James Walker Jr.
Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor, Global Sports and Entertainment Director, Senior Portfolio Management Director, Senior Investment Management Consultant
Phone:
(845) 485-2801(845) 485-2801
The Walker/Gaffney Group at Morgan Stanley
Direct:
(845) 485-2836(845) 485-2836
Toll-Free:
(800) 634-0575(800) 634-0575
Industry Award WinnerOur Mission Statement
We marry values, experience, and superior service to provide complete financial care, customized advice, and portfolio management. Helping you achieve your life goals is our priority.
Our Story and Services
We believe it is an honor and a privilege to provide our clients with complete and customized financial care: personalized strategies designed to help detect blind spots, put children through school, retire comfortably, support critical causes and leave a legacy based on deeply held values. Nurturing enduring relationships is one of our core values. We have found that connecting with our clients on a personal level facilitates strong relationships with clear and open communication.
Another core value is our belief that diversity and inclusion make our world a better place for everybody. For over two decades, we have focused on helping women and members of the LGBTQ community understand the factors likely to affect their finances and long-term plans. Rita supports the Grace Smith House (a non-profit domestic violence agency), as well as educating women’s groups on personal finance through her involvement in the local Women’s Enterprise Development Center, which empowers women entrepreneurs to build successful small businesses.
Through Jim’s work on Morgan Stanley’s National Diversity Council, he helps to create and execute programs that provide opportunities for all clients to succeed. Jim has been honored with awards for his work on the Council and is a member of the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Center board.
We marry five-decades of cumulative experience and training with award-winning technology as we work with you to create the roadmap for your life and legacy goals: Sophisticated analytical tools aid to drive solutions to help you create, maintain and distribute wealth.
Our team plays a pivotal role in the Global Sports and Entertainment sector, offering tailored financial solutions to help meet the unique needs of athletes, entertainers, and industry professionals. With a deep understanding of the complexities and opportunities within this dynamic field, our advisors provide strategic guidance on wealth management, investment planning, and risk mitigation. We are committed to helping our clients navigate the financial intricacies of their careers, ensuring they can focus on their passions. Our experience extends beyond traditional financial services, encompassing personalized advice that aligns with the distinct lifestyle and career trajectories of our clients in the sports and entertainment industries.
Our singular focus is helping you achieve near and long-term objectives that support the kind of life you want to live, and the legacy you want to leave.
Another core value is our belief that diversity and inclusion make our world a better place for everybody. For over two decades, we have focused on helping women and members of the LGBTQ community understand the factors likely to affect their finances and long-term plans. Rita supports the Grace Smith House (a non-profit domestic violence agency), as well as educating women’s groups on personal finance through her involvement in the local Women’s Enterprise Development Center, which empowers women entrepreneurs to build successful small businesses.
Through Jim’s work on Morgan Stanley’s National Diversity Council, he helps to create and execute programs that provide opportunities for all clients to succeed. Jim has been honored with awards for his work on the Council and is a member of the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Center board.
We marry five-decades of cumulative experience and training with award-winning technology as we work with you to create the roadmap for your life and legacy goals: Sophisticated analytical tools aid to drive solutions to help you create, maintain and distribute wealth.
Our team plays a pivotal role in the Global Sports and Entertainment sector, offering tailored financial solutions to help meet the unique needs of athletes, entertainers, and industry professionals. With a deep understanding of the complexities and opportunities within this dynamic field, our advisors provide strategic guidance on wealth management, investment planning, and risk mitigation. We are committed to helping our clients navigate the financial intricacies of their careers, ensuring they can focus on their passions. Our experience extends beyond traditional financial services, encompassing personalized advice that aligns with the distinct lifestyle and career trajectories of our clients in the sports and entertainment industries.
Our singular focus is helping you achieve near and long-term objectives that support the kind of life you want to live, and the legacy you want to leave.
Services Include
- Retirement PlanningFootnote1
- Financial PlanningFootnote2
- Executive Financial ServicesFootnote3
- Wealth ManagementFootnote4
- Professional Portfolio ManagementFootnote5
- Structured ProductsFootnote6
- Alternative InvestmentsFootnote7
- 401(k) Rollovers
- Estate Planning StrategiesFootnote8
- Trust ServicesFootnote9
- Cash Management and Lending ProductsFootnote10
- Long-term Care InsuranceFootnote11
- LGBT+ Planning ServicesFootnote12
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
INDIVIDUAL PLANS FOR INDIVIDUALS LIKE YOU
Goals you set today will evolve over time. Our process is designed to evolve with them- and with the changing circumstances of your life. Holistic in its approach, our planning process will encompass all the elements of your financial and personal life, making sure they align with your current and future goals.
