Our Story and Services

Welcome to the Shandling Group at Morgan Stanley!

The Shandling Group is a family team of financial advisors with almost 60 years of combined experience. Previously a licensed CPA (currently non-practicing), Martin began his financial advisory career in 1984, while his sons Ari and Danny joined him in 2010 and 2014 respectively. In August 2022 the Shandling Group was recruited by Morgan Stanley in Beverly Hills and has been able to even further enhance their service to their valued clients. The Shandling Group brings experience, integrity and knowledge to their clients in the Southern California area (as well as in New York, Florida and elsewhere across the country.) Martin, Ari, and Danny care deeply for their clients and are willing to go the extra step to assist them in achieving their financial goals.

The Shandling's pride themselves on their ability to provide customized attention to their client’s needs, understand their life goals and aspirations, and design solutions to their financial challenges, both simple and complex. As Los Angeles residents, they are deeply connected to their local community, with current involvement in several very worthwhile charities, in a variety of very competitive softball and basketball leagues and within the USC alumni network.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
    Morgan Stanley Online
    Morgan Stanley Online
    Morgan Stanley Online allows you to seamlessly and securely manage your investments and everyday finances in one place.
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    Total Tax 365
    Total Tax 365
    Taxes can be a substantial drag on investment returns. Morgan Stanley Total Tax 365 offers access to a broad range of tax-efficient strategies to help you integrate tax planning into your investment process all year long, maximize portfolio after-tax return potential and help keep more of what you earn.
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    Alternative Investments
    Alternative Investments
    Our leading alternatives platform offers 200+ third-party and proprietary funds, including first look and exclusive opportunities, that may help qualified investors enhance returns, reduce volatility, manage taxes and generate income—while maintaining a goals-based approach for asset allocation.
    Morgan Stanley Alternative Investments
    Digital Vault
    Digital Vault
    Digital Vault lets you easily and securely manage and share important documents such as account statements, authorizations, tax filings and other relevant documents with your Financial Advisor.
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    eDelivery
    eDelivery
    Sign up for eDelivery today and start receiving email notifications as soon as your account documents are available on Morgan Stanley Online or the Morgan Stanley Mobile App. It's quick, convenient & secure.
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    Security Center
    Security Center
    Learn about our latest security measures, how we are safeguarding your assets and personal information and find actionable insights and resources on important cybersecurity topics to enhance your own online security.
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Our Commitment to Clients

When you work with the Shandling Group, you are working with people dedicated to you and your future. We use our expertise and knowledge to build custom tailored strategies that will help achieve your goals and have you prepared for any unexpected challenges that may arise. You will be getting an advocate for your future dedicated to understanding all facets of your life. Under Morgan Stanley, our Group offers access to world class thought leaders, modern wealth management tools and a full suite of services to ensure that we can service your needs, regardless of what they may be.

Our clients include people with a diverse background of skill sets, including accomplished entrepreneurs, exceptional medical and dental professionals, successful entertainers, skilled executives, business professionals, and many retirees. They are creative, ambitious, and good-hearted. Our clients understand the risks of capital markets and trust us to have the skills to protect and grow their wealth for the next generation.

Our commitment to our clients is to go above and beyond. When you join us, you join our family. We take the extra step in helping our clients understand wealth management complexities in order to achieve their wealth goals through investing. Whether you are looking to build or protect your legacy, we are here to provide sophisticated investment and tax strategies, financial planning, and expertise to help you fulfill your aspirations.

    Location

    9665 Wilshire Blvd
    Suite 600
    Beverly Hills, CA 90212
    US
    Direct:
    (310) 285-2600(310) 285-2600

    Meet The Shandling Group

    About Me

    Ari was born and raised in Los Angeles. He attended YULA High school and graduated from USC with a degree in Business. During this time Ari joined the semi-pro PCBL (Pacific Coast Baseball League) where he played from 2006-2018 against many former college players, minor league players and some former major league players. Upon graduating in 2009 Ari joined his father, Martin, where he became a portfolio manager in 2014 and rapidly grew the managed portion of the business.

