WILLIAM J. BROWN
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CRD#: 1056215
Professional summary
Being a previously registered professional could mean that this person is no longer operating under the supervision of the SEC or FINRA.
That means that the Securities and Exchange Commission may not be able to oversee the services that this specific professional is providing.
WILLIAM JAMES BROWN, who also goes by Bill Brown, William J Brown, was a registered financial professional .
WILLIAM is a previously registered financial professional and started their career in finance in 1982. WILLIAM had worked at 8 firms and has passed the Series 65, Series 63, Series 52TO, SIE, Series 7, Series 22, Series 6, Series 53 and Series 24 exams.
Biography
Bill has spent his entire career providing financial planning and wealth management to high-net-worth individuals. He specializes in combining complex planning techniques and sophisticated financial modeling into an understandable and individualized format. Bill's client profile has changed little over the years, and he has been guiding many of his clients and their families for decades. Bill’s clients are financially affluent, caring, intelligent and very private individuals.
Bill's value-add approach includes the delivery of comprehensive, sophisticated financial and estate plans, helping his clients maximize control over their families’ financial destinies by defining their real hopes and dreams and then helping position them to become tax-efficient realities. His full-service follow-through is structured to help clients’ entire team of trusted advisors and professionals achieve synergy. In addition to financial and estate planning, Bill spends considerable time in the investment management arena. His focus is on delivering investment solutions designed to help meet the individual goals of each client. As a client advocate acting in a catalyst capacity, Bill strives to ensure that his clients’ interests are consistently being served first and foremost. Bill is enthused to be able to deliver custom services and capabilities, as well as to be a part of a team of disciplined professionals with disciplines and specialties that include law, accounting, financial planning and asset management.
Bill currently holds the Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) and Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®) designations and is a Certified Funds Specialist (CFS). He is a University of Michigan Business School graduate.
Bill and his wife, Barbara, have four children, Joshua, Sarah, Rachel and Hannah. He has a strong interest continuing to work with several nonprofits with the broad goal of helping our society to not only improve, but to thrive. He enjoys playing golf and tennis, bicycling and traveling, particularly to visit his children and grandchildren.
Question & Answer
Are you a "fiduciary"?
No
Aliases
Bill Brown | William J Brown
Other business activities
Outside business activity is any business or activity undertaken by an advisor that is outside the scope of their relationship with their firm (e.g., consulting services, real estate, freelance work, teaching, etc.). Investors should stay informed about these activities to ensure no conflicts of interest.
INSURACE Investment Related .Sales and service of fixed life insurance and fixed annuity products through Highland Brokerage and James Mergens as well as Lincoln Life, Genworth, Sun Life of Canada, Canada Life, Lincoln Benefit Life for the servicing of in force policies/contracts. 582 Shrewsbury Dr. Clarkston, MI. 48348 investment related 1-2 hours per week during trading hours.
CRS (Client Relationship Summary)
The CRS(Customer Relationship Summary) document is not provided.
Certified licenses
Advisors may have various certifications and credentials from different organizations. AdvisorCheck highlights these seven certifications - AIF®, CFP®, ChFC®, CFA, CLU®, CIMA®, CPWA®
NoneExperience
Past
July 18, 2017 - June 28, 2024
HIGHTOWER ADVISORS, LLC
RIA
CRD#: 145323
Bloomfield Hills, MI
Past
July 14, 2017 - June 28, 2024
HIGHTOWER SECURITIES, LLC
BD
CRD#: 116681
Bloomfield Hills, MI
Past
July 24, 2012 - December 31, 2017
COPPER BEECH WEALTH MANAGEMENT
RIA
CRD#: 151476
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI
Past
December 2, 2009 - December 31, 2011
COPPER BEECH WEALTH MANAGEMENT
RIA
CRD#: 151476
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI
Past
November 20, 2009 - July 14, 2017
AMERICAN PORTFOLIOS ADVISORS, INC
RIA
CRD#: 112697
HOLBROOK, NY
Past
November 19, 2009 - July 14, 2017
AMERICAN PORTFOLIOS FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
BD
CRD#: 18487
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI
Past
August 15, 2006 - November 23, 2009
FSC SECURITIES CORPORATION
RIA
CRD#: 7461
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI
Past
August 15, 2006 - November 23, 2009
FSC SECURITIES CORPORATION
BD
CRD#: 7461
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI
Past
June 14, 2002 - August 16, 2006
OSAIC FA, INC.
