DFX Intelligence

RIA Intelligence

Registered investment advisers, the advisors registered through them, the capital they report, the private vehicles they run and the people who own them, as a graph with a filing date behind every number. RAUM is what the adviser filed, a move is two registration dates, and a class is a rule you can read.

SEC-registered adviser

First Foundation Advisors

Independent wealth managerIrvine, CaliforniaCRD 106075SEC 801-35973websiteIAPD
Latest filing Jul 29, 2026
First filing on the tape Mar 30, 2012 · 62 filings
SEC status approved since Feb 28, 1990
RAUM
$5.1B
reported, Item 5.F
Discretionary
98%
of RAUM
Private clients
74%
$3.7B individuals and HNW
Advisors
29
registered through the firm on IAPD
RAUM per advisor
$175M
derived; firm RAUM over IAPD count
Employees
57
28 advisory (5.B.1)
Offices
11
beyond the principal office
Private funds
0
reported on Schedule D
History
62 filings and snapshots on the tape
RAUM$5.1B as of Jul 29, 2026
Mar 30, 2012$1.8B then
HNW client RAUM$3.5B as of Jul 29, 2026
Apr 2, 2018$2.9B then
State-registered IARs (5.B.3)28 as of Jul 29, 2026
Mar 28, 201317 then
Employees (5.A)57 as of Jul 29, 2026
Mar 28, 201352 then
Private funds1 as of Mar 30, 2022
Mar 30, 20121 then
RAUM -7.0% over the last fiscal year+0.5% a year over threeIARs 30 to 28offices 10 to 11
Practice profile
derived from the filing of Jul 29, 2026; every figure names its basis
RAUM per advisor
$175MderivedRAUM over IAPD advisors; not a book size
Clients per advisor
36derivedindividual and HNW clients (5.D) over advisors
Average HNW client
$5.6MderivedHNW RAUM over HNW clients
Average account
$1.5MderivedRAUM over accounts (5.F.2.f)
Discretionary
98%derivedof RAUM
Institutional
6.2%derivedpensions, charities, corporations, government, insurance, banks, other advisers
Employees per advisor
2.0derivedItem 5.A over advisors
Advisors per office
2.4derived12 offices incl. principal (1.F.5)
RAUM growth, one year
-7.0%derivedbetween the last two annual amendments
Advisor growth, one year
-17%derivedItem 5.B.3 between annual amendments
Client growth, one year
-18%derived
Compensation
percentage of assets, hourly, fixed fees, performance-basedreportedItem 5.E
Advisory activities
financial planning, portfolio management for individuals, portfolio management for investment companies, pension consulting, selection of other advisersreportedItem 5.G
Custody
$1.6B, 469 clientsreportedItem 9.A
Ownership
no PE, bank or public-company owner found on Schedule Aderived
Advisor book size
not public; not estimatedreported
Also answered yes on Form ADV
  • is an insurance broker or agent (6.A.6)
  • buys or sells securities as principal to or from clients (8.A.2)
  • has discretionary authority over which securities are bought or sold (8.C.1)
  • receives research or other products from a broker-dealer, soft dollars (8.E)
  • compensates persons for client referrals (8.G.1)
  • compensates non-employees for client referrals (8.G.2)
  • has custody of client cash or bank accounts (9.A.1.a)
  • has custody of client securities (9.A.1.b)
  • a related person has custody of client cash (9.B.1.a)
  • a related person has custody of client securities (9.B.1.b)
  • a related person acts as qualified custodian (9.D.2)
Where the RAUM sits
Form ADV Item 5.D, latest filing
  • High-net-worth individuals$3.5B70%
  • Banks and thrifts$483M9.6%
  • Corporations and businesses$345M6.9%
  • Charitable organizations$315M6.3%
  • Individuals$235M4.7%
  • Investment companies$144M2.9%
Individual clients
430reported
