The Berlin Esman Magnusen Group

Merrill Private Wealth Management
2049 Century Park East
Floor 12
Los Angeles CA 90067
(310) 407.4861
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Our mission is to provide bespoke, highly customized advice and guidance to you and your family through all stages of life and across generations. Whatever your goals and aspirations may be, we aim to simplify the complex so you can focus on what matters.
Welcome

With extensive knowledge and experience advising individuals, families and foundations across the country, we understand the nuances and complexities that come with institutional sized wealth. Every relationship with our team starts with deep discovery grounded in a genuine interest to learn about you and the things that are important to you. Based on your unique situation, we design and deliver investment, lending, and wealth planning strategies to meet your goals and objectives. We are committed to providing a boutique level of service to our clients with access to the global investment resources of Merrill and the banking and lending capabilities of Bank of America.

Recognition
Lara Magnusen
Managing Director, Private Wealth Manager
Forbes "Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State", 2026
Our Approach
About Us

Our team provides white glove service and advice to clients with complex financial lives that require customized strategies and appropriate solutions—including founders and entrepreneurs, family offices, large real estate investors, financial sponsors and their principals, as well as inheritors of family wealth.

We work collectively to help simplify and organize your wealth by offering specialized knowledge, broad experience and personal attention, supported by the extensive resources and services of a global institution.

Meet Our Team
Geoffrey Berlin,

CEPA®, CFP®

Managing Director, Private Wealth Manager
Lara Magnusen,

CAIA®

Managing Director, Private Wealth Manager
Kenneth Esman
Managing Director, Private Wealth Manager
Additional Resources
The following specialists do not make securities recommendations. Please contact your Merrill Private Wealth Management Advisor if you have questions about how a specialist might be able to assist you.
Gregory Fry
Structured Credit Executive
Bank of America, N.A.
Jean Y. Kim
Private Wealth Strategist
Merrill
Joseph Bui
Endowment and Foundation Specialist
Bank of America Private Bank
About Private Wealth

Bringing fresh perspectives to your financial life

The financial decisions you make today can help determine the future you build for yourself and your family. Carving a clear path forward starts with connecting your life and finances. A Merrill advisor provides access to the investing insights of Merrill and banking capabilities of Bank of America to help you make informed decisions as you pursue your goals.

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Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and the CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
CAIA® and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst® are registered service marks of the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association.