Making Your Goals Our Focus

Whether you are looking for guidance on portfolio management, retirement, wealth transfer or legacy planning, The LLL Group will work with you to explore your goals and translate them into a customized wealth management strategy that helps bring you closer to your personal definition of success.

Drawing on more than 70 years of combined investment management experience, The LLL Group will help you make sense of what's happening in the markets and how it applies to your unique situation. Beyond investment advice, we offer guidance and comprehensive solutions for every aspect of your financial life. We also serve as your financial quarterback, collaborating with your accountant and attorney to ensure that every member of your trusted advisory team is on the same page.

Our deep roots at Morgan Stanley are a testament to the longevity, consistency and stability we bring to our relationship with you. With our strong belief in loyalty, integrity and open dialogue, we strive to transcend the financial and support you and your family through all of life's important milestones.

- Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams list for 2024 & 2025
- [Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Jan 2024) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award.
(https://www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/awards-disclosure/)]
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Working With You

Our goal for every client begins with a simple mission: how can we best serve you? Through our years of experience, our process implements a highly customized strategy focused on helping you achieve your financial priorities.

We follow this disciplined process that allows us to work with you to craft a solution that helps meet your individual needs. This process aligns our efforts with your interests, providing a road map focused on what is most important to you.
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    Step 1: Introduction
    Similar to your first visit to a doctor, we need to understand your history and what issues are most important to you and your family. Our initial contacts are meant to assess need and risk tolerances. We introduce you to the Morgan Stanley platform, our capabilities, and competencies so you understand how our offerings can serve your needs. This serves as the foundation for our relationship.
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    Step 2: Going Further
    We aspire to growing knowledge and understanding of your financial circumstances so we can assess opportunities that will fit your lifestyle and investment needs. Whether it’s through our portfolio management advisory programs or a more traditional approach, we research the investment opportunities that best align with your goals. We then create a customized long term plan to best preserve and grow your wealth.
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    Step 3: Transition
    Once you are ready to begin working with our team, we initiate the transition to Morgan Stanley. To make the process as seamless as possible for you, we prepare the necessary documentation based upon your personal situation and where your assets are held. We then communicate with you throughout the onboarding process to ensure your accounts are established correctly.
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    Step 4: Setting You Up
    Once the transition to Morgan Stanley is completed, we will introduce you to the assortment of digital tools and resources available to help you check the status and progress of your accounts at your convenience. We utilize the latest technology in our digital applications to provide you with secure access to your personal financial information.
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    Step 5: Our Commitment To You
    We treat you like family. Our focus is on the future. Our years of experience have allowed us to better understand capital markets so that we can intelligently position you through each market cycle, and make informed decisions in the present seeking to create a better future for you and your family.

Customized Solutions

As your wealth grows, do does its complexities and the resources needed to manage it effectively. We leverage our experience and relationships to deliver innovative strategies that are tailored to your needs. We look forward to speaking with you to understand your challenges, so we may map out a strategy to achieve your particular priorities and goals.
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    Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®)
    CFP® professionals have met extensive training and experience requirements, and commit to CFP Board's ethical standards that require them to put their clients' interests first.

    Michael and Joseph hold this designation
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    Financial Planning
    The cornerstone of an effective wealth management plan is comprehensive financial planning, which captures your goals, resources and expectations for the future. Effective planning can potentially lead to successful education and retirement income funding. It helps eliminate blind spots and helps ensure legacy goals are met.
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    Retirement Planning
    One of our key areas of strength is helping you prepare for and thrive in retirement. From IRAs to RMDs, we manage the complexities of your comprehensive retirement plan assets, helping you easily transition to the next phase of your life with security and confidence.
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    Asset Management
    Based on your goals, assets and input, we create an investment strategy tailored to your unique needs.
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    Wealth Management
    Wealth Management brings all the dimensions of your life together. We listen carefully to understand the connections across your personal life, your family, your career and your legacy goals to develop an integrated strategy that is uniquely yours.
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    Tax Strategies for Your Retirement
    Smart tax planning can help you save more for retirement and keep more of what you’ve already saved. Consider these tax-efficient retirement planning strategies.
    Read Here for Retirement Strategies
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    2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
    Each year, Forbes Magazine releases a list of hand-selected and ranked advisors. In order to make this list, advisors must be nominated by their firm, researched, interviewed, and assigned a rank by SHOOK Research.

