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.
Now that the broker standard of conduct has been in force for 20 months, the debate over its effectiveness is intensifying.
Hefren-Tillotson will add 90 financial advisers working out of six Pittsburgh-area offices to the more than 1,300 advisers in Baird's private wealth management business.
Many advisers are telling clients to wait until the smoke clears on Capitol Hill before making major tax planning decisions.
The four-adviser HBGW Group is moving to Baird’s office in Greenville, South Carolina.
Listen to a particular client's needs rather than the noise in Washington, advisers said at the IN Retirement Income Summit.
The InvestmentNews event held Tuesday in New York City highlighted top firms and individuals consistently working toward a more equitable and inclusive profession.
Margaret Wilkin is joining a Baird office in Roseville, California.
A father-and-son duo in Sarasota, Florida joins the firm’s employee channel.
James Galkowski will open an office for the firm in Rochester, Minnesota.
His slim Senate confirmation margin reflects GOP concerns about the aggressive approach Gensler has signaled on issues like expanding corporate disclosures related to environmental, social and governance factors.
Veteran advisers Kellie Rixse and business partner Jeff Todd make move in Anchorage, Alaska.
Doche Financial Consulting Group is based in Scottsdale, Arizona
The WillowPointe Group, a two-adviser, five-person team, joins in Cookeville, Tennessee.
The client choice approach reflected in Reg BI is in fact the best approach for individual investors because every individual and family is unique when it comes to their wealth management needs and goals.
The plaintiff failed to raise issues with the company's process of selecting and monitoring funds, a judge wrote
