WILLIAM BLAIR & COMPANY L.L.C.
Compensation Model
Compensation type disclosed on SEC Form ADV Item 5C. Filed 46112. Specific fee percentages are available in this firm's Form ADV Part 2A brochure at adviserinfo.sec.gov.
Conflict of Interest Analysis
Broker-Dealer Affiliated: Yes
This firm is affiliated with a broker-dealer, which means they may earn commissions on product sales — creating a potential conflict between their revenue and your best interest.
Insurance Licensed: No
Not insurance licensed. Cannot sell you annuity or insurance products directly.
Custody of Client Assets: No
Assets held at an independent custodian (e.g., Schwab, Fidelity, TD Ameritrade). This is the standard, lower-risk arrangement.
Proprietary Products: No
Uses only third-party investment products. No proprietary product conflicts.
Regulatory & Disciplinary History
1 regulatory action(s), 13 customer complaint(s)/arbitration(s) disclosed on Form ADV Item 11.
ResolvedTotal complaints on record: 13
Complaint ratio: 5.63 per 100 clients
Industry average is approximately 0.15 complaints per 100 clients. A ratio above 0.30 is considered elevated.
Firm Details
| Legal Name | WILLIAM BLAIR & COMPANY L.L.C. |
| CRD Number | #1252 |
| SEC Registered | Yes |
| Registration Date | |
| States Registered | IL |
| Assets Under Management | $64.3B |
| Number of Clients | 231 |
| Employees | 492 |
| Compensation Type | commission |
| Last ADV Filing | 46112 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is WILLIAM BLAIR & COMPANY L.L.C. a fiduciary?
No. WILLIAM BLAIR & COMPANY L.L.C. is not registered as an RIA and is not legally bound by the fiduciary standard.
How does WILLIAM BLAIR & COMPANY L.L.C. charge clients?
WILLIAM BLAIR & COMPANY L.L.C. uses a commission compensation model. They also earn commissions on product sales, which may create conflicts of interest. Full fee details are in their Form ADV Part 2A brochure at adviserinfo.sec.gov.
Does WILLIAM BLAIR & COMPANY L.L.C. have any complaints?
Yes. WILLIAM BLAIR & COMPANY L.L.C. has 13 complaint(s) on record. Their complaint ratio is 5.63 per 100 clients (industry average: ~0.15).
How does WILLIAM BLAIR & COMPANY L.L.C. compare to other advisors in CHICAGO?
WILLIAM BLAIR & COMPANY L.L.C. has a Red Flag Score of 55/100. There are 367 registered advisory firms in CHICAGO. Use our city page to compare firms side by side.
Where does this data come from?
All information is sourced from SEC Form ADV public filings (mandatory regulatory disclosures) and FINRA BrokerCheck records. Last updated: 2026-06-24. We do not accept payment from financial advisors.
Data source: SEC Form ADV (Parts 1 and 2A) filed with the Investment Adviser Registration Depository (IARD). Filing date: 46112. Last data refresh: 2026-06-24. AdvisorRanked does not verify the accuracy of SEC filings. This is not financial advice.