Meet Your Team » David S. James

 

"It’s only through a well-practiced, conscious approach to listening that an advisor can really deliver high quality solutions for a client."

David S. James

Advisor / Managing Director

Direct Text/Call:

323-686-7130

Mobile Phone:

310-487-7821

Email:

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David joined Coastal Bridge Advisors as Managing Director / Advisor in September of 2016, bringing over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. In this role, he advises wealthy families, large private corporations, their principals and their advisors.

He credits his success and longevity to paying close attention to his clients’ needs. “I have learned the importance of listening. When I was young, I thought that people wanted to hear all about what we can do for them, but it didn’t take long to realize that each client is facing their own unique challenges and it’s only through a well-practiced, conscious approach to listening that an advisor can really deliver high quality solutions.”

David’s career began in 1985 as a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch after which he worked with Oppenheimer & Co, Inc. and as Managing Director of Wealth Management at UBS Financial Services where he ranked among the firm’s top Advisors and founded The Paragon Group, a team that worked with ultra-high net worth clients to curate custom financial and retirement portfolios.

During that time, he dealt with so many complicated financial situations that he is particularly fond of Coastal Bridge Advisors’ motto ‘Uncomplicate It’. “It resonates with me,” he says, “Because a good advisor helps his or her clients get organized. Organization creates peace of mind. To take a fairly complicated subject with lots of moving parts – like building a diversified investment portfolio or creating a financial plan – and organizing it to simplify the focus on the core elements is helpful to confer comfort that leads to peace of mind.”

David received his bachelor’s degree in Business Economics and History from the University of California at Santa Barbara. He is a Manhattan Beach native and, when he’s not working, he enjoys surfing and spending time with his two teenage daughters.

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