    The LLL Group has made the list of Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams for 2025.

    Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Jan 2025) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based for the period from 3/31/23–3/31/24.
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    2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
    Each year, Forbes Magazine releases a list of hand-selected and ranked advisors. In order to make this list, advisors must be nominated by their firm, researched, interviewed, and assigned a rank by SHOOK Research.

    The LLL Group has made the list of Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams for 2024.


    Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Jan 2024) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based for the period from 3/31/22–3/31/23.

Morgan Stanley Knowledge Center

Here at Morgan Stanley, we strive to simplify complex financial ideas so that our clients understand what is being done on their behalf to plan for their financial future. We are firm believers of giving our clients as many resources as possible so they can stay informed about the latest market trends, outlooks, and breakdowns. Morgan Stanley seeks to make complex financial ideas more digestible so that our clients understand what is being done on their behalf to plan for their financial future, and why. The links below provide detailed analysis on interesting topics that are affecting the finance and business worlds.
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    Thoughts on the Market
    With perspectives on the forces shaping the market, join Mike Wilson, Chief Investment Officer and Chief US Equity Strategist for Morgan Stanley, as he and his colleagues discuss a variety of viewpoints regarding the latest trends in the financial marketplace.
    Listen here
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    Global Investment Committee on the Markets
    A monthly publication that summarizes the Global Investment Committee’s market outlook and contains thought-provoking essays that examine the forces shaping the investment landscape. Check out this month's edition below.
    Read: "GIC on the Markets"
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    GIC Weekly
    The Global Investment Committee's Lisa Shalett headlines this weekly look at markets, asset class performance and fixed income. Click the link below to read the full report.
    Read: "GIC Weekly"
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    Your Guide to Tax-Efficient Planning
    The tax decisions you make today can help you save for years to come. Consider these smart tax strategies for your financial plan. Utilizing these strategies can help you enjoy more of your nest egg.
    Learn more here

Location

55 East 52nd Street 10th
Fl
New York, NY 10055
US
Direct:
(212) 603-6265(212) 603-6265
Toll-Free:
(800) 843-0211(800) 843-0211

Meet The LLL Group

About Jonathan S Leopold

Since joining Morgan Stanley in 1987, Jonathan Leopold has focused on helping clients identify and implement income replacement strategies as they transition from the workforce to retirement. He believes that, when it comes to finances, there is no one size fits all solution - every client relationship is unique and comes with its own set of challenges. To that end, Jonathan helps clients create customized plans for managing and protecting the wealth they've worked so hard to achieve.

Through his career, Jonathan has guided clients through bull and bear markets, and this experience has given him an informed perspective of how people perceive and tolerate risk. Having spent his entire career at Morgan Stanley, he is well positioned to help clients access the breadth of resources and intelligence at the firm for their wealth management needs.

Jonathan earned his B.A. in economics from the George Washington University.

Master’s Club Member, 2010-2017, 2019-2021
Securities Agent: NC, HI, UT, SC, RI, OH, MS, CT, WA, VI, PR, NY, NM, KS, WY, DE, CA, NV, MT, MA, LA, IL, DC, WV, VA, TX, PA, ID, GA, TN, OK, NH, MN, MI, ME, IA, CO, OR, NJ, MD, VT, WI, MO, FL, AZ; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Transactional Futures/Commodities; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1275695

About Michael A Leopold

With more than 40 years of investment management experience, Michael Leopold focuses on helping multigenerational families develop wealth management and wealth transfer strategies that preserve their lifestyle while maximizing their long-term wealth. He believes strongly in interactive advisor-client relationships that allow him to collaborate with clients to coordinate the important aspects of their lives, allowing them to focus on their passions and interests.

