An experienced and committed team

Our Mission

Legacy Partners mission is to assist our clients in navigating today's ever-changing economic and capital markets landscape. We work collaboratively with each client to implement solutions consistent with their unique financial policies, goals and objectives. This ensures our client's ability to meet their needs of today, while instilling confidence towards their future aspirations. The foundation of Legacy's philosophy is to protect and guard our clients against exposure to unnecessary risk.

Our Approach

Legacy Partners recognizes that every client is unique. When partnering with you, our team is committed to investing the necessary time to fully understand your needs, preferences and desires. Whether you are looking to accumulate, preserve or distribute your assets, Legacy Partners will develop a tailored plan for you utilizing our state-of-the-art resources. We apply a planning-based methodology to develop, execute and monitor your plan. This framework provides us the ability to address and manage all aspects of our client’s financial life in a coordinated, integrated manner. Legacy Partners take a rigorous, relentless and disciplined approach towards managing your wealth.

Our Service

Legacy Partners priority is to deliver an exceptional client experience, by providing you with responsive, personalized and thoughtful service. You’ll recognize the same familiar voices on the phone and we’ll recognize yours. Personal connections matter and that’s why we celebrate our clients’ greatest accomplishments, but we also offer support and counsel during life’s more challenging times.

Though we are an experienced and seasoned team of professionals with access to one of the world’s largest suite of industry-leading solutions and intellectual capital, what matters most to us is that we maintain our client's trust. Be assured that your financial well-being is our passion—it’s at the core of what we do.

Paul E. Lee, CPWA, CEPA, CRPS, CRPC

Senior Vice President–Wealth Management

As the managing member of Legacy Partners, Paul serves as a relationship manager for the team providing advice and guidance to clients.  He draws upon his deep experience as a Certified Public Accountant to assist clients in business succession planning, estate minimization, philanthropic planning, and tax management.

Paul proudly served as the Investment Committee Chair - Board of Trustees for the $1.7B Presbyterian Church USA Foundation for eight years, and has chaired investment, governance and development committees for multiple non-profits.

Paul received a B.S. in Accounting from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University and a Certificate in Advanced Portfolio Management from DePaul University.   He is a Certified Private Wealth Advisor CPWA® from the Yale School of Management, a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®), a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®), and a Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS®).

Paul and his wife, Kimberly, reside in Barrington with their three children, Connor, Jack & Jenna.

Registered States:
  • AL
  • AZ
  • CA
  • CO
  • CT
  • DC
  • FL
  • GA
  • IA
  • ID
  • IL
  • IN
  • KY
  • MA
  • MD
  • ME
  • MI
  • MN
  • MO
  • MT
  • NC
  • NJ
  • NM
  • NV
  • NY
  • OH
  • OR
  • PA
  • SC
  • TN
  • TX
  • VA
  • VI
  • VT
  • WA
  • WI

Recognized as an industry leader:

  • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in April based on information from a 12 month period ending June of the prior year.
  • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams, 2023, 2024The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in January, based on information from a 12 month period ending March of the prior year.

Eligibility is based on quantitative factors and is not necessarily related to the quality of the investment advice. For more information on third party rating methodologies, please visit ubs.com/us/en/designation-disclosures

Education

  • The Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, B.S. in Accounting
  • DePaul University, Certificate in Advanced Portfolio Management
  • Yale School of Management

Credentials

  • Certified Private Wealth Advisor
  • Endowment & Foundation Consultant
  • Retirement Plan Consultant
  • Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor
  • Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist℠

Our advice is comprehensive. We help diverse clients in a broad range of areas, including:

Financial planning
Long-term care planning
Estate planning strategies
Philanthropy
Exit planning
Alternative investments
Retirement Plan consulting
Family Offices
303 E Main Street
3rd Floor
Barrington, IL 60010

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Ryan T. Lindgren, CIMA, CFP

Senior Vice President–Wealth Management

Serving as a relationship manager for the team, Ryan provides advice and guidance to affluent families and professionals.  He employs the team's strategic approach in helping clients address their complex financial needs and lay the foundation for pursuing their goals.

Ryan currently serves as the Treasurer of the University of Illinois – Chicago Letterman's Club and is the Founder and President of the Patrick Grange Memorial Foundation for ALS.

