Houlihan Lokey Advises EP Wealth Advisors

Houlihan Lokey is pleased to announce that EP Wealth Advisors (EP Wealth), a portfolio company of Berkshire Partners, has agreed to receive a significant minority investment from Ares Management (Ares). The investment is expected to be completed in October 2025.

Headquartered in Torrance, California, EP Wealth is a fee-only registered investment advisor and financial planning firm with more than 54 offices across 19 states. Managing nearly $40 billion in assets as of August 31, 2025, EP Wealth has helped families across the country achieve their financial goals for more than 25 years. The firm, which is employee-owned, led, and operated, offers a wide range of services, including financial, tax, and estate planning as well as investment management.

Ares is a leading global alternative investment manager offering clients complementary primary and secondary investment solutions across the credit, real estate, private equity, and infrastructure asset classes. The company seeks to advance its stakeholders’ long-term goals by providing flexible capital that supports businesses and creates value for its investors and within its communities. As of June 30, 2025, Ares’ global platform had more than $572 billion of assets under management, with operations across North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East.

The investment from Ares will provide additional growth capital and strategic support for EP Wealth to advance several key corporate goals, including a deeper investment in talent acquisition, technology, client-facing offerings and services, and a greater ability to pursue M&A partnerships.

EP Wealth’s co-founders, Derek Holman and Brian Parker, will maintain meaningful ownership in the organization and continue in their current roles as active advisors and leaders. The company’s management team will continue to operate independently and lead strategic and day-to-day decisions. EP Wealth has completed eight M&A partnerships in 2025 and is on track to complete additional M&A partnerships before the end of the year.

Houlihan Lokey served as financial advisor to EP Wealth.

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