Michael has a broad range of capital markets experience. He began his Wall Street career as a trader with Goldman Sachs in the early 1980s, which helped him gain valuable insight into the variables that influence the world financial markets. He combines this insight with this experience and training as a CERTIFIED FINANICAL PLANNER (CFP) to help clients create a roadmap for achieving their goals.

Michael holds dual degrees in Finance and Marketing from Boston University and earned his CFP designation in 2007.

Master’s Club Member 2010 - 2021
Securities Agent: MD, ID, FL, TN, VT, TX, MS, DE, AZ, WY, UT, RI, NV, NJ, CO, WV, VI, MI, SC, OR, MT, ME, LA, KS, CT, WI, WA, PA, NC, MN, HI, OH, IL, IA, DC, CA, OK, NH, MO, GA, VA, MA, PR, NY, NM; BM/Supervisor; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Transactional Futures/Commodities; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1273026

About Frank/Henderson

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP®), Joe has extensive knowledge of investment planning, retirement planning, estate planning, insurance, and income tax planning. With almost two decades of industry experience, Joe leverages his extensive knowledge and background by providing comprehensive wealth management solutions to his clients using advanced financial planning strategies.

Through his consultative approach and genuine empathy, Joe has earned his clients’ confidence throughout all market conditions. He communicates regularly with his clients and creates strong relationships built on trust and attention to detail. He considers your financial life from every angle to provide you with the guidance and tools to help build and preserve your wealth and financial legacy.

Promoting financial education to the "next generation," is a passion of Joe’s. He provides financial education to family members, and the children, and of his clients. He also delivers mentorship events for college students who are interested in learning about the Wealth Management industry in New York.

Joe lives in Staten Island, New York with his wife Christie and their three boys: Louis, Anthony, and Joseph. He enjoys traveling, playing golf, and coaching his children’s basketball and flag football teams. He is well regarded in the local community where he volunteers with the Knights of Columbus and is active in his parish Our Lady Star of the Sea.
Securities Agent: CA, SC, VI, OH, MS, TX, NM, LA, NV, MO, KS, CO, WV, RI, IL, WI, PR, MN, AZ, OK, ME, HI, DC, CT, WA, NY, NJ, NC, MI, MD, TN, NH, GA, VT, VA, UT, PA, OR, MA, FL, DE; BM/Supervisor; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 2016128

About David Schrage

As the point person for day-to-day client interaction, David focuses on delivering the attentive, personalized service our clients expect from us. His ability to follow up and follow through on client questions and concerns helps them to feel confident about their decisions. David believes in setting clear expectations and educating clients by presenting complex concepts in everyday language. His goal is to make the wealth management experience seamless, so our clients can focus on the people, interests and activities that enrich their lives.

After earning his B.A. in Finance from Touro College, David began his career as an Accountant, where his primary focus was financial statement analysis. In this capacity, David gained an in depth aptitude for analytics and a hands on approach to problem solving. He then transitioned to Morgan Stanley, taking on the new challenges of Wealth Management.

Originally from Los Angeles, David lives in Brooklyn, where he enjoys running, hiking and traveling.

About Sam Leopold

Sam is a Registered Associate for the LLL Group. He graduated from the University of Maryland in 2013. He then began his professional career in media sales at Altice in New York city before moving into various sales and account management positions within the digital marketing industry.

Sam joined the Leopold group in 2019 and holds the Series 7 and 66 registrations. Sam manages the onboarding process for new clients while providing an all-encompassing white glove service to existing clients and their families.

Sam currently resides in New York city where he enjoys travelling through the five boroughs and participating in weekend sports.
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

Retirement

Working with you to understand your life goals and develop a personalized wealth strategy. Today and for the years to come.
  • 401(k) Rollovers
  • IRA Plans
  • Retirement income strategies
  • Retirement plan participants
  • Annuities
4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts
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4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts

Discover how planning for required minimum distributions from retirement accounts can help you fund future needs and support loved ones.