Leveraging a sophisticated suite of analytical tools, as well as decades of industry experience, our team can help you take charge of your financial future and achieve your goals.
Leveraging a sophisticated suite of analytical tools, as well as decades of industry experience, our team can help you take charge of your financial future and achieve your goals.
Step 1: Learning About You
We begin with a complimentary discovery meeting to understand your family, lifestyle, career and aspirations. After carefully listening to your values, beliefs and priorities, we determine if we can help you achieve your aims.
Lifeview & Goals Based Planning
Working with Morgan Stanley and its advanced wealth management technology is an ideal way to access advice and build a coherent wealth plan. Working together we can uncover your needs, manage risk, and build a customized plan to help you reach your financial goals.
Financial Planning Resources
Step 2: Creating Your Plan
Here, we present a detailed and actionable plan targeting the goals we determined in our initial meeting, and review the tools and systems necessary to achieve these goals. The whole process is collaborate and comprehensive; we will discuss solutions for your retirement, intergenerational wealth transfer, risk management, legacy, philanthropy, and trust and estate plans. Together we will develop an agreement on how we will work together to achieve your goals.
Portfolio Risk Platform - Aladdin
There’s a chance your portfolio may be at risk, but how you manage that risk is what matters. Portfolio Risk Platform – Powered by Aladdin is a risk management platform that provides comprehensive risk estimation and reporting across a broad range of asset classes and security types. This platform provides both an overview and a detailed view to help better enable risk to be effectively monitored and managed.
Seeing the Big Picture
Step 3: Adjusting Your Plan
Within 10 business days, we schedule a follow-up meeting to discuss advanced planning, explore external professional specialists, and launch your investment plan. Then, we adjust your plan as needed based on new circumstances.
Total Tax 365
Total Tax 365 is our full spectrum of year-round, active tax management solutions, tailored to help you minimize tax drag in your portfolio. We offer a comprehensive range of tax-efficient products and solutions to help you manage your tax liability and grow your long-term wealth.
Step 4: Monitoring
There is an ongoing commitment to your comprehensive wealth management plan. We will meet regularly to review your plan, discuss important developments, and asses the progress toward meeting your aims.
Intelligent Withdrawals
Intelligent Withdrawal gives us the ability to look across multiple accounts and products to identify the right combination of securities and tax lots to sell so you can help meet spending needs while making the most out of your hard-earned money.
Intelligent WithdrawalsThe Walker/Gaffney Group Q and A's
What types of clients do you typically work with?
Most of the families we serve come to us the same way, they are introduced to us by an existing client. We typically work with high-net-worth individuals and families, most often pre-retirees and retirees with $2.5 million or more in investable assets. Those who want more than a portfolio. They want a goals-based plan, an investment strategy built around their priorities, time horizon, and risk tolerance, and a team that treats their family's future as if it were our own. Because to us, it is.
What's your mission / what should I expect from your team?
To know your family deeply and steward its wealth the way we've cared for our families for over 30 years. At this level, that means acting as the central point of coordination across your CPA, estate attorney, and other advisors so nothing falls through the cracks. Expect proactive, tax-aware guidance, absolute discretion, and a team that is present at the moments that matter most, from liquidity events to the quiet transitions within a family
How do you build a plan for a new client?
We start by listening, really listening. Before we ever discuss investments, we take the time to understand your current situation, your goals and objectives, your family, your concerns, and your tolerance for risk. Only then do we build recommendations around those inputs. A plan built this way isn't a document; it's a roadmap for your life, and it becomes the standard against which every decision we make together is measured.
What services do you offer beyond investment management?
Wealth is never just about the portfolio; it's about everything the portfolio is for. Beyond investment management, we help clients think through legacy and estate planning, trust related
needs, retirement income strategies, and the major transitions of life, coordinating Morgan Stanley's resources and your outside advisors as appropriate. Our goal is that no important financial question in your life goes without a trusted place to bring it.
How do you approach tax efficiency at this level of wealth?
Tax efficiency is woven into nearly every decision we make, because at significant wealth it is often the difference between a good outcome and a great one. We focus on tax-aware
portfolio construction, thoughtful asset location, strategies for managing concentrated or low-basis positions, and coordinating closely with your tax professionals so your investment strategy and your tax strategy move as one. Our aim is to assist you in keeping and transferring more of what you've built.
How do you help preserve and transfer wealth across generations?
