Former Merrill Lynch Executives Launch Indivisible Partners, a New Independent Advisory Firm

Posted on January 13th, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Former Merrill Lynch Executives Launch Indivisible Partners, a New Independent Advisory Firm

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law 

John W. Thiel, the former head of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, has announced plans to launch Indivisible Partners, an independent registered investment advisory (RIA) firm, in early 2025. Thiel will serve as the executive chairman, joined by several former Merrill executives who have previously transitioned out of corporate roles.

According to AdvisorHub, Indivisible’s regulatory licenses are still pending; however, Thiel and his team have reportedly engaged with Merrill advisors to gauge interest in joining the new RIA. Key leaders include John Hogarty, former Merrill Chief Operating Officer, now taking the same role at Indivisible; Paul T. Lambert and Bill Lorenz, former Merrill divisional managers, now co-presidents; and Tom Fickinger, a past Merrill divisional leader, as president of advisor teams. Stephen Hostetler, who recently left Merrill, will be Indivisible’s chief compliance officer, while former Merrill COO successor, Michael Adornetto, will oversee operations and service.

AdvisorHub also reports that Indivisible’s team includes executives with backgrounds from Fidelity Investments and American Century Investments. Peter Cieszko, formerly at Fidelity’s Institutional Services, will lead client solutions, while Tom Corra, a former Fidelity executive, will serve as chief financial officer. Alok Kapoor, another Fidelity alum, is listed as a founding member.
 

Eccleston Law LLC represents investors and financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, transition, regulatory and disciplinary matters.

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

I just received this letter from the CFP Board. Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU!

David Y

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

February 23, 2026
Drive Planning Founder Pleads Guilty to $380 Million Ponzi Scheme

Todd Burkhalter, founder and chief executive officer of Drive Planning LLC, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud after admitting he orchestrated a $380 million Ponzi scheme that defrauded more than 2,000 investors.

February 20, 2026
Edward Jones Expands Equity-Style Awards to Thousands More Advisors

Edward D. Jones & Co. has expanded eligibility for its “profits interest” award, extending the equity-style incentive to thousands more advisors, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing reviewed by AdvisorHub.

February 19, 2026
Wall Street Journal Analysis Questions Investor Gains Following DuPont's Decade-Long Breakup

A Wall Street Journal analysis has raised questions about investor returns following DuPont’s multi-year corporate restructuring, which divided the historic conglomerate into multiple independent companies.