Warner Norcross + Judd LLP represented Heber Fuger Wendin, Inc. (“HFW”), a registered investment adviser (RIA) headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, in its transaction with Mariner Wealth Advisors (“Mariner”) which was completed on July 31, 2022.
HFW has origins dating back to 1934 and is one of the most tenured registered investment advisors in the United States. Led by President and CEO Dave Barnes, the firm manages an impressive $8.6 billion in assets under management. With its niche focus on advising community banks and credit unions, HFW offers a previously untapped clientele for Mariner Wealth Advisors and expands Mariner’s catalog of offerings.
HFW has demonstrated incredible growth in the past several years; the firm was ranked #17 on the RIA Channel’s list of top 50 wealth managers by growth in assets from 2020 to 2021. In addition to community banks and credit unions, the firm advises clients across the Midwest and Southern United States, including insurance companies, hospitals, foundations, manufacturing companies and individuals seeking a wealth advisory partner. The firm’s services include bank investment and credit union investment advisory services, asset liability management (“ALM”), 3rd party reviews of ALM models, investment portfolio accounting, mortgage servicing rights valuation, financial planning for individuals and other financial consulting services.
“Mariner Wealth Advisors fully understands and appreciates their status as a fiduciary who, like HFW, is inspired to act in the best interest of their clients and put the clients’ interests first,” said Barnes. “We’re eager to be progressing to this next stage in our development backed by the support and resources of the Mariner Wealth Advisors team.”
Warner served as legal counsel to HFW, representing the firm in the negotiation and documentation of the transaction. The Warner transaction team was led by Linda Paullin-Hebden and included Celia Kaechele and John Muhs.
ECHELON Partners, a Los Angeles-based investment banking and consulting firm, provided transaction advisory services to HFW. More information on ECHELON can be found here.
Read the full press release here.
Warner’s Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Practice Group
As part of one of the largest and most successful law firms in Michigan, Warner’s M&A Practice Group draws upon more than 90 years of experience to successfully and efficiently handle a wide range of M&A transactions for both private and publicly traded businesses, including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and strategic business combinations of all types.
Warner’s Funds and Investments Industry Group
As the only firm in the state of Michigan focused on the unique legal and compliance needs of investment advisers and broker-dealers, Warner regularly represents investment advisers in all of their legal needs from guiding clients through the regulatory process to supporting our clients in acquisition or divestiture. Warner’s unique knowledge of the investment adviser industry ensures that Warner attorneys will safely steer you through every aspect of the investment adviser regulatory or transactional landscape.