Multigenerational wealth transfer is one of our deepest specialties, because we've walked families through it for decades. We review advanced strategies aimed at reducing estate and gift tax exposure, preserving assets for future generations, and reflecting your wishes, coordinating with your estate attorney throughout. Just as importantly, we aim to prepare the next generation to receive that wealth thoughtfully, through family conversations and education. That so many of our clients today are the grandchildren of our original families are the truest measure of legacy work done with care.
Can you help with trusts and philanthropy?
Yes. Trust and philanthropic needs often arise at a family's most significant moments: a liquidity event, a change in the family, a desire to give back meaningfully. We connect you with Morgan Stanley's corporate trustee partners and philanthropy specialists, and help you weigh vehicles such as donor-advised funds, charitable trusts, and private foundations within your broader plan. And we stay at your side throughout, so you have guidance throughout the process.
Do you provide access to private markets and specialized lending?
Yes. Qualified clients can access Morgan Stanley's platform of alternative investments (including private equity, private credit, and real assets) as suitable within a diversified strategy. We also help families with tailored lending and liquidity solutions through Morgan
Stanley Private Banking, so you can access capital without unnecessarily disrupting your long-term plan or your tax position.
What tools, technology, and exclusive resources will I have access to?
You'll have Morgan Stanley's full suite of digital resources, including Morgan Stanley Online, the Mobile App, and LifeView® planning tools that bring your entire financial picture into one view. Depending on assets with Morgan Stanley, certain families can also access curated lifestyle and family-office services through Morgan Stanley's Signature Access program. And we'll personally guide you through everything, these resources im to asimplify your life rather than complicate it.
Do you provide market and investment insights?
Yes, you'll have access to Morgan Stanley's research and thought leadership, including Global Investment Committee commentary. But we go further: having actively managed portfolios through every major crisis since 1994, we translate that research into what it means for your family and your plan, because at this level, insight only matters when it's personal, tax-aware, and specific to you.
How do you define success — beating the market or meeting goals?
Success has never been about beating a benchmark. It's about your family reaching the outcomes your plan was built to deliver: a retirement lan designed to support your goals, a legacy plan aimed at an efficient transfer, and a philanthropic vision pursued. We measure progress toward your goals and build a disciplined strategy your family can stay committed to across every market cycle, managing risk and reward so your plan holds when it matters most.
How often will we review my plan and portfolio?
As often as your life requires — shaped by your preferences and, above all, by your family's needs. We update your plan when goals change, when a liquidity event or business decision arises, when tax law shifts, when markets move materially, or when something changes within your family. And between reviews, our team is available to assist you. Being present and available at the moments that matter is the heart of how we care for the families we serve.
Valuable Tools and Resources
Our comprehensive suite of digital tools are designed to help enhance every aspect of your financial life. Below are a few of the technologies we have to offer our clients. We have also included resources meant to transform complex financial analysis and research into concise and easily digestible content.
Global Investment Committee Weekly Research Report
The Global Investment Committee's Lisa Shalett headlines this weekly look at markets, asset class performance and fixed income.
Access This Weeks Edition
Global Investment Committee “On the Markets” Report
Every month, Morgan Stanley’s top research analysts publish their “On the Markets” report, providing detailed market commentary on such topics as global equities, fixed income and monetary policy.
Read the Most Recent Report
Disclosures:
Forbes America's Top Women Wealth Advisors & Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In- State
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Feb 2022) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 9/30/20 - 9/30/21.
2012, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 Five Star Wealth Manager Award
Source: fivestarprofessional.com (Awarded 2012, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023) The award was determined based on an evaluation process conducted by Five-Star Professional based on objective criteria. The award was not based on a specific time period.
Forbes America's Top Women Wealth Advisors & Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In- State
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Feb 2022) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 9/30/20 - 9/30/21.
2012, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 Five Star Wealth Manager Award
Source: fivestarprofessional.com (Awarded 2012, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023) The award was determined based on an evaluation process conducted by Five-Star Professional based on objective criteria. The award was not based on a specific time period.
Location
2678 South Rd
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
US
Direct:
(845) 485-2836(845) 485-2836
Toll-Free:
(800) 634-0575(800) 634-0575
Meet The Walker/Gaffney Group
Rita Gaffney-Labarge
Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor, Senior Investment Management Consultant, Senior Portfolio Management Director, Family Wealth Advisor
Phone:
(845) 485-2810(845) 485-2810
About James Walker Jr.
