Meet your Mesirow Wealth Management team
We serve our clients through a personal, individualized approach to reaching financial goals, helping build comprehensive wealth plans and guiding important financial decisions through changing markets.
Recent events
CFA Dinner
Jim had the pleasure of attending the CFA Society of Chicago’s 37th annual dinner. Mesirow was a proud sponsor of the event, and attendees connected with other investment professionals and key industry decision makers.
Mesirow is not affiliated with this association.
Dare2Tri golf outing
Paul and Jim recently represented Mesirow at the annual Dare 2 Tri golf outing. The non-profit specializes in adaptive sports and equipping athletes of all abilities to break through barriers they may face.
Mesirow is not affiliated with this association.
HPCF highlight
David Israel has been a member of the Highland Park Community Foundation for the past four years and has served as Treasurer, on the Board of Directors, for the past two. This month David is being recognized and highlighted for his outstanding contributions to the foundation and the community it serves.
Mesirow is not affiliated with this organization.
Plan ahead
by James E. Gaines, CFA, CFP®
How to strategize tax diversification
Within personal finance, diversification is most often understood as the practice of spreading investments across various asset classes in order to mitigate overall portfolio risk. However, there is another important form of diversification that often gets overlooked. Strategically allocating assets across accounts with varying tax treatments can help optimize tax efficiency, reduce risk, provide tax flexibility, and potentially maximize after-tax returns. read more
FDIC Insurance: What you need to know after the recent bank failures
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was founded in 1933 during the Great Depression to increase public faith in US Banks. Learn about how the FDIC effects your bank savings. read more
Delay taxes on appreciated investment property of business assets
Many of our clients own business assets or personal property that have appreciated in value and struggle with ways to sell these assets without triggering immediate capital gains taxes. The good news is, there is a way to defer these taxes by using a 1031 Exchange. read more
What to expect “financially” when you’re expecting
Having a baby is one of the most exhilarating and awe-inspiring moments in most people’s lives, truly a time of profound emotion and personal joy. However, that joy also comes with additional financial complexities that can be dealt with by planning ahead. read more
Inflation, interest rates and your pocketbook
The US Government and the Federal Reserve took aggressive action to support the US economy during the pandemic. Over two years later, we are experiencing the inflationary effects of those stimulus programs. The Russian invasion of Ukraine further jolted inflation as the commodity and oil markets spiked and supply chain disruptions worsened. Today, inflation continues at the highest rate since the early 80’s and the Federal Reserve is taking action to combat it. Learn more about how such an environment could affect your personal finances. read more
Small business owners: The value of a 401(k) Third Party Administrator
A Third Party Administrator can help alleviate many of the administrative duties associated with managing a 401(k) plan for self-employed or small business owners. read more
WTTW celebration of 2024
Jim Gaines recently attended the WTTW and WFMT gala hosted by Renee and Lester Crown and the Board of Trustees. The gala was in celebration of 2024 and WTTW’s work to enrich lives, engage communities, and inspire exploration.
Mesirow is not affiliated with this association.
Ravinia golf outing
Jim Gaines recently attended the Magic of Music golf outing. The event was in support of the Ravinia board of trustees who were raising money for Reach Teach Play. Along with wealth advisor attendees Mesirow was also represented by Richard Price, Executive Chairman of Mesirow, and his wife who sponsored the 10th hole.
Mesirow is not affiliated with this association.
Volunteering at Mesirow
Paul Blumberg, along with his wife Lisa, joined other Mesirow employees for the third annual Richard Mesirow day. Together employees packed over 450 “Boredom Buster Bags” for Highwood Public Library, and afterwards the bags were distributed to youth in the Highwood area. Richard Mesirow day is a day we take to remember and carry on the philanthropic legacy that Richard left on the firm.
Mesirow is not affiliated with this association.
Law seminar
The Lake County Bar Association’s Family Law Seminar was held in late October ’23. Jim Gaines was featured as one of the presenters, providing training for attorneys on a variety of financial topics from how to start saving to taxable investment accounts.
Mesirow is not affiliated with this organization.
Fundraising
David, Paul and Jim recently helped sponsor a fundraising event for Dare2Tri, a non-profit organization committed to removing barriers to sports and fitness. Dare2Tri encourages recreation, racing, and competition, while also cultivating a sense of community for all athletes, who are not labeled by physical ability, but rather their determination and will to succeed. Learn more about how you can get involved.
Mesirow is not affiliated with the Dare2Tri organization.
Mesirow does not provide legal or tax advice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The views expressed above are as of the date given, may change as market or other conditions change, and may differ from views express by other Mesirow associates. This is not a solicitation to buy or sell the securities mentioned. Do not use this information as the sole basis for investment decisions, it is not intended as advice designed to meet the particular needs of an individual investor. Information herein has been obtained from sources which Mesirow believes to be reliable, we do not guarantee its accuracy and such information may be incomplete and/or condensed. All opinions and estimates included herein are subject to change without notice. This communication may contain privileged and/or confidential information. It is intended solely for the use of the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient, you are strictly prohibited from disclosing, copying, distributing or using any of the information. If you receive this communication in error, please contact the sender immediately and destroy the material in its entirety, whether electronic or hard copy. This material is for informational purposes only and is not intended as an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase or sale of any security.
Mesirow refers to Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc. and its divisions, subsidiaries and affiliates. The Mesirow name and logo are registered service marks of Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc. ©2025, Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved. Any opinions expressed are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Advisory Fees are described in Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc.’s Form ADV Part 2A. Advisory services offered through Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc. an SEC registered investment advisor. Securities offered by Mesirow Financial, Inc. member FINRA and SIPC.