Ryan is a Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®) from University of Chicago Booth School of Business, a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) and earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP®) designation.  Ryan received a B.S. in Finance and Marketing from the University of Illinois – Chicago.  

Ryan and his wife, Jen, reside in Chicago with their children Isla and Greyson.

Registered States:
  • AL
  • AZ
  • CA
  • CO
  • CT
  • DC
  • FL
  • GA
  • HI
  • IA
  • ID
  • IL
  • IN
  • KY
  • MA
  • MD
  • ME
  • MI
  • MN
  • MO
  • MT
  • NC
  • NJ
  • NM
  • NV
  • NY
  • OH
  • OR
  • PA
  • SC
  • TN
  • TX
  • UT
  • VA
  • VI
  • VT
  • WA
  • WI

Recognized as an industry leader:

  • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams, 2023, 2024The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in January, based on information from a 12 month period ending March of the prior year.

Eligibility is based on quantitative factors and is not necessarily related to the quality of the investment advice. For more information on third party rating methodologies, please visit ubs.com/us/en/designation-disclosures

Education

  • University of Illinois – Chicago, B.S. Finance and Marketing

Credentials

  • Certified Investment Management Analyst®
  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™
  • Certified Exit Planning Advisor

Our advice is comprehensive. We help diverse clients in a broad range of areas, including:

Financial planning
Retirement planning
Estate planning strategies
Business succession
Investing
Custom portfolios
303 East Main Street
Barrington, IL 60010

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Jacob R. Niggemann

Senior Vice President–Wealth Management

Serving as a relationship manager for the team, Jake executes and implements the strategic recom­mendations for our clients, such as gaps of insurance coverage and credit and liquidity management solutions through UBS Bank USA. He is also responsible for coordinating with our client’s other advisors to ensure that our collaborative work for our mutual client is achieved.

Jake currently serves as the Treasurer of the Board of Directors for Messiah Lutheran Preschool & Kindergarten and is the Founder and Administrator of The Gayle M. Niggemann Memorial Fund.

Jake received a B.S. in finance from Northern Illinois University and a Certificate in Advanced Portfolio Management from DePaul University.

Jake and his wife, Krystal, reside in Wauconda with their two children, Conrad and Collette.

Registered States:
  • AL
  • AZ
  • CA
  • CO
  • CT
  • DC
  • FL
  • GA
  • HI
  • IA
  • ID
  • IL
  • IN
  • KY
  • MA
  • MD
  • ME
  • MI
  • MN
  • MO
  • MT
  • NC
  • NJ
  • NM
  • NV
  • NY
  • OH
  • OR
  • PA
  • SC
  • TN
  • TX
  • UT
  • VA
  • VI
  • VT
  • WA
  • WI

Education

  • Northern Illinois University, B.S. Finance
  • DePaul University, Certificate in Advanced Portfolio Management

Our advice is comprehensive. We help diverse clients in a broad range of areas, including:

Financial planning
Retirement planning
Estate planning strategies
Business succession
Investing
Custom portfolios
Asset allocation
Securities-backed lending
303 East Main Street
Barrington, IL 60010

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Jeanne Varwig

Wealth Strategy Associate

Jeanne brings over 25 years of financial services experience.  She will be responsible for supporting the team in all phases of client relationship management.  Jeanne will strive to exceed your expectations by providing attentive, high-touch personalized service.   

Jeanne has a BS from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management

Jeanne and her son Sean reside in Barrington. 

Registered States:
  • AL
  • AR
  • AZ
  • CA
  • CO
  • CT
  • DC
  • FL
  • GA
  • IA
  • ID
  • IL
  • IN
  • KY
  • MA
  • MD
  • ME
  • MN
  • MO
  • NC
  • NJ
  • NM
  • NV
  • NY
  • OH
  • OR
  • PA
  • SC
  • TN
  • TX
  • UT
  • VA
  • VI
  • VT
  • WA
  • WI

Education

  • University of Michigan, B.A. English
  • Kellogg Scholl of Management, Northwestern University, MBA, Finance & Accounting
303 East Main Street
Barrington, IL 60010

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Our resources

  • Ann Bjerke

    Executive Director

    Head of Advanced Planning

    Ann focuses on developing and implementing creative and comprehensive strategies to assist clients with their complex financial needs such as preservation, transfer and management of wealth. Prior to joining UBS in 2008, Ann practiced law with the law firm of Levin, Schreder & Carey, focusing on estate tax and income tax planning for ultra high net worth individuals, families and business owners.

