Burton Hilton, CFP®
Financial Advisor
Phone:
(212) 401-0544(212) 401-0544
The HKS Group at Morgan Stanley
Our Mission Statement
We are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best-In-State Wealth Management Team for 2024 and 2025.
Our Story
At The HKS Group at Morgan Stanley, we are committed to providing objective advice, world-class services and a proactive service model to individuals, families and institutions. We seek to accomplish this through building trust and developing strategies to help you preserve and grow your financial assets.
As our relationship broadens, we hope you’ll come to regard us as trusted stewards, here to help you make informed decisions on any financial challenge you face. We are committed to helping you execute and refine your customized strategy to reflect new priorities, while aligning with your financial goals and established values.
We are pleased to have earned a spot on the prestigious ranking of 2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams.
2024-2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2024-2025). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award.
As our relationship broadens, we hope you’ll come to regard us as trusted stewards, here to help you make informed decisions on any financial challenge you face. We are committed to helping you execute and refine your customized strategy to reflect new priorities, while aligning with your financial goals and established values.
We are pleased to have earned a spot on the prestigious ranking of 2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams.
2024-2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2024-2025). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award.
Services Include
- Alternative InvestmentsFootnote1
- Asset Management
- Business Succession PlanningFootnote2
- Divorce Financial AnalysisFootnote3
- Endowments and FoundationsFootnote4
- Estate Planning StrategiesFootnote5
- Executive Financial ServicesFootnote6
- Financial PlanningFootnote7
- LGBT+ Planning ServicesFootnote8
- Retirement PlanningFootnote9
- Sustainable InvestingFootnote10
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
Experience
We are an integrated team of experienced professionals with complementary strengths and a cohesive goals-based outlook. Together, we deliver the personalized experience you would expect from a small investment boutique, supported by the world-class resources of a global powerhouse. We work seamlessly to provide exceptional service, objective guidance and process-driven strategies.
Over the years, through our experience and commitment to professional development, we have cultivated skills in alternative investments and a suite of highly sophisticated institutional services. We have also developed a strong understanding of economics, and are well versed in the equity and fixed income markets. Most importantly, we take pride in our ability to effectively communicate advanced concepts in easy to understand language. All too often, fear drives financial decisions, becoming a major reason why many financial plans fail. We help our clients go beyond the noise of the marketplace to stay focused on the plans to help strengthen and preserve their wealth.
We come to work every day engaged in making a real difference in the lives of our clients. We believe you will not find a team of professionals more committed to helping you achieve your financial goals. We are dedicated to helping you preserve and build your wealth and will work to help strengthen your financial success for generations to come.
Over the years, through our experience and commitment to professional development, we have cultivated skills in alternative investments and a suite of highly sophisticated institutional services. We have also developed a strong understanding of economics, and are well versed in the equity and fixed income markets. Most importantly, we take pride in our ability to effectively communicate advanced concepts in easy to understand language. All too often, fear drives financial decisions, becoming a major reason why many financial plans fail. We help our clients go beyond the noise of the marketplace to stay focused on the plans to help strengthen and preserve their wealth.
We come to work every day engaged in making a real difference in the lives of our clients. We believe you will not find a team of professionals more committed to helping you achieve your financial goals. We are dedicated to helping you preserve and build your wealth and will work to help strengthen your financial success for generations to come.
Working With You
We believe the best relationships are built on trust, understanding and shared values. We also believe a disciplined investment philosophy and process are critical to achieving your goals. To that end, we are committed to the following core values that serve as the foundation of our practice:
- A Deep Passion for Helping People. We are dedicated to building longstanding relationships, based on trust and integrity. We do this by working with a select group of clients. We guide them through each challenge by maintaining a close relationship, and by providing the experience and strategies designed to help keep them on course to achieve their specific financial goals
- A Team Approach. We have assembled a group of highly skilled professionals whose number one priority is you. As your wealth managers, we review your complete financial picture and help identify any gaps. When appropriate, we consult with key professionals to evaluate your unique challenges and devise specific recommendations.
- A Thoughtful, Disciplined Process. Markets are irrational and exuberant. Chasing short-term gains can often result in bad decisions. We avoid recommendations based on fear or greed>
- Thought Leadership. We are dedicated to providing you with ongoing, current perspectives from industry thought leaders in such areas as the geopolitical landscape, the regulatory environment and alternative investment disciplines.
- Proactive, Concierge Services. Our clients deserve – and expect – a team of professionals who shares their vision, anticipates their needs and strives to create a customized experience. They have come to depend on our deep understanding of the world’s markets and our commitment to an ongoing dialogue to help ensure clarity and comprehension.
- Multi-Generational Relationships. We seek to work with individuals and families as their financial advisor for years, and even generations. Our hope is for every client to feel proud to recommend our services to their closest friends and family.
Clients
Our clients are much more than a portfolio of assets – they are people with active lives, who seek a team of advisers who will provide thorough and objective guidance on a full range of financial topics. When you work with us, you will be treated with respect, care and an unwavering commitment to assess and address your financial priorities.
Over the years, we have developed a strong and active practice that includes a broad range of clients who need professional guidance and assistance with the following activities:
- Approaching a life-changing event with confidence, such as the transition to retirement, the sale of a business or the loss of a spouse
- Financing a major acquisition, including the purchase of a new property or expansion of a business
- Minimizing taxes through advanced asset management solutions
- Integrating their retirement assets and executive benefits provided by their company into their overall investment strategy
- Achieving long-term charitable and philanthropic goals
Our clients include:
- Multi-generational families
- Family offices and family foundations
- Corporate executives and business leaders
- Retirees and individuals planning for retirement
- Children and parents of current clients
- Corporations, institutions and endowments
- While each client has a unique personal and professional situation, collectively they all have one thing in common: they are focused on achieving very specific financial goals, so they may achieve their financial future and pursue their personal passions.
