Key Takeaways
- • Thomas Walsh has launched Trellis Family Office, an independently owned wealth advisory practice, through Mariner Independent to serve ultra-high-net-worth individuals and multigenerational families.
- • Walsh joined Mariner Independent on November 2, 2026, after much of his career at larger financial institutions.
- • Trellis is based in Troutman, North Carolina, and gains access to Mariner Trust, tax, estate planning, insurance, investment banking, and business valuation resources while Walsh retains ownership and client control.
- • Mariner was founded in 2006 with approximately $300 million in assets under advisement; as of September 30, 2026, Mariner affiliates collectively advised on more than $660 billion in assets.
Summary
Thomas Walsh has launched Trellis Family Office, an independently owned wealth advisory practice, through Mariner Independent, according to the firm's announcement. Trellis is designed to serve ultra-high-net-worth individuals and multigenerational families, offering personalized wealth management alongside access to Mariner's trust, tax, estate planning, investment banking, and other specialized financial services. Walsh joined Mariner Independent on November 2, 2026, after spending much of his career at larger financial institutions. The Troutman, North Carolina-based firm is positioned as a central advisory relationship for families whose needs extend beyond investment portfolio management, including complex estate planning, multigenerational wealth transfers, trust arrangements, and philanthropy.
The firm's model emphasizes individualized planning and long-term client relationships. Walsh has said that a large firm's service model is built to work for everyone, whereas the families he serves need an approach shaped around each family's circumstances, often across several generations. Trellis also serves entrepreneurs and women navigating major wealth transitions, such as business ownership changes, inheritance, and other significant financial events.
Mariner Independent provides the infrastructure supporting Trellis while allowing Walsh to retain ownership of his business and control over the client experience. The platform, which Mariner describes as a supported-independence model, offers tax planning, estate and trust planning, insurance, investment banking, business valuation, financial planning, technology, transition support, and practice management. According to the announcement, this arrangement differs from a traditional acquisition or employment-based affiliation in which advisors join a directly owned business. Rob Sandrew, National Managing Director and Head of Mariner Independent, said Walsh's move shows the platform can be a destination for advisors serving uniquely complex clients.
Mariner was founded in 2006 with approximately $300 million in assets under advisement. As of September 30, 2026, Mariner affiliates collectively advised on more than $660 billion in assets. The Trellis launch adds another independently owned advisory business to the Mariner Independent platform, reflecting growing interest among advisors in operating independent firms while accessing institutional-scale service capabilities.
The firm's model emphasizes individualized planning and long-term client relationships. Walsh has said that a large firm's service model is built to work for everyone, whereas the families he serves need an approach shaped around each family's circumstances, often across several generations. Trellis also serves entrepreneurs and women navigating major wealth transitions, such as business ownership changes, inheritance, and other significant financial events.
Mariner Independent provides the infrastructure supporting Trellis while allowing Walsh to retain ownership of his business and control over the client experience. The platform, which Mariner describes as a supported-independence model, offers tax planning, estate and trust planning, insurance, investment banking, business valuation, financial planning, technology, transition support, and practice management. According to the announcement, this arrangement differs from a traditional acquisition or employment-based affiliation in which advisors join a directly owned business. Rob Sandrew, National Managing Director and Head of Mariner Independent, said Walsh's move shows the platform can be a destination for advisors serving uniquely complex clients.
Mariner was founded in 2006 with approximately $300 million in assets under advisement. As of September 30, 2026, Mariner affiliates collectively advised on more than $660 billion in assets. The Trellis launch adds another independently owned advisory business to the Mariner Independent platform, reflecting growing interest among advisors in operating independent firms while accessing institutional-scale service capabilities.
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