HNW clients
623reported
Pension plan clients
n/areported
Charitable clients
30reported
Accounts
3,373reported
Financial planning clients
11-25reported
Wrap fee programs
noreported
Custody of client assets
$1.6B for 469 clientsreported
Compensation
% of AUM, fixed, hourly, performancereported
Class basis
private_client_share=0.74 fund_share=0.03 institutional_share=0.06 related_bd=false related_bank=false bd_reps=0.0derived
Advisors registered through the firm
29 on IAPD today, longest tenure first
NameBranchHere sinceIn industryPrior firms
Neil Christopher AmorChartered Financial AnalystIrvine, CaApr 16, 200329 y0
Benjamin Darrow ThornhillCertified Financial PlannerIrvine, CaApr 15, 200432 y0
John Avak HakopianIrvine, CaNov 20, 201336 y1
Mark David Stuart ArblasterCertified Financial PlannerIrvine, CaNov 22, 201330 y0
Roger Bruce PalleyChartered Financial AnalystIrvine, CaNov 22, 201335 y2
Jennifer Kathryn CagleCertified Financial PlannerIrvine, CaNov 22, 201333 y0
Lindsey Ann HessCertified Financial PlannerIrvine, CaOct 29, 201514 y0
Joseph Anthony RaszewskiIrvine, CaDec 21, 201611 y0
Michelle Bao-Chieu NguyenCertified Financial PlannerLos Angeles, CaJan 4, 202118 y0
Ara Moses AbajianChartered Financial AnalystIrvine, CaApr 20, 202225 y0
William Bryant PierrepontLos Angeles, CaOct 20, 202210 y0
Stephen J WiechertCertified Financial PlannerIrvine, CaSep 16, 202414 y0
Andrea Helene MatoloChartered Financial AnalystIrvine, CaOct 1, 202420 y2
Calvin Tekeim JonesChartered Financial AnalystHonolulu, HiJan 1, 202515 y0
Marc Tomaneng CosicoIrvine, CaApr 3, 202529 y2
Roger Sanford StinnettCertified Financial Planner, Personal Financial SpecialistIrvine, CaApr 3, 202524 y4
Eric H SperonChartered Financial AnalystIrvine, CaMay 7, 202523 y0
Rachel Costa RibeiroCertified Financial PlannerIrvine, CaSep 2, 202518 y0
Ricardo Costa RibeiroCertified Financial PlannerIrvine, CaSep 2, 202513 y0
Paul Edward MillerLos Angeles, CaOct 20, 202531 y1
Robert James RocheIrvine, CaOct 23, 202513 y5
Ekaterina A. NuceIrvine, CaNov 17, 202510 y0
Karuna TejpaulIrvine, CaFeb 26, 202622 y3
William Keith ArechigaChartered Financial AnalystIrvine, CaMar 10, 202614 y0
Eric Michael MicheliChartered Financial AnalystDenver, CoJul 15, 202613 y2
Michael Atticus BerensChartered Financial AnalystDenver, CoJul 20, 202610 y1
Brandon Michael HumphryesChartered Financial AnalystDenver, CoJul 29, 202611 y0
John Emery SawyerChartered Financial AnalystDenver, CoAug 14, 202629 y1
Troy L McswainIrvine, CaSep 10, 202610 y1
Advisor movement
4 left, 7 joined in 12 months
net +3 in 12 months0 left in 90 days4 joined in 90 daysdeparture rate 14% of current headcount14 left over 36 months
Left, latest
Joined, latest
Teams: two or more advisors moving together within fourteen days, from one state
Private funds
1 reported on Schedule D 7.B.(1)
FundTypeGross assetsOwnersFirst reported
The Keller Late Stage Vc Fund LPno longer reportedVenture Capital Fund$33,50330Mar 30, 2012
Owners and control persons
Schedule A and B, latest filing
  • Michael James Britton · Chief Financial Officercontrol
    since 08/2023 · owns less than 5%
  • Steven Gregory Bruce · Chief Compliance Officercontrol
    since 01/2004 · owns less than 5%
  • Hao En Andrew Chan · Co-Chief Investment Officercontrol
    since 04/2023 · owns less than 5%
  • Avak John Hakopian · President/Chief Investment Officercontrol
    since 06/2009 · owns less than 5%
  • James Robert Roche · Chief Compliance Officer Ownershipcontrol
    since 10/2025 · owns less than 5%
Entity owners
