Signature Estate & Investment Advisors, LLC

Signature Estate & Investment Advisors, LLC^® (SEIA) is an independent Registered Investment Advisory firm offering wealth management and financial planning services to affluent individuals, families and business owners. With a combined 50+ years of wealth management experience, managing senior partner Vince DiLeva, MS, CFP, AIF, senior partner Eric Pritz, CFP, and partner Len Hirsh, CFP, CPWA, MBA, AIF, are proud residents and supporters of the South Bay community. As personal financial concierges, the SEIA team provides guidance on a variety of financial, retirement, tax and insurance issues.

How do you help clients build a legacy?

When you’ve achieved significant wealth, your financial priorities evolve. It’s no longer just about accumulation—it’s about preservation, control and impact. Whether you’re navigating a liquidity event, expanding philanthropic efforts or ensuring your legacy endures for generations, our seasoned team delivers solutions that align with your vision and values. 

Why should potential clients choose SEIA?

We specialize in the nuanced needs of clients—everything from pre-IPO planning to concentrated stock solutions to legacy philanthropy. We tailor the strategy to you, built around your life, your family and your future. Our in-house multidisciplinary team of professionals and external partners coordinate to deliver elite, integrated advice. And we operate with the highest levels of confidentiality, security and trust.

How do you assist clients in planning for their legacy and estate?

Your wealth carries influence—both now and long after you’re gone. We help you design and implement estate plans that are not only tax-efficient but that uphold your legacy, protect your heirs and reflect your values. We act as both architects and stewards—guiding your estate plan through the complexities of changing laws, family dynamics and evolving financial priorities.

Describe some of SEIA’s unique strategies. 

Clients need advisors with the tools to address not only their unique life circumstances but also a range of market conditions. It’s important to incorporate assets that do not correlate to traditional equity and fixed-income assets. Consider investing in professional sports ownership, private debt and private equity. We can offer downside protection via a cap-and-cushion hedging approach using things like defined-outcome ETFs (exchange-traded funds), structured notes or option overlays. It all depends on a client’s goals and needs.

What is the biggest challenge for clients? 

Taxes. For our clients, tax planning is not just about deductions—it’s about structure, timing and effectiveness. We go beyond the surface to architect sophisticated, forward-thinking strategies that address advanced income, capital gains and estate tax minimization; tax-efficient trust and entity structuring; executive compensation, stock options and liquidity events; and charitable giving. Our team leads and coordinates seamlessly with your legal, tax and family office professionals to ensure alignment across every decision.

Describe a customized solution you provided.

Recently, we worked with a Manhattan Beach client approaching retirement who had a classic challenge: a portfolio full of highly appreciated stock, no clear retirement vision and a complicated estate. We built a comprehensive strategy, helped them exit a burdensome property, created a living trust and tied in some intergenerational trust planning. It was a great reminder that true financial planning goes way beyond just investments—it’s about aligning every piece of life with peace of mind.

Disclaimer: All investments in securities carry risks, including the potential loss of principal. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there is no guarantee that any specific investment will be profitable or suitable for a particular investor’s financial situation or risk tolerance. Asset allocation and diversification do not guarantee better performance or eliminate the risk of investment losses. Alternative investments may not suit all investors. They often engage in speculative investment practices that increase investment risk, are highly illiquid, lack periodic prices or valuation, and may not be subject to traditional investment regulatory requirements. They often have complex tax structures, significant lock-up periods with no liquidity or significant penalties for early liquidity, and significant management fees in addition to advisor fees. SEIA is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or tax services. We recommend that all investors seek out the services of competent professionals in any of the aforementioned areas. For more details on any professional designations listed, including description, minimum requirements, and ongoing education requirements, please contact (310) 712-2323 or visit seia.com/disclosures. SEIA is an SEC-registered investment adviser; however, such registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training and no inference to the contrary should be made. Securities offered through Signature Estate Securities, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through SEIA, 2121 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1600, Los Angeles, CA 90067, (310) 712-2323.

Photographed by Shane O’Donnell