    Ari is married to Ariela, a speech language pathologist. They have three incredible children—Orly (7), Gabi (4) and Sammy (2).
    Securities Agent: NC, AZ, PA, MA, HI, CO, NJ, MT, MI, AR, FL, WA, OH, OR, IL, CA, TX, NV, MD, GA, TN, NY; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
    NMLS#: 558604
    CA Insurance License #: 0I45255

    About Me

    Danny joined Morgan Stanley in 2022 after eight years at Merrill Lynch. He focuses on new client relationships as well as financial and retirement planning for existing clients. In 2016, Danny obtained his Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) certification. He previously worked as a senior associate at Ernst & Young LLP (EY), where he specialized in conducting audits for both private and publicly-traded companies in the banking and capital markets space. Danny obtained his CPA license during this three years at EY. He graduated Cum Laude from USC’s Leventhal School of Accounting and was also a member of the Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity while at USC.

    Danny was born and raised in Los Angeles. During his free time, he enjoys traveling, playing softball, and playing rec league basketball twice a week
    Securities Agent: MT, GA, OR, NV, NJ, HI, AZ, MA, TX, NY, IL, CA, AR, MD, FL, CO, WA, TN, OH, PA, NC, MI; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
    NMLS#: 1278044
    CA Insurance License #: 0K05554

    About Martin R. Shandling

    Martin grew up in Cape Town, South Africa, one of the most scenic cities in the world. After attending college, he qualified as a Chartered Accountant and worked for 5 years for a major auditing firm. At the age of 27, he immigrated to Los Angeles where he worked for (then) Ernst and Ernst while obtaining his CPA license. In 1979 he joined the regional brokerage firm of Morgan, Olmstead, Kennedy and Gardner Inc. as their Controller and later Chief Financial Officer. In 1984 Martin joined Merrill Lynch as a Financial Advisor where he built his book and spent 38 years. His sons Ari and Danny joined him in the practice in 2009 and 2014 respectively.

    Martin has been married to his wife Klara for over 38 years, and they live in Beverlywood. His interests include playing tennis, playing popular songs on the piano, and participating in a monthly low-stakes poker game. Martin has been involved with the Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles, The Guardians for the Jewish Home for the Aging and was President of his Synagogue in Beverly Hills (Beth Jacob) back in 2004/2005. Currently he is very involved with Beit Issie Shapiro in Israel, a world class facility dedicated to helping children with extreme physical and/or mental disabilities. Martin’s greatest joys are watching his sons, the current Shandling Group team leaders, playing competitive softball, basketball and baseball in various leagues, and of course enjoying his beautiful grandchildren, Orly, Gabi and Sammy.

    About Ruben O. Rubio

    Ruben is the primary CSA for the Shandling Group. He has been in the support professional role for over 6 years, previously at Merrill Lynch and with Bank of America for 5 years in the Financial Center. Ruben graduated from California State University Northridge Majoring in Marketing in 2017, where he was VP of Recruitment for his Fraternity Zeta Beta Tau.

    Ruben grew up in the South Bay and currently lives in Torrance. He loves hiking, powerlifting, and going out to music festivals. He has a beautiful daughter, Elise, who continues to amaze him with her sarcasm and wit at 5 years old.
    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
    Article Image

    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 
    Article Image

    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
    Article Image

    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 Shandling Group today.
    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.

    1Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.

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

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    2When 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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    3Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters.

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    4Morgan 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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    5Morgan 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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    6Annuities are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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    7Alternative 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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    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 always check with their tax or legal advisor before engaging in any transaction involving 529 Plans, Education Savings Accounts and other tax-advantaged investments.

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    9Municipal bonds may not be appropriate for all investors. Income generated from an investment in a municipal bond is generally exempt from federal income taxes. Some income may be subject to state and local taxes and to the federal alternative minimum tax. Capital gains, if any, are subject to tax.
    Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) and its Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide any tax/legal advice. Consult your own tax/legal advisor before making any tax or legal-related investment decisions.

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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)