Signature Estate & Investment Advisors, LLC

Above L to R: Jeff Zuanich, Kyle Demshki, Vince DiLeva, Aidan Flynn, Jilda Balyan, Erik Gutierrez, Tammy Patterson, Len Hirsh, Chelsea Traub, Robert Green, Eric Pritz

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My Local List
  • Best Mediterranean Food: Turquoise Restaurant
  • Favorite Roaster: Offset Coffee
  • Best Burn: Redondo Beach Fitness
  • Ultimate Steakhouse: The Arthur J

Founded in 1997, Signature Estate & Investment Advisors, LLC (SEIA) specializes in serving ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families with complex financial lives. The boutique advisory firm offers white-glove service and bespoke financial strategies, with a focus on tax efficiency and multigenerational estate planning.

What’s a quiet “win” in your work that wouldn’t show up on a balance sheet?

Tax planning using long-short strategies. One thing we are increasingly utilizing is a long-short strategy that we often refer to as “tax-loss harvesting 2.0.” The strategy either starts from scratch with cash or an existing SMA (Separately Managed Account), or it collateralizes existing portfolio holdings (including highly appreciated stocks, bonds, ETFs and/or mutual funds).

Using margin, it runs both a long and short equity sleeve (approximately 300 U.S. large-cap stocks in each sleeve). No options are used. Rather, the sleeves seek to generate short-term capital losses through ongoing trading activity, including selling long positions at a loss and buying back shorts at a gain (two sources of tax-loss realization).

Notably, by playing both sides of the market, the approach is designed to generate tax-loss harvesting opportunities across a range of market environments—unlike a traditional tax-loss harvesting account, which may run out of tax benefit after prolonged periods of market upswing, like what we’ve seen over the last few years.

The strategy is generally managed to be market neutral, meaning the combined long and short extensions are intended to have minimal directional market exposure over time. This approach can be useful for clients seeking tax flexibility to offset gains from events such as the sale of a home, building or business, or to reposition a portfolio—especially one with highly appreciated positions that can start to feel somewhat “stuck” or “stale.”

What would you like potential clients to know about SEIA?

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 considering how your legacy endures for generations, our team delivers strategies that align with your vision and values.

Tell us about some of the services you offer.

We believe there is more to managing one’s wealth than just managing one’s money. Accordingly, we’ve seen that many clients can benefit from ensuring their tax and estate planning efforts are aligned with their goals and objectives. With the recent changes to tax law and estate planning considerations, it may be an appropriate time to review whether your current plan still meets your needs. SEIA’s internal Department of Estate, Tax and Financial Planning can help.

In particular, clients often find value in our Signature Compass comprehensive retirement planning process. The process models different scenarios and stress-tests a portfolio with various assumptions and decision points. It is designed to help clients and their families better understand whether they are on track toward their future financial objectives.

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 Fabien & Laura Castro