Steward Partners Lands Largest Wirehouse Breakaway in Firm History
Steward Partners has added its largest wirehouse breakaway team to date through a strategic partnership with Zelniker Dorfman Private Wealth, bringing approximately $2.4 billion in client assets to the firm’s growing advisory platform.
The move adds an 11-person team led by wealth advisors Scott Zelniker and Peter Dorfman, including six advisors with more than a century of combined industry experience. The team will operate as Zelniker Dorfman Private Wealth at Steward Partners and joins through the firm’s mergers and acquisitions channel.
The practice specializes in serving business owners navigating liquidity events, multi-generational families, professional athletes, entertainers, women investors and a growing roster of gaming and content creator clients.
With the addition, Steward Partners strengthens its footprint across key wealth markets, including New York City, Connecticut and Florida’s East and Gulf Coasts.
“Over the course of my career, I have had the privilege of watching families grow across generations and finding a partner in Steward who shares that long-term vision made this decision clear,” said Scott Zelniker, partner and wealth advisor at Zelniker Dorfman Private Wealth.
Peter Dorfman cited Steward’s ownership structure and long-term growth strategy as key factors behind the decision.
“The hybrid model, the employee-ownership structure, the investment Steward is making in its partners—it all pointed in one direction. Steward is building something that is meant to outlast all of us,” Dorfman said.
The transaction further expands Steward’s M&A channel, which is designed to provide succession, continuity and growth solutions for established advisory teams while allowing them to maintain their brands and client relationships.
The firm has been actively investing in growth initiatives. Earlier this year, Steward added a Georgia-based team managing approximately $630 million in assets from Stifel Financial. In December 2025, Steward secured a $475 million capital investment from Ares Management while maintaining partner control of the business.
As of April 2026, Steward Partners oversaw more than $52 billion in client assets.