Founded in 1993, Gilbert & Cook has built its reputation on long-term client relationships and integrated financial strategies. By joining forces, the firm will operate under the Cerity Partners brand, granting its existing clientele access to a broader suite of services, including private family office support, divorce financial planning, and private markets investing.

Claire O’Keefe, Partner and Head of Partner Development at Cerity Partners, noted that the move aligns with the firm’s strategy of acquiring organizations with strong local trust and expertise. Linda Cook, founder of the Iowa firm, described the transition as a natural progression that preserves the personalized service model while leveraging the expanded resources of a national institution. Houlihan Lokey served as the advisor to Gilbert & Cook during the transaction, with legal counsel provided by Sissel Law for the Iowa firm and Lowenstein Sandler for Cerity Partners.