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 want to thank you for your excellent professional representation. It was greatly appreciated.

Michael M.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

March 16, 2026
Concorde Investment Services Faces Scrutiny Over Sales of Inspired Healthcare Private Investments

Concorde Investment Services is facing increased scrutiny following the bankruptcy of Inspired Healthcare Capital, whose private investment offerings were widely sold through independent broker dealers, according to InvestmentNews.

March 13, 2026
Connecticut Advisor Pleads Guilty to Ponzi-Like Investment Fraud and Tax Evasion

Federal prosecutors announced that investment adviser John A.

March 12, 2026
Cape Coral Becomes Ground Zero for Private Lending Strains in Post-Pandemic Housing Market

Cape Coral, Florida, long a magnet for out-of-state real estate investors, now illustrates the growing risks of private lending in residential development.