James has always believed in trust, fairness and creating opportunities for success. Growing up, he worked diligently to help turn his family’s awning company into what would eventually become a million-dollar business. Attracted to financial services because of its emphasis on being a trusted advisor, he chose Business as a major during his freshman year in college. He started his career in Goldman Sachs’ fixed income division in 1982.
The metaphor of an awning providing protection was not lost on James. The following year, he joined Merrill Lynch. Over the course of his 26-year career with Merrill Lynch, he held a variety of mid- and senior-level positions – including helping to structure the firm’s first loan to a Chinese company. In his role as a financial advisor, he focused on helping his clients preserve their hard-earned income and better manage the debt on their balance sheets. In 2000, James was promoted to Sales Manager for the Poughkeepsie Complex, with oversight responsibility for more than 300 financial advisors. Today, James is a Global Sports & Entertainment Director, Senior Portfolio Management Director, Senior Investment Management Consultant, and an NFLPA Registered Institutional Financial Advisor.
An ardent believer in continual learning, James has shared his knowledge by mentoring Merrill Lynch trainees and providing TED-like talks on motivation and best practices (e.g., in disciplines such as portfolio management, business development and investment management). From 2000-2010, he conducted guest lectures to upperclassmen in the University of Notre Dame’s School of Engineering. In 2008, James was honored with the Merrill Lynch Diversity Award for outstanding stewardship in the community and financial industry.
In 2000, James combined forces with Rita Gaffney, who was also a highly experienced and credentialed Merrill Lynch financial advisor. Seeking a firm with world-class resources and a commitment to recognizing the changing face of affluence, they joined Morgan Stanley in 2009. The Walker/Gaffney Group now provides comprehensive care to a select client base. Their clients benefit from the Firm’s global resources, extensive capabilities ̶ and equally important ̶ its vision of how diversity and inclusion can benefit everyone.
Through his work on Morgan Stanley’s National Diversity Council, James helps create and execute initiatives that are virtuous circles: opportunities for clients, Financial Advisors and the Firm to succeed. James has been honored with awards for his work on the Council, and holds numerous industry licenses. In recognition of his financial experience, he has received the Firm’s Portfolio Management Director and Senior Investment Management Counselor designations. He is a guest speaker for the Firm’s National Financial Advisor Training Program. In 2018, James was promoted to Resident Manager of the Firm’s office in Poughkeepsie, New York.
Over the last three decades, James has received many accolades for community involvement. He is a strong believer in volunteering with impactful organizations such as the United Way of Dutchess County, Vassar Brothers Medical Center board of trustees, Catherine Street Community Center, the Poughkeepsie Journal, the City of Poughkeepsie Schools Youth Outreach, the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center, and Project Thunder, which provides disadvantaged youth with support systems and life skills that foster academic excellence.
When not volunteering or working to safeguard his clients’ financial futures, he enjoys spending time with his wife Christina and their adult children. James is a wine connoisseur with an extensive collection of vintages, and a member of the Society of Fellows for the Culinary Institute of America. An auto enthusiast and classic car collector as well, James has always appreciated the safety afforded by smart design and precision engineering, much like a well-built awning, or a well-constructed financial plan.
The metaphor of an awning providing protection was not lost on James. The following year, he joined Merrill Lynch. Over the course of his 26-year career with Merrill Lynch, he held a variety of mid- and senior-level positions – including helping to structure the firm’s first loan to a Chinese company. In his role as a financial advisor, he focused on helping his clients preserve their hard-earned income and better manage the debt on their balance sheets. In 2000, James was promoted to Sales Manager for the Poughkeepsie Complex, with oversight responsibility for more than 300 financial advisors. Today, James is a Global Sports & Entertainment Director, Senior Portfolio Management Director, Senior Investment Management Consultant, and an NFLPA Registered Institutional Financial Advisor.
An ardent believer in continual learning, James has shared his knowledge by mentoring Merrill Lynch trainees and providing TED-like talks on motivation and best practices (e.g., in disciplines such as portfolio management, business development and investment management). From 2000-2010, he conducted guest lectures to upperclassmen in the University of Notre Dame’s School of Engineering. In 2008, James was honored with the Merrill Lynch Diversity Award for outstanding stewardship in the community and financial industry.
In 2000, James combined forces with Rita Gaffney, who was also a highly experienced and credentialed Merrill Lynch financial advisor. Seeking a firm with world-class resources and a commitment to recognizing the changing face of affluence, they joined Morgan Stanley in 2009. The Walker/Gaffney Group now provides comprehensive care to a select client base. Their clients benefit from the Firm’s global resources, extensive capabilities ̶ and equally important ̶ its vision of how diversity and inclusion can benefit everyone.