- Business owners/founders
- Individuals transitioning through divorce
Location
55 East 52nd Street 10th
Fl
New York, NY 10055
US
9665 Wilshire Blvd,
Suite 600
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
US
Direct:
(310) 285-2600(310) 285-2600
Meet The HKS Group
Debbie Schwartz
Financial Advisor
Phone:
(310) 285-4803(310) 285-4803
Dana Sypniewski
Assistant Vice President, Business Development Associate
Phone:
(212) 401-0547(212) 401-0547
About Burton Hilton
Burt began his financial services career at Salomon Brothers in 1986. For ten years, he worked in derivatives institutional sales covering corporations, insurance companies and government agencies. In this role, Burt developed comprehensive risk management and financing strategies in the fixed income, currency and equity capital and derivative markets. Burt later became a Director in the Private Bank Division of Citigroup where he ran the Equity Derivatives Desk. In this capacity, he was responsible for hedging and monetization for clients’ concentrated stock holdings as well as portfolio hedging and overlay applications. In 2008, Burt joined the Credit Suisse Private Bank and Wealth Management until 2015 when he moved to Morgan Stanley.
Burt sits on the Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich.
He holds a B.S. in Finance from University of Connecticut and an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Burt sits on the Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich.
He holds a B.S. in Finance from University of Connecticut and an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Securities Agent: TX, PA, NV, MA, WA, VA, UT, TN, SC, RI, OR, OH, NY, NJ, NC, MD, LA, IL, FL, DC, CT, CA, AZ, AL, CO; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1460461
NMLS#: 1460461
About Debbie Schwartz
Debbie brings more than 15 years of investment banking and legal experience to her financial advisory practice.
Before becoming a financial advisor, Debbie spent seven years in senior investment banking roles, advising executives of public companies, private-equity firms and closely held businesses on mergers & acquisitions and corporate finance. She also has an extensive background working with private companies and their founders, helping them raise capital and navigate strategic options for their businesses.
Prior to her career in investment banking, Debbie practiced corporate law as an attorney in NYC.
She received a B.A. in economics from Barnard College, a J.D. from NYU Law School and an M.B.A. with honors in finance from Columbia Business School, where she was an economics teaching assistant and was elected to the prestigious Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society.
Debbie currently serves as a member of the Advisory Council for the Masters in Wealth Management Program at Columbia University.
Before becoming a financial advisor, Debbie spent seven years in senior investment banking roles, advising executives of public companies, private-equity firms and closely held businesses on mergers & acquisitions and corporate finance. She also has an extensive background working with private companies and their founders, helping them raise capital and navigate strategic options for their businesses.
Prior to her career in investment banking, Debbie practiced corporate law as an attorney in NYC.
She received a B.A. in economics from Barnard College, a J.D. from NYU Law School and an M.B.A. with honors in finance from Columbia Business School, where she was an economics teaching assistant and was elected to the prestigious Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society.
Debbie currently serves as a member of the Advisory Council for the Masters in Wealth Management Program at Columbia University.
Securities Agent: RI, PA, LA, UT, CO, WA, TX, NY, SC, NV, OR, NJ, MA, CT, TN, IL, DC, OH, NC, MD, FL, CA, AZ, AL, VA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1489612
NMLS#: 1489612
About Dana Sypniewski
Dana is responsible for client on-boarding and account maintenance. Dana is often the first line of contact for clients on a wide array of services. She assists with updates on existing accounts, requests for fund disbursements and cash management services.
Through ongoing outreach and communication, Dana leads a number of important aspects of the Group’s business management, marketing and client servicing activities, helping gain a deeper understanding of each client’s set of priorities.
Dana holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities licenses.
Prior to joining Morgan Stanley in 2015, Dana worked at Credit Suisse for three years.
Dana holds in a B.A. in communications from Monmouth University where she was a member of the Dance Team.
Through ongoing outreach and communication, Dana leads a number of important aspects of the Group’s business management, marketing and client servicing activities, helping gain a deeper understanding of each client’s set of priorities.
Dana holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities licenses.
Prior to joining Morgan Stanley in 2015, Dana worked at Credit Suisse for three years.
Dana holds in a B.A. in communications from Monmouth University where she was a member of the Dance Team.
Contact Burton Hilton
Contact Debbie Schwartz
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office
Portfolio Insights
Ready to start a conversation? Contact The HKS 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.
1Alternative 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.
For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.
2Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or 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 legal matters.
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, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.
4Morgan 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, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.
5Morgan 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.
6Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or 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 legal matters.
7Morgan 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.
8Morgan 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.
9When 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.
10The returns on a portfolio consisting primarily of Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) aware investments may be lower or higher than a portfolio that is more diversified or where decisions are based solely on investment considerations. Because ESG criteria exclude some investments, investors may not be able to take advantage of the same opportunities or market trends as investors that do not use such criteria. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss in a declining financial market.
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
1Alternative 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.
For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.
2Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or 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 legal matters.
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, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.
4Morgan 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, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.
5Morgan 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.
6Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or 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 legal matters.
7Morgan 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.
8Morgan 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.
9When 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.
10The returns on a portfolio consisting primarily of Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) aware investments may be lower or higher than a portfolio that is more diversified or where decisions are based solely on investment considerations. Because ESG criteria exclude some investments, investors may not be able to take advantage of the same opportunities or market trends as investors that do not use such criteria. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss in a declining financial market.
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)
