Two New Leaders Join the Aspiriant Family

Aspiriant welcomes Mike Lavalle and Mike King to the firm

At Aspiriant, we always strive to attract top talent from across the country to serve our clients’ best interests. We look for ways to incorporate fresh perspectives into our day-to-day while building and growing our team and business. Some of that growth comes from mergers with other firms, while other growth comes from hiring new employees. To that end, we are pleased to welcome two of our newest leaders and team members to the Aspiriant family: Mike Lavalle and Mike King.

Mike Lavalle

Mike joins Aspiriant as General Counsel, based in our Los Angeles office. As a vital leader in the firm, he will be responsible for providing strategic guidance and support on a comprehensive range of legal and associated issues involved in carrying out our mission.

Prior to joining Aspiriant, Mike was head of legal for Wilshire Advisors, LLC in Santa Monica, working with the leadership team on investment management, risk, regulatory and employment issues, merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions and governance matters.

“Mike’s extensive background in drafting and negotiating investment advisory, commercial, licensing, and vendor agreements are a great compliment to the services we offer at the firm,” said Doug Hendrickson, Chief Financial Officer and partner.

Mike studied philosophy at the University of Michigan and earned his law degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law.

Mike King

Mike King joins Aspiriant as a director in Wealth Management based in Atlanta. He will be responsible for leading and deepening our client relationships.

Mike began his career as a corporate attorney at Smith Gambrell & Russell, LLP in Atlanta, Georgia, becoming a member of the firm’s tax section, primarily practicing estate and gift tax law. Before joining Aspiriant, Mike worked for Truist Wealth, servicing many of the bank’s most prominent multi-generational and entrepreneurial client families. Mike brings to Aspiriant more than 30 years of helping families navigate the complexities and opportunities in their personal and business lives.

Mike’s diverse background and experience help him provide holistic and customized services to his clients, including estate and trust planning, personal and fiduciary tax planning, risk management strategies, philanthropic services and mentoring the next generation through family governance and education.

“We’re excited to have Mike join our team from Georgia; his addition expands our firm’s presence and ability to serve clients in the Southeast,” said Lisa Colletti, managing director of Exclusive Family Office and partner.

Mike earned a bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University and a law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law.

“Our mission is to empower families to take control of their financial lives, live their values with clarity and peace of mind, and actualize their dreams,” said Rob Francais, CEO and partner, “and Mike Lavalle and Mike King are fantastic additions to the team achieving that mission.” In their short time with the firm, both jumped in, embraced our culture and have already positively impacted both clients and team members alike.