  • Titus Song

    Executive Director

    Alternative Investments Consultant

    Titus Song is an Executive Director of Alternative Investments covering various markets in the Central and West Divisions for UBS Financial Services. His role is to oversee distribution of alternative investments (hedge funds, private equity and private real estate) by helping financial advisors and clients understand how these offerings function and their effect on investment portfolios.

    Professional History
    Titus joined UBS in 2007 working with the Structured Solutions group. In late 2008, Titus moved to the Alternative Investments group where he has covered a wide swath of the country helping clients and financial advisors understand alternative investments and how they can enhance portfolio efficiency and help clients reach their financial goals.

    In his 32-year career in financial services, Titus has worked at various large financial services firms and banks where he held roles in small and large cap equity trading, as well as in product management. Titus also served as the head of investments and product management at a large regional registered investment advisor prior to joining UBS.


    Education
    Titus earned a B.A. in Political Science with a concentration in Political Economy at Carleton College in Northfield MN. He also received an M.B.A. from the Carlson School of Business at the University of Minnesota.

    Licenses and Certifications
    Titus holds Series 7, 31 and 66 licenses.
  • Sarah J. Salomon , CAP®

    Executive Director

    Head – Family Advisory and Philanthropy

    Sarah leads a team of Senior Strategists who work with families on understanding money, values and philanthropic intent. Family Advisory and Philanthropy Services serves as thought partners to advisors and their exceptional client families on wealth transitions, family governance, family office strategies, and philanthropy as families seek guidance on cohesive dialogue between generations to perpetuate their legacy.
  • Matthew Morris, CFA

    Executive Director

    Head, Portfolio Advisory Group Midwest, New York and Northeast Division

    Matthew Morris is the Midwest Division Head of the Portfolio Advisory Group (PAG), leading a regional team of experienced investment professionals dedicated to providing asset allocation, portfolio construction, and investment management guidance and education to UBS' Ultra High Net Worth clients. Matthew and his team specialize in developing multi-asset, customized investment strategies and portfolios for sophisticated individuals, families, and institutions.
  • Leora Zach

    Leora Zach

    Executive Director

    Client Solutions Specialist, Family Office Solutions

    Professional History
    Leora is an Executive Director and Client Solutions Specialist in the Family Office Solutions team within Private Wealth Management. The Family Office Solutions (FOS) team holistically services $100m+ clients and family offices in partnership with Private Wealth Advisors. In her role, Leora is dedicated to providing clients with superior client service by leading complex, multi-product transactions and helping design custom offerings based on client needs.

    Prior to FOS, Leora was an Executive Director in the Direct Investments Group. She raised private capital for direct private equity and real estate investments across a range of industries, stages, structures and geographies. She covered 1,500+ family office and institutional wealth management relationships nationally. Before that, Leora was a part of the OneBank team and assisted UBS clients on a range of investment banking transactions including mergers and acquisitions, equity capital raising and debt capital raising. She also ran UBS' Middle Market Investment Banking Network, a partnership with 30 firms across the country to assist business owner clients in need of pre-sale planning and investment banking services.

    Leora joined UBS in 2009 as an Investment Banker in the Power & Utilities Group, advising companies on strategic M&A and capital raising transactions, both domestically and cross-border.

    Education
    Leora is a CFA Charterholder and is on the Young Leaders committee at the CFA Society of NY. She is also a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA). Leora holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Connecticut Honors School. She holds her Series 7 and Series 63 licenses.

    Leora is married, with four sons, and resides in Holmdel, New Jersey.
  • Jennifer Miara

    Jennifer Miara

    Executive Director

    Ultra High Net Worth Lending Specialist, Lending Origination

    Jennifer Miara is an Executive Director, Tailored Lending Specialist with over 20 years of experience in wealth management with a specialty both in HNW, UHNW, and commercial banking and lending. Some of Jennifer’s accomplishments include working as business head of banking and lending for a top 10 RIA and their family office services, running the national banking and lending group for UHNW clients at US Bank directly with the group’s chief credit officer, and also helping manage several of the top 10 AmLaw 100 global law firms.