RIA
CRD#: 3978
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI
Past
June 1, 1998 - August 16, 2006
OSAIC FA, INC.
BD
CRD#: 3978
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI
Past
August 23, 1982 - June 1, 1998
LINCOLN FINANCIAL DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
BD
CRD#: 145
RADNOR, PA
Primary Firm SEC Registration
This SEC-registered firm can serve clients nationwide. Some states may require the firm to submit a notice filing if the firm has more than 5 clients or a physical office there. You can view these state-level filings under the section titled "State Registrations and Notice Filings".
HIGHTOWER ADVISORS, LLC
2/13 STRATEGIC PARTNERS | XCEPTION ADVISORY GROUP | WOLF-COLLINS WEALTH MANAGEMENT | WISEHAUPT, BRAY ASSET MANAGEMENT | WHITE WEALTH MANAGEMENT | WHITE PINE WEALTH MANAGEMENT | WEALTHTRUST ADVISORS | VWG WEALTH MANAGEMENT | VIGILANT WEALTH MANAGEMENT | UNITED FIDUCIARY PARTNERS, LLC | UNITED FIDUCIARY ADVISORS, LLC | TWICKENHAM ADVISORS | TRUE WEALTH ADVISORY GROUP | TRESNAN FERST WEALTH ADVISORS | TREASURY PARTNERS | THREE BRIDGE WEALTH ADVISORS | THE THRUSH GROUP | THE RIKOON GROUP | THE RAND GROUP | THE OTTO GROUP | THE NULMAN GROUP | THE MORGIA GROUP | THE MCGUIRK & DE NEVI GROUP | THE LEVIN GROUP | THE LEVENTHAL GROUP | THE LERNER GROUP | THE KELLY & WOHLNER GROUP | THE HAUSBERG GROUP | THE G3 ADVISORY GROUP | THE DILLIG GROUP | THE DEGGELMAN/PARKER GROUP | THE BLANKE SCHEIN GROUP | THE BAHNSEN GROUP | THE ANDRIOLE GROUP | TEN CAPITAL WEALTH ADVISORS | TEAK TREE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT | SYNERGY CAPITAL SOLUTIONS | STRATA WEALTH PARTNERS | STRATA WEALTH MANAGEMENT | STEARNS FINANCIAL GROUP | SOMERSET ADVISORY | SMITH ANGLIN FINANCIAL | SIMMONS-WILKES INVESTMENT ADVISORS | SIMMONS INVESTMENT ADVISORS | SILLER & COHEN | SHAFFER WEALTH MANAGEMENT | SCHULTZ COLLINS | SCANNELL WEALTH MANAGEMENT GROUP | ROSENAU/PAUL GROUP | ROSE ADVISORS | RJ WEALTH MANAGEMENT | RESOURCE CONSULTING GROUP | RESOLUTE INDEPENDENT ADVISORS | RDM FINANCIAL GROUP | PRIVATE VISTA | PRESIDIO WEALTH PARTNERS | PDS WEALTH MANAGEMENT | PAGNATO-KARP GROUP | OSBORN, WILLIAMS, & DONOHOE | ONEARC CAPITAL ADVISORS | NUCLEUS ADVISORS | NATOMA WEALTH | MURRAY WEALTH MANAGEMENT | MORSE, TOWEY, WHITE & HOFFMAN | MORSE TOWEY & WHITE | MORGIA WEALTH MANAGEMENT | MOLNAR/NORDLICHT GROUP | MK WEALTH MANAGEMENT | MEYER CAPITAL GROUP | MATTHIAS KUHLMEY AT HIGHTOWER | MASTERSON, EMMA, & ASSOCIATES | LYON