Through his work on Morgan Stanley’s National Diversity Council, James helps create and execute initiatives that are virtuous circles: opportunities for clients, Financial Advisors and the Firm to succeed. James has been honored with awards for his work on the Council, and holds numerous industry licenses. In recognition of his financial experience, he has received the Firm’s Portfolio Management Director and Senior Investment Management Counselor designations. He is a guest speaker for the Firm’s National Financial Advisor Training Program. In 2018, James was promoted to Resident Manager of the Firm’s office in Poughkeepsie, New York.
Over the last three decades, James has received many accolades for community involvement. He is a strong believer in volunteering with impactful organizations such as the United Way of Dutchess County, Vassar Brothers Medical Center board of trustees, Catherine Street Community Center, the Poughkeepsie Journal, the City of Poughkeepsie Schools Youth Outreach, the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center, and Project Thunder, which provides disadvantaged youth with support systems and life skills that foster academic excellence.
When not volunteering or working to safeguard his clients’ financial futures, he enjoys spending time with his wife Christina and their adult children. James is a wine connoisseur with an extensive collection of vintages, and a member of the Society of Fellows for the Culinary Institute of America. An auto enthusiast and classic car collector as well, James has always appreciated the safety afforded by smart design and precision engineering, much like a well-built awning, or a well-constructed financial plan.
Securities Agent: ND, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VI, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY, NE, OH, AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC; BM/Supervisor; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1297816
NMLS#: 1297816
About Rita Gaffney-Labarge
For Rita, family has always been most important. Growing up in a small town in Pennsylvania, she learned early on the importance of family, integrity, and hard work. When it was time to attend college, she stayed close to her roots, attending Shippensburg State University. After graduating with a B.S. in Finance, she began her Wall Street career with Merrill Lynch. It wasn’t long before she realized that she wanted to have a more direct impact in aiding the firm’s clients. She joined Merrill Lynch’s Poughkeepsie office as a financial advisor, with a strong interest in advising clients with financial analysis, retirement planning and intergenerational wealth transfer.
In 2000, while still at Merrill Lynch, Rita combined forces with an equally accomplished financial advisor: James Walker, Jr. The team joined Morgan Stanley in 2009. The Walker/Gaffney Group at Morgan Stanley now provides select clients and their families with comprehensive care and a full spectrum of solutions. The team was awarded The Forbes Best in State Wealth Management Team for the 2025 year. More than 30% of their clients are women, such as dynamic matriarchs, c-suite executives, and licensed professionals as of January 2026.
Her Designations as a Morgan Stanley Senior Investment Management Consultant, Senior Portfolio Management Director and Family Wealth Advisor, leverages her depth of knowledge in providing families with risk management strategies, asset allocation guidance, and cash flow and liability management solutions.
Rita was Named to Forbes Women Wealth Advisors Best-In-State 2022-2025, she is also a Five-Star Wealth Manager Award Winner in 2020-2025.
In her spare time, Rita is a strong advocate of women and children’s causes. Since 2014, Rita has been involved with the Hudson Valley Magazine “Accomplished Women in Business” Award, which annually highlights the most enterprising and successful businesswomen in the Hudson Valley. She was awarded with this distinction in 2016 for charitable work. She firmly believes in giving back to her community and supports the Grace Smith House (a non-profit domestic violence agency serving residents of Dutchess County) and the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie (a venerable non-profit institution dedicated to providing a safe and nurturing environment to improve the lives of at-risk children and families). Rita has educated women’s groups on personal finance through her involvement in the local Women’s Enterprise Development Center, which empowers women entrepreneurs to build successful small businesses. She has partnered with the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association to promote financial education and capital markets literacy in classrooms. Her classroom activities extend to the University of Notre Dame’s School of Engineering, where she has guest lectured on investment basics and financial planning to her local church acting as a substitute teacher for religious education to first and second graders.
Fittingly, Rita recently received the Morgan Stanley designation of Family Wealth Advisor, in recognition of her skill in helping families to set priorities, hold meaningful conversations about wealth, protect the family enterprise, practice impactful philanthropy, establish estate plans, and educate the next generation of family members about the tenets and responsibilities of affluence.
Rita maintains residences in Dutchess County, New York, and Naples, Florida. During her free time, she enjoys reading and golfing with family, friends, and her clients.
