Firm Description
Cyrus J. Lawrence LLC, which operates under trade name C.J. Lawrence®(“CJL”), is a New York based
investment management boutique providing platinum level service and investment portfolio customization
to individuals, families, foundations, and institutions. The Firm combines the talents of a highly experienced
portfolio management team with an environment centered only on delivering optimal results for its clients.
From analysis to implementation, CJL’s managers serve as its clients’ trusted financial advisor and
investment manager. With a legacy dating to 1864, C.J. Lawrence was re-launched in November 2014 as an
independent SEC registered investment advisor. The Firm’s principals are Bernhard Koepp, its CEO and
Managing Member and Partner, E. Terrence Gardner Jr. Its investment advisors include James E. Moltz
and Bruce W. Benedict.
Types of Advisory Services
The Firm manages core-equity, balanced, and equity-income portfolios for high net worth and institutional
clients. It shapes accounts to meet individual clients’ investment goals. A number of the Firm’s clients are
second and third generation families and it has the flexibility to serve a spectrum of different objectives.
Stock selection is focused on fundamental research and a longer-term the time horizon, normally three to
five years, keeping turnover relatively low. Equity positions usually number between 30 and 40 names and seek
diversification among sectors and individual security selection.
There is a conscious research effort to identify major economic trends to ensure participation in key
developments affecting new consumption and economic growth patterns. Our regular reports and videos share
our Firm’s thoughts on the economy and markets based on our proprietary work. The Firm’s long-term
record for identifying these trends has resulted in CJL acting as a portfolio consultant for thematic unit
trusts focused on three major asset classes; Bulldog-equities, defined as market share dominant companies
in fast growing sectors; American Renaissance equities, which focus on companies benefitting from a
resurgence in US manufacturing & low cost energy; and the Bulldog International equities, which
identifies dominant companies operating or domiciled outside the United States.
Fixed Income allocations for balanced accounts are generally made in investment grade fixed income
securities commingled with exchange traded funds. A related approach adopted for prolonged low yield
conditions is to identify equities with above average yields that have a history of consistent dividend
increases and the ability to sustain higher outlays. The cash allocation in balanced accounts is included in
the fixed income portion of a balanced client mandate.
Clients can restrict specific industries from their portfolios or request monitoring of low-cost significant
positions.
Wrap Fee Programs
The Firm currently does not act as a sponsor of a wrap fee program. CJL is, however, an approved manager
in the Envestnet and Orion (formerly Brinker) wrap programs. By participating in certain “wrap programs”
(i.e., programs in which a client pays a program sponsor or broker a single “wrap fee” for advisory services,
certain brokerage services, monitoring of the investment adviser’s performance and custodial services, or
some combination of these or other services) clients complete documentation and investment guidelines of
the respective sponsor. For each wrap program, clients are given the opportunity to select an investment
adviser from among a list of advisers.
When a wrap
program client selects the Firm as investment adviser, the Firm provides discretionary
investment advisory services for the client’s account under the terms of a wrap program agreement. As
with the Firm’s other clients, the Firm provides continuous investment advice based on the individual needs
of the wrap program client. Apart from the advisory services provided by the Firm, all services provided
for the client’s account under the terms of the wrap program agreement (such as brokerage, custodial or
monitoring services) are provided by the program sponsor, the broker, or a party other than the Firm. In
addition, account performance reports are generally provided to the wrap program client by the program
sponsor.
Wrap Program Agreements
The wrap program agreement and any ancillary documents are executed by the program sponsor or broker,
the wrap program client and/or the Firm depending on the wrap sponsor. Generally, any party may
terminate the relationship as provided in the documents. Advance notice of termination may be required
as specified in the documents.
Fees
The program sponsor, or broker, charges the wrap program client a total “wrap fee” in accordance with the
terms of the wrap program agreement. The Firm generally receives its advisory fee from this wrap fee paid
to the program sponsor or broker. The fee to the Firm can vary from program to program and is negotiated
directly between the sponsor and the Firm.
In connection with wrap programs, the Firm generally does not negotiate its advisory fees with any wrap
program client. Rather, the Firm’s advisory fees are as described on a fee schedule that the Firm agrees to
with the program sponsor or broker. The advisory fee received by the Firm in connection with wrap
programs may vary from fees charged to the Firm’s other clients.
Special Considerations
When determining whether to participate in a wrap program, a client should consider whether participation
in the wrap program will cost the client more or less than purchasing the wrap program services separately
(depending on such factors as the amount of the wrap fee, the type and size of the account, the type of assets
to be purchased for the account, the historical and or expected size and number of trades for the account,
the value the client attributes to monitoring, custodial and other services that may be provided pursuant to
the wrap program, and the value the client places on having access to the particular investment advisors
participating in the wrap program).
In evaluating a wrap program, a client should understand that trades for the wrap program client’s account
would generally be executed with the program broker. A client should also understand that the Firm
generally would not negotiate brokerage commissions with the program broker with respect to transactions
effected for the wrap fee client’s accounts since those brokerage commissions are generally included in the
wrap fee. The program broker may charge higher commissions or may provide less advantageous execution
of transactions with respect to transactions effected for the wrap program client’s accounts, or may provide
less advantageous execution of transactions, than if the Firm selected the broker to execute the transactions
or negotiated the commissions.
Client Assets
Regulatory assets under management were $484 million as of 12-31-2023. The Firm’s assets under
supervision are approximately $317 million as of 12-31-2023. These include assets where CJL acts as
portfolio consultant for commingled Unit Investment Trusts sponsored by Advisors Asset Management
(“AAM”).