Cerity Partners to Welcome the Contant-Leit and Wacht Groups of Shufro Rose & Co., Deepening Its Presence in New York City

NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cerity Partners, a leading independent wealth management and investment advisory firm, today announced their intention to merge with the Contant-Leit and Wacht Groups of Shufro Rose & Co., two New York City–based wealth advisory practices managing approximately $1.4 billion in assets. The combination brings together colleagues with shared values and a fiduciary-driven commitment to comprehensive, client-first advice, uniting the Contant-Leit and Wacht Groups under the Cerity Partners brand.

"We are thrilled to welcome our new colleagues from the Contant-Leit and Wacht Groups whose commitment to personalized, comprehensive advice reflects everything we value at Cerity Partners," said Claire O'Keefe, Head of Partner Development at Cerity Partners. "Their deep, multigenerational client relationships, commitment to their colleagues, and their presence in New York will strengthen our ability to serve individuals, families, and businesses."

The practices are joining from a firm that traces its wealth management heritage back to 1938. In addition, the practices' principals bring decades of continuity and deep client relationships from their previous firm: Stephen Leit joined Shufro Rose in 1984, John Contant in 1996, and Harvey Wacht in 2001. Today, their average client relationship spans 21 years, a testament to the trust and long-term value they deliver.

"We couldn't be more excited to join Cerity Partners, a firm that shares the values that have guided our practice for decades—independence, diligence, and always putting clients first," said John Contant, Principal and Senior Financial Advisor at Shufro Rose & Co. "As a part of Cerity Partners, our clients will receive the same personalized guidance from the same trusted team, now backed by a broader set of resources, expertise, and capabilities to help them achieve even more."

Advisors

Houlihan Lokey is representing the Contant-Leit and Wacht Groups in this combination, and Katz Teller is providing legal counsel. Lowenstein Sandler is providing legal counsel to Cerity Partners in this combination.

About Cerity Partners

Founded in 2009, Cerity Partners is a nationally recognized wealth management firm serving high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, business owners, and institutions with an extensive suite of financial planning, investment, tax, and retirement solutions. Learn more at ceritypartners.com.

About Contant-Leit and Wacht Groups

The Contant-Leit and Wacht Groups are New York City–based wealth advisory practices managing approximately $1.4 billion in assets for individuals and families. With a wealth management heritage from parent firm Shufro Rose & Co. dating to 1938, they provide comprehensive financial planning—including retirement, estate and legacy, insurance, tax, and educational and generational planning—alongside a research-based approach to investment management.

Media Contact
[email protected]

SOURCE Cerity Partners