As a testament to the type of bonds she forges with her clients, they often invite her to college graduations, retirement celebrations and weddings. The values Rita learned in her hometown are the ones that continue to endear her to clients today: integrity, hard work, and the importance of family.
Forbes America's Top Women Wealth Advisors & Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In-State Source: Forbes.com (February 2025) 2024 and 2023 Forbes America's Top Women Wealth Advisors & Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In-State rankings awarded in 2023, 2024, and 2025. This ranking was determined based on an evaluation process conducted by SHOOK Research LLC (the research company) in partnership with Forbes (the publisher) based on 12-month time period concluding in Sept of year prior to the issuance of the award. Neither Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC nor its Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors paid a fee to SHOOK Research LLC to obtain or use the ranking. This ranking is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations, and quantitative criteria, including assets undermanagement and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research LLC and thinking may not be representative of any one client’s experience. This ranking not indicative of the Financial Advisor’s future performance. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is not affiliated with SHOOK Research LLC or Forbes. For more information, see www.SHOOKresearch.com. ©2025MorganStanleySmith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.
Five Star Wealth Manager Award
This award was issued in [2020-2025] based on an evaluation process as described below. This evaluation was based on the time periods indicated below and was conducted by Five Star Professional (FSP) that considered, among other factors, the following:
Favorable regulatory and complaint history review. As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not: 1.) Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; 2.) Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed, or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP’s consumer complaint process.
• Personal bankruptcy filing within the past 11 years.
• Termination from a financial services firm within the past 11 years.
• Conviction of a felony.
• One-year client retention rate.
• Five-year client retention rate.
2020 - 08/01/2019 through 03/13/2020
2021 - 08/03/2020 through 02/26/2021
2022 - 08/16/2021 through 02/11/2022
2023 - 08/29/2022 through 03/03/2023
2024 - 08/29/2023 through 02/29/2024
2025 - 08/29/2024 through 02/29/2025
Five Star Professional, as a third-party research firm, identified pre-qualified award candidates based on industry data and contacted all identified broker dealers, Registered Investment Advisor firms and FINRA-registered representatives to gather wealth manager nominations. Self-nominations are not accepted. Wealth managers and/or their firms do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers.
In 2000, while still at Merrill Lynch, Rita combined forces with an equally accomplished financial advisor: James Walker, Jr. The team joined Morgan Stanley in 2009. The Walker/Gaffney Group at Morgan Stanley now provides select clients and their families with comprehensive care and a full spectrum of solutions. The team was awarded The Forbes Best in State Wealth Management Team for the 2025 year. More than 30% of their clients are women, such as dynamic matriarchs, c-suite executives, and licensed professionals as of January 2026.
Her Designations as a Morgan Stanley Senior Investment Management Consultant, Senior Portfolio Management Director and Family Wealth Advisor, leverages her depth of knowledge in providing families with risk management strategies, asset allocation guidance, and cash flow and liability management solutions.
Rita was Named to Forbes Women Wealth Advisors Best-In-State 2022-2025, she is also a Five-Star Wealth Manager Award Winner in 2020-2025.
In her spare time, Rita is a strong advocate of women and children’s causes. Since 2014, Rita has been involved with the Hudson Valley Magazine “Accomplished Women in Business” Award, which annually highlights the most enterprising and successful businesswomen in the Hudson Valley. She was awarded with this distinction in 2016 for charitable work. She firmly believes in giving back to her community and supports the Grace Smith House (a non-profit domestic violence agency serving residents of Dutchess County) and the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie (a venerable non-profit institution dedicated to providing a safe and nurturing environment to improve the lives of at-risk children and families). Rita has educated women’s groups on personal finance through her involvement in the local Women’s Enterprise Development Center, which empowers women entrepreneurs to build successful small businesses. She has partnered with the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association to promote financial education and capital markets literacy in classrooms. Her classroom activities extend to the University of Notre Dame’s School of Engineering, where she has guest lectured on investment basics and financial planning to her local church acting as a substitute teacher for religious education to first and second graders.
Fittingly, Rita recently received the Morgan Stanley designation of Family Wealth Advisor, in recognition of her skill in helping families to set priorities, hold meaningful conversations about wealth, protect the family enterprise, practice impactful philanthropy, establish estate plans, and educate the next generation of family members about the tenets and responsibilities of affluence.
Rita maintains residences in Dutchess County, New York, and Naples, Florida. During her free time, she enjoys reading and golfing with family, friends, and her clients.
As a testament to the type of bonds she forges with her clients, they often invite her to college graduations, retirement celebrations and weddings. The values Rita learned in her hometown are the ones that continue to endear her to clients today: integrity, hard work, and the importance of family.