WEALTH MANAGEMENT, INC. | LYON WEALTH MANAGEMENT AT HIGHTOWER | LUMA WEALTH ADVISORS | LRG WEALTH ADVISORS | LOURDMURRAY | LOUIS WEALTH MANAGEMENT | LK WEALTH & ASSET MANAGEMENT | LINDBROOK CAPITAL | LEXINGTON WEALTH MANAGEMENT, INC. | LEXINGTON WEALTH MANAGEMENT | LEONETTI AND ASSOCIATES | LEGACY WEALTH ADVISORS | LCK WEALTH MANAGEMENT | LANDSBERG BENNETT PRIVATE WEALTH MANAGEMENT | KLEIN WEALTH MANAGEMENT | KELLY WEALTH MANAGEMENT | IRONGATE PARTNERS | INVESTMENT SECURITY GROUP | HWM ADVISORS | HUMMER MOWER ASSOCIATES | HT|TC WEALTH PARTNERS | HSW ADVISORS | HILL WEALTH MANAGEMENT | HIGHTOWER/THOMAS MCGUIRK | HIGHTOWER/THE BAPIS GROUP | HIGHTOWER/LYMAN GROUP | HIGHTOWER WESTCHESTER | HIGHTOWER WEALTH ADVISORS|ST. LOUIS | HIGHTOWER TEXAS | HIGHTOWER SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT | HIGHTOWER SIGNATURE WEALTH | HIGHTOWER SCOTTSDALE | HIGHTOWER OMAHA | HIGHTOWER NAPLES | HIGHTOWER LAS VEGAS | HIGHTOWER LAKEWATER | HIGHTOWER GREAT LAKES | HIGHTOWER GAYLE JOHNSON | HIGHTOWER FORT MYERS | HIGHTOWER BUFFALO | HIGHTOWER BETHESDA | HIGHTOWER BELLEVUE | HIGHTOWER AUSTIN | HIGHTOWER ADVISORS, LLC | HIGHTOWER | HIGHLAND PRIVATE WEALTH MANAGEMENT | HIERAX WEALTH PARTNERS | GREEN SQUARE WEALTH MANANGEMENT | FORTRESS WEALTH PLANNING | FISCHER STRALEM ADVISORS | FINANCIAL PRINCIPLES | FINANCIAL PLANNING AND INFORMATION SERVICES | FIDUCIARY PLAN ADVISORS | FEINBERG STEIN FINANCIAL SERVICES | FARR, MILLER AND WASHINGTON | FALCON WEALTH ADVISORS | FAIRPORT WEALTH | ENVISION FINANCIAL GROUP | EGAN WEALTH ADVISORS | DSG ADVISORS | DEGGELMAN/PARKER GROUP | DECHTMAN WEALTH MANAGEMENT | D3 WEALTH PARTNERS | CREST CAPITAL ADVISORS | COGNETIC CAPITAL ADVISORS | CLEAR PERSPECTIVE ADVISORS | CLARITY POINT FINANCIAL PARTNERS | CHARLES D. HYMAN & COMPANY | CAPITAL MANAGEMENT GROUP | OF NEW YORK | BOSTON HILL ADVISORS | BLUEROCK WEALTH MANAGEMENT | BLANKE SCHEIN WEALTH MANAGEMENT | BICKLING FINANCIAL SERVICES | BEL AIR INVESTMENT ADVISORS | ARGENT WEALTH MANAGEMENT | ANDERSON FINANCIAL GROUP @ HIGHTOWER | AMIDEI ROMANO GROUP | ALTIUM WEALTH MANAGEMENT | ALINE WEALTH MANAGEMENT | ALEXANDRIA CAPITAL | ACACIA WEALTH ADVISORS | 6 MERIDIAN
CRD#: 145323 / SEC#: 801-69625
RIA
Registered Investment Advisory firm - (10/3/2008 Approved)State Registrations and Notice Filings
Listed states reflect where the advisor is authorized to serve clients under state regulations.
Visual representation of state registrations
This advisor is not registered in any state.
