Clearstead Advisors announced it has acquired The Clarius Group, a Seattle-based multi-family office RIA serving ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, in a deal the firm positioned as a step in its long-term strategy to broaden its family office offering while strengthening its presence in the Pacific Northwest. Clarius oversees about $5.1 billion in assets under management, and the transaction closed on January 31, 2026.
As part of the combination, 36 Clarius professionals are joining Clearstead, including founding partners Keith Vernon and Matthew Talbot, with Vernon, Talbot, and four other Clarius partners becoming partners at Clearstead. Clearstead said Clarius adds specialized capabilities spanning investment advisory, integrated family office services, personal accounting, comprehensive administrative support, and multi-generational planning. Following the transaction, Clearstead said it advises roughly $55 billion in total client assets, including $30 billion under management, and employs more than 300 professionals across 13 offices nationwide.
Clearstead noted that it received an equity investment from Flexpoint Ford in 2022 to support organic growth and acquisitions, and it cited recent moves including the acquisition of Waveland Family Office in Chicago, acquisitions of Wilbanks, Smith & Thomas and Baldwin Advisory in Norfolk, Virginia, and the addition of an advisory team in Hudson, Ohio. Houlihan Lokey served as the exclusive financial advisor to Clarius.
KEY QUOTES:
“We are pleased to welcome Clarius to Clearstead and are excited by the strong alignment of our values, culture, and long-term commitment to client service. The addition of the Clarius team meaningfully expands our capabilities in the ultra-high-net-worth and family office space, while also creating new opportunities for professional growth across the firm.”
Brad Knapp, Chief Executive Officer, Clearstead Advisors
“From the earliest conversations, it was clear that Clarius and Clearstead share an operating philosophy based on a client-first mindset, a drive for excellence, and a highly collaborative culture. We have a common vision to continue building a firm that provides clients a boutique experience coupled with institutional capabilities. We are energized by our path forward together.”
Keith Vernon, Co-Founder And Partner, The Clarius Group
“For more than 25 years, Clarius has focused on delivering thoughtful, highly personalized service to the families we serve. By joining Clearstead, we are broadening the resources available to our clients—particularly in areas such as tax compliance, trust services, and alternative investments—while preserving the culture and approach that have always defined our firm. We are excited about the opportunities ahead.”
Matthew Talbot, Co-Founder And Partner, The Clarius Group
“We are delighted to welcome Clarius to Clearstead. The cultural alignment and complementary capabilities between these firms reinforce our confidence in the long-term value of this partnership.”
Daniel Edelman, Managing Director, Flexpoint Ford