Forbes America's Top Women Wealth Advisors & Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In-State Source: Forbes.com (February 2025) 2024 and 2023 Forbes America's Top Women Wealth Advisors & Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In-State rankings awarded in 2023, 2024, and 2025. This ranking was determined based on an evaluation process conducted by SHOOK Research LLC (the research company) in partnership with Forbes (the publisher) based on 12-month time period concluding in Sept of year prior to the issuance of the award. Neither Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC nor its Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors paid a fee to SHOOK Research LLC to obtain or use the ranking. This ranking is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations, and quantitative criteria, including assets undermanagement and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research LLC and thinking may not be representative of any one client’s experience. This ranking not indicative of the Financial Advisor’s future performance. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is not affiliated with SHOOK Research LLC or Forbes. For more information, see www.SHOOKresearch.com. ©2025MorganStanleySmith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.
Five Star Wealth Manager Award
This award was issued in [2020-2025] based on an evaluation process as described below. This evaluation was based on the time periods indicated below and was conducted by Five Star Professional (FSP) that considered, among other factors, the following:
Favorable regulatory and complaint history review. As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not: 1.) Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; 2.) Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed, or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP’s consumer complaint process.
• Personal bankruptcy filing within the past 11 years.
• Termination from a financial services firm within the past 11 years.
• Conviction of a felony.
• One-year client retention rate.
• Five-year client retention rate.
2020 - 08/01/2019 through 03/13/2020
2021 - 08/03/2020 through 02/26/2021
2022 - 08/16/2021 through 02/11/2022
2023 - 08/29/2022 through 03/03/2023
2024 - 08/29/2023 through 02/29/2024
2025 - 08/29/2024 through 02/29/2025
Five Star Professional, as a third-party research firm, identified pre-qualified award candidates based on industry data and contacted all identified broker dealers, Registered Investment Advisor firms and FINRA-registered representatives to gather wealth manager nominations. Self-nominations are not accepted. Wealth managers and/or their firms do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers.
Securities Agent: RI, NJ, CT, AZ, VA, SC, CO, GA, DE, TX, DC, MD, MA, CA, PA, OK, IN, FL, AR, ME, IL, OR, NY, NC, PR, NH, MT, KY; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1297748
NMLS#: 1297748
Contact James Walker Jr.
Contact Rita Gaffney-Labarge
Awards and Recognition
Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams Source: Forbes (Awarded Jan 2026) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based for the period 3/31/24-3/31/25.
Forbes America's Top Women Wealth Advisors
2022-2026 Forbes America's Top Women Wealth Advisors (formerly referred to as Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors) Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2022-2026). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in September of year prior to the issuance of the award.
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The Power of Partnerships
By partnering with experienced individuals across wealth disciplines, Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors can align specialized resources with your custom needs and deliver strategic guidance through the familiarity and trust of existing relationships
Emilio LaPietra, CFP®
Financial Planning Director, Vice President
About Emilio LaPietra
Emilio LaPietra is a vice president and financial planning director, serving Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offices in Central Eastern New York. He is responsible for helping financial advisors with their clients' and prospects' financial planning needs.
Emilio began his career in financial services in 2010 and joined Morgan Stanley in 2020. Prior to his current position, he worked at Fidelity Investments.
Emilio graduated from The College of Saint Rose and holds his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation. He lives in Saratoga Springs, New York.
DISCLOSURE:
Important information about your relationship with your Financial Advisor and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC when using a Financial Planning tool. When your Financial Advisor prepares a Financial Plan, they will act in an investment advisory capacity for thirty (30) days after the delivery of your Financial Plan. To understand the differences between brokerage and advisory relationships, you should consult your Financial Advisor, or review our “Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships,” brochure available at https://www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.
You have sole responsibility for making all investment decisions with respect to the implementation of a Financial Plan. You may implement the Financial Plan at Morgan Stanley or at another firm. If you engage or have engaged Morgan Stanley, it will act as your broker, unless you ask it, in writing, to act as your investment adviser on any particular account.
Morgan 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.
Morgan 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.
© 2026 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.
Emilio began his career in financial services in 2010 and joined Morgan Stanley in 2020. Prior to his current position, he worked at Fidelity Investments.
Emilio graduated from The College of Saint Rose and holds his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation. He lives in Saratoga Springs, New York.
