“I want to make the right decisions but I don’t have time to figure it out on my own.” “Can you help me with my student loans? This is more complicated than I thought it would be.” “How do I invest? I know it’s important but I don’t know the best way to do it and I don’t want to mess it up” Have you said any of these before? You’re not alone if you have. I have heard these statements from many lawyers I’ve met throughout my wife’s time in law school and her legal career. As a CPA, CFP, and someone who has worked in financial planning, I have seen young people who are overwhelmed about managing their personal finances. I have also seen people near retirement who unfortunately didn’t make good financial decisions and now have to modify their future lifestyles because of their financial situations. I hate seeing people not achieve everything they want in life because they can’t afford their dream lifestyle. So I set out to change that. My mission is to help young lawyers establish a strong financial foundation early in their careers so they can capitalize on future opportunities instead of trying to fix financial mistakes. So I created the Developing Financial Process. My process identifies what is most important to you, analyzes your current financial situation, builds a comprehensive financial plan, implements the plan, adapts the plan as your life changes on an ongoing basis, and most importantly educates and empowers you throughout the entire process. My process helps you pay off your student loans completely, invest effectively, save and spend intentionally, and achieve your financial goals and ambitions. I believe that everyone should live their dream life without worrying about their finances. I live what I preach and when I’m not working, I am out living. I love to travel and have visited many states and countries. My family and I go camping, spend time at the beach, and visit friends and family as often as possible. I truly love educating and empowering people to live their ideal life. I hope you reach out to learn more about my process and how financial planning can benefit young lawyers like yourself!

Jonathan Thompson is the Resident Director at Merrill, where he has been serving clients since 2005. In his role, Jonathan emphasizes a comprehensive approach to wealth management, beginning with understanding each client’s unique needs and goals. He connects clients with the investment expertise of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and the banking services of Bank of America to address various financial aspects. His focus areas include college education planning, family and international wealth management, retirement planning, tax minimization, and small business strategies, among others. Jonathan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Azusa Pacific University and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC) designation. He works closely with professionals, business owners, and affluent families to develop wealth management strategies aimed at optimizing wealth while managing risk. Jonathan is also committed to his local community in Novato and Marin County, where he volunteers by coaching youth sports. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Jonathan enjoys tennis, golf, hiking, and spending time with his family.