Our Partners

Chris advises high net worth individuals and families on specialized Estate & Trust solutions as part of an integrated wealth planning team.

Chris draws on his prior experience as an estates lawyer in private practice to assist BMO clients with complex estate and trust planning solutions in a variety of contexts. He provides support and direction on matters related to estate, gift and tax planning, succession planning for business owners, charitable giving and planning for family members with special needs.

Prior to joining BMO Wealth Management, Chris operated his own law firm, worked as in-house counsel with an insurance company, and worked in the estates and real estate groups in one of the largest and oldest law firms in Brampton, Ontario. Chris has been actively involved in the community as a member of numerous boards and committees, and has chaired and presented at several programs for the Ontario Bar Association.

Leigh is a Director of Tax Planning at BMO Private Wealth. With over twenty years of experience, Leigh understands the broad issues that wealthy families face. By taking the time to understand client’s specific goals and objectives, she brings her extensive subject matter expertise to help guide families through the unique opportunities and challenges that they may be facing in the areas of tax and estate planning, corporate structuring, business succession planning, and family governance.
Leigh can skillfully take complex tax and estate issues, and speak to clients about these in a way that they can easily understand.  In addition to her accounting background, she has extensive experience in the investment industry, including working at a multi-family office where she led a diverse team. For four years, Leigh co-authored the book “Tax Tips for Canadians for Dummies”.
When not at work, Leigh and husband, Dave manage a busy house with two teenagers. She enjoys running and hiking the many trails Ancaster offers.

John provides estate and insurance advice to high net worth clients though sophisticated, forward-thinking wealth management planning. John offers clients informed insight across the broad spectrum of wealth and estate planning issues, leveraging advanced market experience – more than 20 years of specialized estate, tax and insurance expertise – and a unique understanding of the financial and emotional complexities of family wealth.

He works collaboratively with his colleagues to simplify the complexities associated with wealth and offering affluent families and entrepreneurs a uniquely personalized experience. Together, they aim to help clients realize their goals, at all stages of life, through meaningful conversations and professional recommendations.

Adam Kerlinger has ten years of experience in financial services, where he has worked closely with clients in planning for and achieving their financial goals for themselves and their families. As a Wealth Planning Consultant with BMO Private Wealth, Adam follows a structured process to deliver holistic and bespoke financial planning advice that gives clients certainty around their retirement, business succession, and helping their loved ones.

Adam is accredited as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) with FP Canada, a Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) with STEP Canada, and a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) with Advocis. His designations reflect his financial expertise and enable him to provide straightforward, objective recommendations that help clients be better off. In his spare time, Adam and his partner like to enjoy cycling, traveling, and participating in local community initiatives.