Investing

Working closely with you to guide your wealth and investments through the most challenging market cycles.
  • Asset Management
  • Wealth Planning
  • Traditional Investments
  • Alternative Investments
  • Impact Investing
2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth
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2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth

Global growth is likely to be around 3% in 2025 and 2026, as tariff and immigration policies begin to slow the U.S. economy late next year, and China's underperformance restrains emerging markets.

Family

Creating customized financial strategies for the challenges that today’s families face.
  • Estate Planning Strategies
  • 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • Special Needs Planning
  • Trust Services
Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse
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Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse

Financial planning after a divorce or death can be trying, but with the right approach and the right advice you can turn a difficult situation into empowerment.

Business Planning

Helping you on key aspects of your business such as ownership, liquidity and developing opportunities.
  • Succession Planning
  • Business Planning
  • Qualified Retirement Plans
Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business
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Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business

Selling your business can mean big changes for your life, both personally and financially. Know how to make the most of your windfall.

Philanthropy

Making sure your philanthropic dollars are managed with the same high quality service as the rest of your wealth.
  • Endowments
  • Foundations
  • Donor Advised Funds
  • Impact Investing
Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving 
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Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving 

There’s more to charitable giving than you may realize. Here’s one method that may be a tax-efficient way to give and can help maximize your impact.

Financial Wellness

Enhancing Financial Wellness enables your workforce to do their best work. Companies that invest in financial wellness have an opportunity to:
  • Reduce employee stress,
  • Improve retention and engagement, and
  • Set themselves apart by offering comprehensive financial wellness benefits.
The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce
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The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce

In the face of turbulent markets, the word “resilience” may be top of mind. Broadly speaking, resilience is the ability to “bounce back” when encountering life’s inevitable challenges.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact The LLL Group today.
Market Information Delayed 20 Minutes
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

1Annuities are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.

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2Alternative Investments are speculative and include a high degree of risk. An investor could lose all or a substantial amount of his/her investment. Alternative investments are appropriate only for qualified, long-term investors who are willing to forgo liquidity and put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time.

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3Morgan Stanley offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences or review our Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships brochure available at www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.

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4Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a registered Broker/Dealer, Member SIPC, and not a bank. Where appropriate, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has entered into arrangements with banks and other third parties to assist in offering certain banking related products and services.

Investment, insurance and annuity products offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC are: NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

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5Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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6Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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7Morgan Stanley’s investment advisory programs may require a minimum asset level and, depending on your specific investment objectives and financial position, may not be appropriate for you. Please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC program disclosure brochure (the “Morgan Stanley ADV”) for more information in the investment advisory programs available. The Morgan Stanley ADV is available at www.morganstanley.com/ADV.

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8When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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9Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.

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Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.

The information, products and services described here are intended only for individuals residing in states where this Financial Advisor is properly registered as described in this site.

Morgan Stanley reserves the right, to the extent permitted under applicable law, to retain and monitor all electronic communications. Morgan Stanley will not accept purchase or sale orders via any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. Morgan Stanley does not endorse and is not responsible and assumes no liability for content, products or services posted by third-parties on any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. All electronic communications are subject to terms available at the following link:
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclaimers/mswm-email.html. Any profiles and associated content are for U.S. residents only.

The securities/instruments, services, investments and investment strategies discussed in this material may not be appropriate for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment, investment strategy or service will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments, strategies and services, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor or Private Wealth Advisor. This material does not provide individually tailored investment advice. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) is not implying an affiliation, sponsorship, endorsement with/of the third party or that any monitoring is being done by Morgan Stanley of any information contained within the website. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information contained on the third-party website or the use of or inability to use such site. Nor do we guarantee their accuracy or completeness.

The views, opinions or advice contained within third party websites or materials are solely those of the author, who is not a Morgan Stanley employee, and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, or its affiliates. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be appropriate for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.

*References to length of service at Morgan Stanley include years at Morgan Stanley and predecessor firms.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

The use of the CDFA designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney.  The CDFA designation is not intended to imply that either Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors are acting as experts in this field.

Awards Disclosures
CRC 6491812 (04/2024)