  • First Foundation Inc. · 100% Stock Ownership
    direct · owns 75% or more · public reporting company
Related persons
Schedule D 7.A
  • First Foundation Bank
    custodiann
  • First Foundation Insurance Services
    real estaten
Office movement
IAPD branch city; joins and departures in 12 months
OfficeAdvisorsJoinedLeftTeams outForming
Irvine, Ca · principal2154
Denver, Co440
Los Angeles, Ca310
Jonesborough, Tn000
Offices
Schedule D 1.F, the 25 largest
  • Los Angeles, CA6 employees
  • Indian Wells, CA1 employees
  • Las Vegas, NV1 employees
  • Naples, FL1 employees
  • Oakland, CA1 employees
  • Palos Verdes Estates, CA1 employees
  • Pasadena, CA1 employees
  • Rolling Hills Estates, CA1 employees
  • Honolulu, HI1 employees
  • San Diego, CA1 employees
ADV anomalies
5 against comparable advisers; where to look, not conclusions
  • business activity changedChange between filings · filing Jul 29, 2026
    pension consulting (Item 5.G.6): no on the filing of 2026-06-10, yes on the filing of 2026-07-29
    peers: independent wealth managers, $5B to $20B (289)
  • control person changedChange between filings · filing Jul 29, 2026
    Roche, Robert, James (CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER OWNERSHIP) appeared on Schedule A between the filings of 2023-11-01 and 2026-07-29
    peers: independent wealth managers, $5B to $20B (289)
  • control person changedChange between filings · filing Jul 29, 2026
    BRUCE, GREGORY, STEVEN (CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER) left Schedule A between the filings of 2023-11-01 and 2026-07-29
    peers: independent wealth managers, $5B to $20B (289)
  • control person changedChange between filings · filing Jul 29, 2026
    CHAN, ANDREW, HAO EN (CO-CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER) left Schedule A between the filings of 2023-11-01 and 2026-07-29
    peers: independent wealth managers, $5B to $20B (289)
  • control person changedChange between filings · filing Jul 29, 2026
    BRITTON, JAMES, MICHAEL (CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER) left Schedule A between the filings of 2023-11-01 and 2026-07-29
    peers: independent wealth managers, $5B to $20B (289)
What changed
consecutive filings, newest first
  • Advisory employees · 25 to 28
    Jun 10, 2026 to Jul 29, 2026
  • Advisory activities · 4 to 5
    Jun 10, 2026 to Jul 29, 2026
  • Employees · 53 to 57
    Jun 10, 2026 to Jul 29, 2026
  • State-registered IARs · 25 to 28
    Jun 10, 2026 to Jul 29, 2026
  • Other offices · 10 to 11
    Jun 10, 2026 to Jul 29, 2026
  • Assets in custody · $1.9B to $1.6B
    Mar 26, 2026 to Apr 28, 2026
  • Accounts · 3,945 to 3,373
    Feb 21, 2026 to Mar 26, 2026
  • Advisory employees · 33 to 25
    Feb 21, 2026 to Mar 26, 2026
  • Corporate clients · 68 to 57
    Feb 21, 2026 to Mar 26, 2026
  • HNW clients · 751 to 623
    Feb 21, 2026 to Mar 26, 2026
  • Individual clients · 526 to 430
    Feb 21, 2026 to Mar 26, 2026
  • Pooled vehicle clients · 0.0 to unset
    Feb 21, 2026 to Mar 26, 2026
  • Employees · 62 to 53
    Feb 21, 2026 to Mar 26, 2026
  • State-registered IARs · 30 to 25
    Feb 21, 2026 to Mar 26, 2026
  • Discretionary RAUM · $5.4B to $5.0B
    Feb 21, 2026 to Mar 26, 2026
  • HNW RAUM · $3.8B to $3.5B
    Feb 21, 2026 to Mar 26, 2026
  • Individual RAUM · $307M to $235M
    Feb 21, 2026 to Mar 26, 2026
  • Non-discretionary RAUM · $86.0M to $81.4M
    Feb 21, 2026 to Mar 26, 2026
  • Pooled vehicle RAUM · 0.0 to unset
    Feb 21, 2026 to Mar 26, 2026
  • RAUM · $5.4B to $5.1B
