Essex LLC logo

Essex LLC

Updated today

Client AUM

$606,978,166

Clients

576

Advisors

9

across 2 offices

About

Essex, LLC is a registered investment adviser that provides discretionary and non‑discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting to individuals (including high‑net‑worth clients), trusts, retirement plans, pension and charitable organizations. As of December 31, 2025 the firm reported managing about $649.3 million for roughly 576 client accounts and also offers management of variable annuity sub‑accounts and held‑away defined‑contribution accounts via a third‑party platform (Pontera).

Investment decisions are made by a multi‑member investment policy committee and the firm constructs model portfolios using a mix of fundamental, technical and sector analysis across equities, fixed income, ETFs, options, futures and other instruments. Portfolios are monitored continuously with formal annual reviews, and the brochure describes reliance on model outputs combined with professional judgment while documenting and managing material conflicts and a range of investment risks.

The firm’s ADV and brochure disclose several practices that are less common among similarly sized team firms: it reports using endorsements and advertising third‑party ratings, and it discloses the use of borrowing within separately managed accounts, each presented alongside the firm’s fiduciary and compliance policies. Essex also describes its use of a third‑party platform for held‑away assets, engagement of solicitors and lead‑generation services for referrals, and its primary custody relationship with Charles Schwab, all of which can affect how clients receive statements, fee billing, and marketing information.

Client services

Financial planning Portfolio management

Expertise

Options & derivatives strategies Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Annuities

Occupation focus

Self-Employed Executive

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Fee options

Project-based

Partner / Principal $500-750 per hour; Senior Consultant $200-300 per hour; Consultant $150-200 per hour; Account Supervisor $100-125 per hour

Main office

See office

21805 Field Parkway, Suite 340

Deer Park IL 60010

Advisors at this office

8

Most active in

Arizona · California · Colorado · Florida · Illinois · Indiana · Louisiana · Michigan · Minnesota · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New York · North Carolina · Ohio · Texas · Virginia · Wisconsin

Disclosures

Exclamation point means they have disclosures of this type. Check mark means no disclosures of this type were found.

Business activities & affiliations

Advisors at this firm

user avatar

Robert T

Series 65

Deer Park, IL

Essex LLC

Robert Tutela is a financial advisor at Essex, LLC with nine years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has been with Essex since 2016. Tutela serves as a SmartAsset Ambassador, consulting as an independent contractor to generate sales leads for his firm. Essex, LLC is a registered investment adviser managing approximately $649.3 million across about 576 client accounts. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services to a diverse client base, including high-net-worth individuals, trusts, retirement plans, and charitable organizations. Investment decisions are made by a multi-member committee using a blend of fundamental, technical, and sector analysis.

Options & derivatives strategies Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Annuities Self-Employed Executive
user avatar

Arthur F

Series 65

Deer Park, IL

Essex LLC

Arthur Freedman is a Series 65-licensed advisor with Essex LLC, based in Deer Park, IL, and has 24 years of industry experience. He has worked at Essex LLC since 2000. Essex LLC is a registered investment adviser serving individuals, trusts, retirement plans, and charitable organizations. The firm uses a multi-member investment policy committee to construct and monitor portfolios using fundamental, technical, and sector analysis across various asset classes.

Options & derivatives strategies Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Annuities Self-Employed Executive
user avatar

Edward C

CFP®, Series 65

Deer Park, IL

Essex LLC

Edward Connolly is a CFP® with 16 years of industry experience and is currently affiliated with Essex LLC. He previously worked for IRON Financial LLC for 15 years. Essex LLC is a registered investment adviser serving individuals, trusts, retirement plans, pension, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a multi-member investment policy committee to construct and monitor portfolios using a combination of fundamental, technical, and sector analysis across various asset classes.

Options & derivatives strategies Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Annuities Self-Employed Executive
user avatar

Benjamin C

CFP®, Series 65

Spring Lake, MI

Essex LLC

Benjamin Cairns is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license with 11 years of industry experience. He has been with Essex LLC since 2014. Essex LLC is a team-based registered investment adviser managing approximately $563 million for around 600 clients, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a range of portfolio management strategies informed by fundamental, technical, and sector analysis, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary services along with financial planning.

Options & derivatives strategies Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Annuities Self-Employed Executive
user avatar

James H

Series 65

Deer Park, IL

Essex LLC

James Hartwell is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor with Essex LLC in Deer Park, Illinois, where he has worked since 1997. He has 25 years of experience in the industry and is part of a seven-advisor team. Essex LLC is a team-based registered investment adviser managing approximately $563 million for around 600 clients, including individuals, employer-sponsored retirement plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management and financial planning, utilizing model portfolios with a mix of equities, fixed income, ETFs, and investment company shares informed by fundamental, technical, and sector analysis.

Options & derivatives strategies Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Annuities Self-Employed Executive
user avatar

Nancy E

Series 63, Series 66

Deer Park, IL

Essex LLC

Nancy Effert is a financial advisor at Essex LLC with 20 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has previously worked at ChangePath, LLC and Partnervest Advisory Services, LLC. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved in life insurance and annuity sales through Effert Financial Solutions. Essex LLC is a team-based registered investment adviser managing approximately $563 million for around 600 clients, including individuals, retirement plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and consultation services, employing model portfolios and a range of analytical approaches to asset selection and monitoring.

Options & derivatives strategies Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Annuities Self-Employed Executive
user avatar

Colin H

Series 65

Deer Park, IL

Essex LLC

Colin Hartwell is a financial advisor at Essex LLC with a Series 65 credential and is early in his career. His work history includes multiple roles at Essex LLC since 2023 and prior experience in education at various schools and Miami University. Essex LLC is a registered investment adviser managing approximately $649 million across individual and institutional clients. The firm uses a multi-member investment policy committee to develop model portfolios with a mix of fundamental, technical, and sector analysis, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management and financial planning services.

Options & derivatives strategies Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Annuities Self-Employed Executive
user avatar

Justin N

Series 63, Series 65

Deer Park, IL

Essex LLC

Justin Nolan is a financial advisor at Essex LLC with 10 years at the firm and 4 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 certifications. Outside of his advisory role, Nolan serves as a director for FPI Inc., a forging industry company, and participates on the finance committee of the Westmoreland Country Club in Wilmette, Illinois. Essex LLC is a registered investment adviser that serves individuals, trusts, retirement plans, pension, and charitable organizations. The firm manages approximately $649 million across various client accounts using a multi-member investment policy committee and a mix of fundamental, technical, and sector analysis to construct and monitor portfolios.

Options & derivatives strategies Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Annuities Self-Employed Executive
user avatar

Erik M

Series 65

Deer Park, IL

Essex LLC

Erik Miller is a financial advisor at Essex LLC with a Series 65 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Essex, he worked at Safe Harbor Wealth Advisors and has a background including roles at Miami University and several golf and country clubs. Essex LLC is a registered investment adviser serving individuals, trusts, retirement plans, and charitable organizations, managing approximately $649 million across 576 client accounts. The firm employs a multi-member investment policy committee to guide portfolio construction using a combination of fundamental, technical, and sector analysis across various asset classes.

Options & derivatives strategies Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Annuities Self-Employed Executive
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