Advisor moves: LPL loses a team to Raymond James, picks up Morgan Stanley breakaways

Two advisory teams totaling nearly $1 billion in combined client assets have made significant moves this week, with LPL Financial gaining breakaways while losing a team to Raymond James.

Raymond James Financial Services welcomed financial advisors John Chaulklin and Brian Clayton to its independent advisor channel in Burlington, North Carolina. The duo arrived from LPL Financial, where they previously managed over $540 million in client assets.

The pair is joined by office manager Faith Rodriguez and registered client service associate Johnny Campbell. Their practice focuses on personalized financial planning, retirement planning, portfolio management and longevity planning, serving primarily families, individuals, pre-retirees and retirees.

"Our priority has always been helping clients navigate important financial decisions with personalized guidance and a long-term perspective," Chaulklin said in a statement. "Raymond James offers the advisor-focused culture, technology and impactful planning resources that support how our team performs as we continue this next chapter."

Chaulklin adds more than 33 years of industry experience to RJFS, having spent the last 14 years at LPL. He holds a degree in business administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Clayton, who has 27 years in the industry, earned a bachelor's degree in industrial technology from East Carolina University.

The move was announced by Todd Gartrell, Southeast division director for RJFS.

Breakaways join LPL

Meanwhile, LPL Financial confirmed that Don A. Harrell, CFP, founder and CEO of WestKai Private Wealth in San Clemente, California, has joined its supported independence model, LPL Strategic Wealth.

Harrell's team reported serving approximately $400 million in advisory, brokerage and retirement plan assets, and joins LPL from Morgan Stanley.

The WestKai team also includes private wealth advisor Blake Davidson and client services manager Cate Harrell. The firm serves individuals and families, pre-retirees and retirees, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, business owners and professional athletes, offering retirement planning, comprehensive financial services, estate and legacy planning, alternative investment access and lending solutions.

Harrell said the decision to launch WestKai Private Wealth  and subsequently align with LPL Strategic Wealth was driven by a desire for greater independence and a more personalized client experience.

"We believe the best financial relationships are built over time through trust, communication and genuine care," he said. "LPL's technology, investment platform and commitment to advisor independence give us the flexibility to deliver more personalized advice and a broader range of solutions."

The firm's name carries deliberate meaning: "West" reflects the team's Pacific Coast roots, while "Kai," the Hawaiian word for sea, represents depth, connection and stewardship — values the firm says are central to its long-term approach to client relationships.

LPL chief growth officer Marc Cohen welcomed the team, noting that WestKai's founding philosophy reflects the kind of entrepreneurial independence the platform is designed to support. Through LPL Strategic Wealth, advisors gain access to integrated services including simplified pricing, dedicated technology, and an ongoing operations team comprising a business strategist, marketing partner, CFO and administrative assistant.