The latest moves, appointments and personnel changes in the North American wealth management sector.

ArentFox Schiff
ArentFox Schiff, a law firm, has appointed Molly F James to join its private clients, trusts and estates practice in Washington, DC. James is named as a partner.

With more than 30 years of experience guiding families through estate planning and administration, James will develop strategies for clients navigating a range of personal and financial situations. Prior to this, James was at Troutman Pepper Locke. 

James’s arrival comes after the practice added partner Todd Angkatavanich and counsel Joe Blumberg earlier in March.

In addition to wills, revocable trusts, powers of attorney, and advance medical directives, James prepares specialized documents, including dynasty trusts, premarital agreements, grantor-retained annuity trusts, and spousal lifetime access trusts. She also creates structures for asset protection against taxes, creditors, divorcing spouses, or even the beneficiaries themselves.

Mesirow
Mesirow an employee-owned financial services firm, has made three hires in its alternative credit team.

The business serves institutions and high net worth clients; the hires come after Mesirow bought Bastion Management in December last year. Bastion is an asset-backed lender now operating as Mesirow Alternative Credit.

The hires are Nicholas Paidas, director, capital markets and sourcing; Servia Rindfleish, client portfolio manager; and Bryce Labonski, associate, asset management.

Left to right: Nicholas Paidas, Servia Rindfleish, and Bryce Labonski. 

The firm said its alternative credit team, starting in 2013, has closed more than 50 transactions and committed more than $2 billion in traditional consumer lending platforms and emerging fintech firms. It is led by Jay Braden, CEO and co-chief investment officer; Tim Joyce, co-CIO; and Tim Reimink, head of asset management.

As of December 31, 2024, Mesirow had $306.2 billion in total assets under supervision.

Raymond James
Raymond James has appointed Ronice Barlow in the newly-formed role of chief operating officer for its independent contractor division. 

Barlow has 30 years of financial services industry experience; most recently, she was senior vice president, senior strategic sales director for the US Wealth division of Franklin Templeton.