    Feb 21, 2026 to Mar 26, 2026
  • Financial planning clients · 11-25 to 11-25
    Apr 1, 2025 to Jun 16, 2025
  • Accounts · 4,065 to 3,945
    Oct 29, 2024 to Apr 1, 2025
  • Advisory employees · 36 to 33
    Oct 29, 2024 to Apr 1, 2025
  • Charity clients · 35 to 30
    Oct 29, 2024 to Apr 1, 2025
  • Corporate clients · 65 to 68
    Oct 29, 2024 to Apr 1, 2025
  • HNW clients · 762 to 751
    Oct 29, 2024 to Apr 1, 2025
  • Individual clients · 574 to 526
    Oct 29, 2024 to Apr 1, 2025
  • Assets in custody · $1.6B to $1.9B
    Oct 29, 2024 to Apr 1, 2025
  • Employees · 67 to 62
    Oct 29, 2024 to Apr 1, 2025
  • State-registered IARs · 33 to 30
    Oct 29, 2024 to Apr 1, 2025
  • Discretionary RAUM · $5.2B to $5.4B
    Oct 29, 2024 to Apr 1, 2025
  • HNW RAUM · $3.6B to $3.8B
    Oct 29, 2024 to Apr 1, 2025
  • Individual RAUM · $287M to $307M
    Oct 29, 2024 to Apr 1, 2025
  • Non-discretionary RAUM · $92.3M to $86.0M
    Oct 29, 2024 to Apr 1, 2025
  • RAUM · $5.2B to $5.4B
    Oct 29, 2024 to Apr 1, 2025
  • Accounts · 4,177 to 4,065
    Nov 2, 2023 to Mar 27, 2024
  • Advisory employees · 40 to 36
    Nov 2, 2023 to Mar 27, 2024
  • Charity clients · 37 to 35
    Nov 2, 2023 to Mar 27, 2024
  • Corporate clients · 63 to 65
    Nov 2, 2023 to Mar 27, 2024
  • HNW clients · 800 to 762
    Nov 2, 2023 to Mar 27, 2024
Signals
30 dated events
  • 2 advisors left Sunflower Wealth Advisors LLC (Greenwood Village, CO) for First Foundation Advisors on the same day
    Jul 17, 2026 · Team lift-out · derived
  • Yuhsin Wang left First Foundation Advisors for Ep Wealth Advisors (registered 2026-05-27)
    Jun 8, 2026 · Advisor changed firm · fact
  • Michael Min-Kai Chen left First Foundation Advisors for Capital Group Private Client Services, Inc. (registered 2026-01-15)
    Jan 9, 2026 · Advisor changed firm · fact
  • Sogol Javan Oskouei left First Foundation Advisors for Empirical Wealth Management (registered 2026-02-06)
    Dec 2, 2025 · Advisor changed firm · fact
  • Jack Stewart Stemper left First Foundation Advisors for Ducere Wealth Management (registered 2025-09-19)
    Sep 29, 2025 · Advisor changed firm · fact
  • Cody James Columna left First Foundation Advisors for Ducere Wealth Management (registered 2025-07-28)
    Jun 18, 2025 · Advisor changed firm · fact
  • Brett Howard Dulyea left First Foundation Advisors for Rockefeller Capital Management (registered 2025-05-30)
    Jun 2, 2025 · Advisor changed firm · fact
  • Zane Confair Keller left First Foundation Advisors for Ducere Wealth Management (registered 2025-07-22)
    May 30, 2025 · Advisor changed firm · fact
  • Ulrich Emanuel Keller left First Foundation Advisors for First Foundation Advisors, Llc (registered 2006-04-28)
    May 30, 2025 · Advisor changed firm · fact
  • Jeffrey N. Eisfelder left First Foundation Advisors for Sfe Investment Counsel Inc. (registered 2025-12-08)
    Mar 19, 2025 · Advisor changed firm · fact
  • James Robert Garrison left First Foundation Advisors for Knightsbridge Wealth Management (registered 2025-11-03)
    Jan 27, 2025 · Advisor changed firm · fact
  • Emanuel Ulrich Keller (Chairman) no longer on Schedule A of First Foundation Advisors (listed 2024-03-28, absent 2024-10-29)
    Oct 29, 2024 · Control person left · inference
  • Joyce Lee left First Foundation Advisors for Capital Group Private Client Services, Inc. (registered 2025-03-06)
    Sep 11, 2024 · Advisor changed firm · fact
  • Daniel C Fan left First Foundation Advisors for Cerity Partners Llc (registered 2024-09-05)