DISCLOSURE:
Important information about your relationship with your Financial Advisor and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC when using a Financial Planning tool. When your Financial Advisor prepares a Financial Plan, they will act in an investment advisory capacity for thirty (30) days after the delivery of your Financial Plan. To understand the differences between brokerage and advisory relationships, you should consult your Financial Advisor, or review our “Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships,” brochure available at https://www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.
You have sole responsibility for making all investment decisions with respect to the implementation of a Financial Plan. You may implement the Financial Plan at Morgan Stanley or at another firm. If you engage or have engaged Morgan Stanley, it will act as your broker, unless you ask it, in writing, to act as your investment adviser on any particular account.
Morgan 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.
Morgan 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.
© 2026 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.
Private Banking Group (PBG) Market Managers, Senior Private Bankers, Private Bankers, and Associate Private Bankers are employees of Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association.
Banking products and services are offered by Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association, Member FDIC.
Morgan 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
Important information about your relationship with your Financial Advisor and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC when using a Financial Planning tool. When your Financial Advisor prepares a Financial Plan, they will act in an investment advisory capacity for thirty (30) days after the delivery of your Financial Plan. To understand the differences between brokerage and advisory relationships, you should consult your Financial Advisor, or review our “Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships,” brochure available at https://www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.
You have sole responsibility for making all investment decisions with respect to the implementation of a Financial Plan. You may implement the Financial Plan at Morgan Stanley or at another firm. If you engage or have engaged Morgan Stanley, it will act as your broker, unless you ask it, in writing, to act as your investment adviser on any particular account.
Morgan 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.
Morgan 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.
Banking products and services are offered by Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association, Member FDIC.
Morgan 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
Important information about your relationship with your Financial Advisor and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC when using a Financial Planning tool. When your Financial Advisor prepares a Financial Plan, they will act in an investment advisory capacity for thirty (30) days after the delivery of your Financial Plan. To understand the differences between brokerage and advisory relationships, you should consult your Financial Advisor, or review our “Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships,” brochure available at https://www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.
You have sole responsibility for making all investment decisions with respect to the implementation of a Financial Plan. You may implement the Financial Plan at Morgan Stanley or at another firm. If you engage or have engaged Morgan Stanley, it will act as your broker, unless you ask it, in writing, to act as your investment adviser on any particular account.
Morgan 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.
Morgan 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.
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office
Portfolio Insights
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
Iran Conflict: Seven Takeaways for Investors
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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
A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup
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Wealth Management for Athletes and Entertainers
Understanding the unique financial challenges of athletes and entertainers and how they differ from one profession to the next, we deliver the experience and resources you need to help create and implement a comprehensive, multigenerational wealth management plan based on your needs, values and aspirations.
- Investment Management
- Wealth Transfer & Philanthropy
- Private Banking Solutions
- Family Governance & Wealth Education
- Lifestyle Advisory
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
529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education
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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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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
Ready to start a conversation? Contact The Walker/Gaffney Group today.
1When 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.
For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.
2Morgan 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.
3Morgan 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.
4Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is a business of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC.
5Morgan 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.
6Structured Investments are complex and not appropriate for all investors. An investment in structured investments involves risks. These risks can include but are not limited to: fluctuations in the price, level or yield of underlying asset(s), interest rates, currency values and credit quality, substantial loss of principal, limits on participation in appreciation of underlying asset(s), limited liquidity, credit risk, and/or conflicts of interest. Many structured investments do not pay interest or guarantee a return above principal at maturity. Investors should read the security’s offering documentation prior to making an investment decision.
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.
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.
9Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not accept appointments nor will it act as a trustee but it will provide access to trust services through an appropriate third-party corporate trustee.
Morgan 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.
10Morgan 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
11Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
12Morgan 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.
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 Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.
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 | Morgan Stanley
For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.
2Morgan 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.
3Morgan 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.
4Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is a business of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC.
5Morgan 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.
6Structured Investments are complex and not appropriate for all investors. An investment in structured investments involves risks. These risks can include but are not limited to: fluctuations in the price, level or yield of underlying asset(s), interest rates, currency values and credit quality, substantial loss of principal, limits on participation in appreciation of underlying asset(s), limited liquidity, credit risk, and/or conflicts of interest. Many structured investments do not pay interest or guarantee a return above principal at maturity. Investors should read the security’s offering documentation prior to making an investment decision.
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.
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.
9Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not accept appointments nor will it act as a trustee but it will provide access to trust services through an appropriate third-party corporate trustee.
Morgan 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.
10Morgan 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
11Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
12Morgan 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.
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 Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.
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 | Morgan Stanley
CRC 4665150 (8/2025), 4763067 (9/2025)
