Office address: 777 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Website: rwbaird.com
Year established: 1919
Company type: financial services
Employees: 5,300+
Expertise: wealth management, asset management, investment banking, private equity, trust services, public finance, institutional research, equity trading, fixed income, estate planning
Parent company: Baird Financial Corporation
Key people: Steven Booth (CEO), James Allen and Kim Fleming (vice chairs), Timothy Byrne (chief information officer), Erik Dahlberg (president), Brian Doyal (co-head of global investment banking), Terrance Maxwell (CFO)
Financing status: corporation
Baird (Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated) is an employee-owned financial services firm based in Milwaukee, with more than 200 offices worldwide. As of 2025, it manages $525 billion in client assets and offers:
The company is recognized for reporting steady profits every year for 40 years and for its strong financial management.
The company was founded by Robert W. Baird in 1919. It weathered the Great Depression and played a role in financing local landmarks, like the Empire Building in Milwaukee.
The company’s leadership made bold moves, such as buying back $1 million in stock from its parent company in 1934. This gave the firm more control over its future.
In 1948, Baird joined the NYSE, with partners like Frieda Mueller helping pave the way. The postwar era brought new opportunities, and the firm guided investors through changing markets. The 1960s and 1970s saw the company grow its offices and support local companies, even during tough economic times.
The 1980s and 1990s brought more growth, with Baird focusing on research and client service. The firm expanded internationally in 1999 by acquiring Granville in London as it aimed to become a top middle-market investment firm.
In 2004, the company became fully independent again after buying itself back from Northwestern Mutual, reinforcing its employee-owned culture.
The company marked its 100th anniversary in 2019 by bringing thousands of associates to Milwaukee. In 2024, Baird won a $4.6 million arbitration claim, defending its business against Raymond James.
In 2025, it welcomed advisor teams from Janney and Wells Fargo to show its focus on growth and service. The company also expanded into Massachusetts with a new wealth office in Danvers.
Baird’s investment offerings are shaped by its employee ownership and focus on long-term relationships. The firm delivers a broad set of solutions, which include:
The company serves clients from more than 200 locations worldwide, including offices across three continents. Its broad reach and experienced team help deliver specialized solutions wherever clients need them.
Baird states that its culture values employee ownership and encourages every voice and idea. The firm says it is committed to a diverse, inclusive environment built on trust and respect.
The company’s mission is to live out its Baird Way:
The firm views inclusion and diversity as a shared responsibility and ongoing journey. The company says that it supports progress for associates, clients, and communities through a range of benefits:
It also supports ESG principles by running programs like Baird Gives Back Week and the Go Green initiative. The firm reports 200,000 client households get paperless statements, and 90 percent of workstation materials are recyclable.
Steve Booth is chair and CEO of the firm and serves on the board of Baird Financial Group and related companies. Before joining the company, Booth worked at Kidder, Peabody & Co. in Chicago’s corporate finance office. He holds business and economics degrees from Southern Methodist University and an MBA from Northwestern.
The leadership team at Baird guides the firm’s strategy and supports its long-term growth and client focus:
Baird says that its leadership team focuses on stability and deep industry experience. Their continuity helps strengthen client relationships and build lasting expertise.
Baird has expanded its presence in California by opening a new office in Santa Clara. The company brought on Robert Choy as director and financial advisor, who managed $150 million at Edelman Financial Engines, a national investment advisory firm. This move is part of a wave of 2025 initiatives by major firms to bring in experienced advisors and expand their reach.
To expand access to alternative investments for US wealth clients, the company has also formed a strategic partnership with Sagard. It acquired a minority stake with the Canadian alternative asset manager and will distribute select alternative strategies through its private wealth network. This collaboration helps Baird offer new investment options and supports its long-term focus on product innovation and advisor education.
The political makeup doesn’t bode well for passing major tax legislation — and a bill that imposes a specific levy on billionaires would be substantial.
If a surviving spouse is collecting their own Social Security retirement or disability benefit when their spouse dies, or is not yet collecting Social Security, they will have to apply for survivor benefits.
An unusual coordinated effort among state lawmakers seeks to impose wealth taxes across the country, but advisors warn levies on assets will drive high-net-worth clients to lower-tax states.
The Senate and House bills will both die at the end of the year if they are not approved. It’s not clear whether sponsors will reintroduce them in January.
The SEC chairman wants to reduce the costs of the men and women in the middle of the market. That means you, InvestmentNews readers.
The father-son adviser team operate as Thannisch Wealth Management of Raymond James in Austin, Texas.
The eight-adviser group, which operates as The Wise Investor Group of Raymond James in Reston, Virginia, joins the firm's employee channel.
Scott Park and Aimee Morrin join firm’s Oak Brook, Illinois, office.
The provision was rejected as an amendment to the Senate Finance Committee's EARN Act, but it could reemerge in a final bill sent to the floor of the House and Senate.
The bill would more than double the 0% tax bracket for long-term capital gains and dividends, but its political prospects in the Democratic-controlled Congress are cloudy.
The three-person Arnold & Tai Group is joining the firm in Denver.
Every ETF focused on Russian stocks will soon be suspended, a kind of shutdown that never resulted from previous events like the Arab Spring or even Covid.
Last year’s attempt to raise taxes on the wealthy has catalyzed conversations between advisers and clients about tax strategies this season.
Jennifer Main joins Raymond James & Associates – the firm's employee advisory channel in Oskaloosa, Iowa.
A solo adviser joined the firm in Yakima, Washington, and a duo signed on in Durango, Colorado.