    Sep 4, 2024 · Advisor changed firm · fact
  • Jonathan Toyoaki Endo left First Foundation Advisors for Cerity Partners Llc (registered 2024-09-11)
    Sep 4, 2024 · Advisor changed firm · fact
  • 2 advisors left First Foundation Advisors (Irvine, CA) for Cerity Partners LLC on the same day
    Sep 4, 2024 · Team lift-out · derived
  • Roger Sanford Stinnett left First Foundation Advisors for Stinnett Wealth Planning, Llc (registered 2024-04-03)
    Mar 28, 2024 · Advisor changed firm · fact
  • First Foundation Advisors reported 10 offices beyond its principal office, down from 17 (2023-11-02 to 2024-03-27)
    Mar 27, 2024 · Office count change · derived
  • Michael James Britton (Chief Financial Officer) appeared on Schedule A of First Foundation Advisors
    Nov 1, 2023 · Control person joined · fact
  • Ramsey Michael Andrijevich left First Foundation Advisors for Lido (registered 2023-06-13)
    Jun 26, 2023 · Advisor changed firm · fact
  • Stasia Elaine Cato-Washington left First Foundation Advisors for Lido (registered 2023-06-13)
    Jun 26, 2023 · Advisor changed firm · fact
  • Christopher Scott Seebeck left First Foundation Advisors for Ameriprise Financial Services, Llc (registered 2024-03-22)
    Jun 26, 2023 · Advisor changed firm · fact
  • 2 advisors left First Foundation Advisors (Los Angeles, CA) for Lido on the same day
    Jun 26, 2023 · Team lift-out · derived
  • Hao En Andrew Chan (Co-Chief Investment Officer) appeared on Schedule A of First Foundation Advisors
    May 1, 2023 · Control person joined · fact
  • Kevin Thompson (Chief Financial Officer) no longer on Schedule A of First Foundation Advisors (listed 2022-10-03, absent 2023-02-06)
    Feb 6, 2023 · Control person left · inference
  • John Edward Lowndes (Chief Operating Officer) no longer on Schedule A of First Foundation Advisors (listed 2022-10-03, absent 2023-02-06)
    Feb 6, 2023 · Control person left · inference
  • First Foundation Advisors reported 17 offices beyond its principal office, up from 9 (2022-04-06 to 2022-10-03)
    Oct 3, 2022 · Office count change · derived
  • Matthias John Michel (Chief Financial Officer) no longer on Schedule A of First Foundation Advisors (listed 2020-03-26, absent 2020-06-29)
    Jun 29, 2020 · Control person left · inference
  • Kevin Thompson (Chief Financial Officer) appeared on Schedule A of First Foundation Advisors
    Jun 29, 2020 · Control person joined · fact
  • John Edward Lowndes (Chief Operating Officer) appeared on Schedule A of First Foundation Advisors
    Jun 29, 2020 · Control person joined · fact
Across DFX
shared identifiers only, never a name match
How to reach
public business contact points only, each with its source
Business email
newaccount@ff-inc.comreportedpublished by the firm, firm site, Sep 17, 2026
Business phone
888-405-4332reportedpublished by the firm, firm site, Sep 17, 2026
Business phone
888-698-7442reportedpublished by the firm, firm site, Sep 17, 2026
Firm profile
linkedin.com/company/first-foundation-inc.reportedpublic record, Form ADV, Sep 17, 2026
Website
FF-INC.COMreportedpublic record, Form ADV, Sep 17, 2026
Principal office phone
949-476-0300reportedpublic record, Form ADV, Jul 29, 2026
Provenance
Form ADV
SEC filing data 2011 to 2024 and the monthly roster 2025 onreportedadviserinfo.sec.gov
Advisors
IAPD individual compilation feed, dailyreportedadviserinfo.sec.gov
Class
Independent wealth managerderiveda rule over Items 5.D and 7.A
RAUM per advisor
$175Mderivedfirm RAUM over the IAPD count; not a book size
Loaded
Sep 14, 2026