Exams
State Security Law Exam
State Security Law Exam
General Industry/Product Exam
RR
Series 52TO
Date: 1/2/2023
Municipal Securities Representative ExaminationGeneral Industry/Product Exam
General Industry/Product Exam
General Industry/Product Exam
General Industry/Product Exam
Principal/Supervisory Exam
Principal/Supervisory Exam
Current Firm
HIGHTOWER ADVISORS, LLC
2/13 STRATEGIC PARTNERS | XCEPTION ADVISORY GROUP | WOLF-COLLINS WEALTH MANAGEMENT | WISEHAUPT, BRAY ASSET MANAGEMENT | WHITE WEALTH MANAGEMENT | WHITE PINE WEALTH MANAGEMENT | WEALTHTRUST ADVISORS | VWG WEALTH MANAGEMENT | VIGILANT WEALTH MANAGEMENT | UNITED FIDUCIARY PARTNERS, LLC | UNITED FIDUCIARY ADVISORS, LLC | TWICKENHAM ADVISORS | TRUE WEALTH ADVISORY GROUP | TRESNAN FERST WEALTH ADVISORS | TREASURY PARTNERS | THREE BRIDGE WEALTH ADVISORS | THE THRUSH GROUP | THE RIKOON GROUP | THE RAND GROUP | THE OTTO GROUP | THE NULMAN GROUP | THE MORGIA GROUP | THE MCGUIRK & DE NEVI GROUP | THE LEVIN GROUP | THE LEVENTHAL GROUP | THE LERNER GROUP | THE KELLY & WOHLNER GROUP | THE HAUSBERG GROUP | THE G3 ADVISORY GROUP | THE DILLIG GROUP | THE DEGGELMAN/PARKER GROUP | THE BLANKE SCHEIN GROUP | THE BAHNSEN GROUP | THE ANDRIOLE GROUP | TEN CAPITAL WEALTH ADVISORS | TEAK TREE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT | SYNERGY CAPITAL SOLUTIONS | STRATA WEALTH PARTNERS | STRATA WEALTH MANAGEMENT | STEARNS FINANCIAL GROUP | SOMERSET ADVISORY | SMITH ANGLIN FINANCIAL | SIMMONS-WILKES INVESTMENT ADVISORS | SIMMONS INVESTMENT ADVISORS | SILLER & COHEN | SHAFFER WEALTH MANAGEMENT | SCHULTZ COLLINS | SCANNELL WEALTH MANAGEMENT GROUP | ROSENAU/PAUL GROUP | ROSE ADVISORS | RJ WEALTH MANAGEMENT | RESOURCE CONSULTING GROUP | RESOLUTE INDEPENDENT ADVISORS | RDM FINANCIAL GROUP | PRIVATE VISTA | PRESIDIO WEALTH PARTNERS | PDS WEALTH MANAGEMENT | PAGNATO-KARP GROUP | OSBORN, WILLIAMS, & DONOHOE | ONEARC CAPITAL ADVISORS | NUCLEUS ADVISORS | NATOMA WEALTH | MURRAY WEALTH MANAGEMENT | MORSE, TOWEY, WHITE & HOFFMAN | MORSE TOWEY & WHITE | MORGIA WEALTH MANAGEMENT | MOLNAR/NORDLICHT GROUP | MK WEALTH MANAGEMENT | MEYER CAPITAL GROUP | MATTHIAS KUHLMEY AT HIGHTOWER | MASTERSON, EMMA, & ASSOCIATES | LYON WEALTH MANAGEMENT, INC. | LYON WEALTH MANAGEMENT AT HIGHTOWER | LUMA WEALTH ADVISORS | LRG WEALTH ADVISORS | LOURDMURRAY | LOUIS WEALTH MANAGEMENT | LK WEALTH & ASSET MANAGEMENT | LINDBROOK CAPITAL | LEXINGTON WEALTH MANAGEMENT, INC. | LEXINGTON WEALTH MANAGEMENT | LEONETTI AND ASSOCIATES | LEGACY WEALTH ADVISORS | LCK WEALTH MANAGEMENT | LANDSBERG BENNETT PRIVATE WEALTH MANAGEMENT | KLEIN WEALTH MANAGEMENT | KELLY WEALTH MANAGEMENT | IRONGATE PARTNERS | INVESTMENT SECURITY GROUP | HWM ADVISORS | HUMMER MOWER ASSOCIATES | HT|TC WEALTH PARTNERS | HSW ADVISORS | HILL WEALTH MANAGEMENT | HIGHTOWER/THOMAS MCGUIRK | HIGHTOWER/THE BAPIS GROUP | HIGHTOWER/LYMAN GROUP | HIGHTOWER WESTCHESTER | HIGHTOWER WEALTH ADVISORS|ST. LOUIS | HIGHTOWER TEXAS | HIGHTOWER SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT | HIGHTOWER SIGNATURE WEALTH | HIGHTOWER SCOTTSDALE | HIGHTOWER OMAHA | HIGHTOWER NAPLES | HIGHTOWER LAS VEGAS | HIGHTOWER LAKEWATER | HIGHTOWER GREAT LAKES | HIGHTOWER GAYLE JOHNSON | HIGHTOWER FORT MYERS | HIGHTOWER BUFFALO | HIGHTOWER BETHESDA | HIGHTOWER BELLEVUE | HIGHTOWER AUSTIN | HIGHTOWER ADVISORS, LLC | HIGHTOWER | HIGHLAND PRIVATE WEALTH MANAGEMENT | HIERAX WEALTH PARTNERS | GREEN SQUARE WEALTH MANANGEMENT | FORTRESS WEALTH PLANNING | FISCHER STRALEM ADVISORS | FINANCIAL PRINCIPLES | FINANCIAL PLANNING AND INFORMATION SERVICES | FIDUCIARY PLAN ADVISORS | FEINBERG STEIN FINANCIAL SERVICES | FARR, MILLER AND WASHINGTON | FALCON WEALTH ADVISORS | FAIRPORT WEALTH | ENVISION FINANCIAL GROUP | EGAN WEALTH ADVISORS | DSG ADVISORS | DEGGELMAN/PARKER GROUP | DECHTMAN WEALTH MANAGEMENT | D3 WEALTH PARTNERS | CREST CAPITAL ADVISORS | COGNETIC CAPITAL ADVISORS | CLEAR PERSPECTIVE ADVISORS | CLARITY POINT FINANCIAL PARTNERS | CHARLES D. HYMAN & COMPANY | CAPITAL MANAGEMENT GROUP | OF NEW YORK | BOSTON HILL ADVISORS | BLUEROCK WEALTH MANAGEMENT | BLANKE SCHEIN WEALTH MANAGEMENT | BICKLING FINANCIAL SERVICES | BEL AIR INVESTMENT ADVISORS | ARGENT WEALTH MANAGEMENT | ANDERSON FINANCIAL GROUP @ HIGHTOWER | AMIDEI ROMANO GROUP | ALTIUM WEALTH MANAGEMENT | ALINE WEALTH MANAGEMENT | ALEXANDRIA CAPITAL | ACACIA WEALTH ADVISORS | 6 MERIDIAN
CRD#: 145323 / SEC#: 801-69625
RIA
Registered Investment Advisory firm - (10/3/2008 Approved)Upgrade to AdvisorCheck Premium
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Contact information
Main Address
200 W. Madison St. Suite 2500, Chicago, IL 60606
Mailing Address
Phone number
(312) 962-3800
Established
Firm type
Fiscal year end
# of Employees
1,837
SEC notice filing (52 States and Territories)
Regulatory assets under management
| Total Number of Accounts | 194,461 |
| AUM (Assets Under Management) | $ 164,789,471,551 |
Accountant surprise examination report
| Filing Date | Form ADV-E Cover | Form ADV-E Report |
|---|---|---|
| 11/05/2025 | ||
| 10/28/2025 | ||
| 10/28/2025 | ||
| 09/29/2025 | ||
| 09/17/2025 | ||
| 09/15/2025 | ||
| 08/28/2025 | ||
| 01/28/2025 | ||
| 01/28/2025 | ||
| 01/28/2025 | ||
| 12/12/2024 | ||
| 12/06/2024 | ||
| 11/11/2024 | ||
| 10/25/2024 | ||
| 09/27/2024 | ||
| 09/26/2024 | ||
| 12/21/2023 | ||
| 12/19/2023 | ||
| 12/19/2023 | ||
| 12/19/2023 | ||
| 12/11/2023 | ||
| 11/20/2023 | ||
| 11/15/2023 | ||
| 11/08/2023 | ||
| 11/07/2023 | ||
| 10/30/2023 | ||
| 10/25/2023 | ||
| 01/25/2023 | ||
| 12/21/2022 | ||
| 12/15/2022 | ||
| 12/15/2022 | ||
| 12/08/2022 | ||
| 11/28/2022 | ||
| 11/18/2022 |
Red Flags
Disclosures can be potential red flags, including customer disputes, regulatory fines, employer terminations, bankruptcies, judgments, liens, or certain criminal activities.
Check for any disclosures as part of your thorough research when choosing an advisor.
