Linda Houston

Linda is a Bates Consulting and Testifying Expert who has deep experience in suitability and wrongful termination issues. Ms. Houston has nearly 20 years of leadership experience at Merrill Lynch (1999 - 2017) with various roles including extensive recruiting of Financial Advisors. She has hired under the known Broker Protocol agreements and was instrumental in training Market Executives nationwide on recruiting practices. Linda has made over 100 recruit hires in her tenure as a Market / Managing Director and her involvement included initial recruit discussions, proper transitions under broker protocol, financial transition packages, deferred compensation and incentive compensation. Her in depth and personal knowledge of recruiting practices across the industry would allow her to be a valuable resource for firms looking for such knowledge.

Linda is a consultant and subject matter expert in these Practice Areas and Services:

Securities and Financial Services Litigation & Consulting
- Retail Securities

Credentials

Experience

Bates Group LLC, Consulting and Testifying Expert, 2020 – Present
LGH Consulting, LLC, Wealth Management Consulting Business Owner, 2019 - Present
Virginia National Bank, Board Director; Head of Wealth Management Committee, on the ALCO Committee and Compensation Committee, 2018 - Present
Bank of America/Merrill Lynch, 1998 – 2017; Managing Director/Division Executive, 2011 – 2017; Head of Global Wealth and Investment Management Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Council, 2011 – 2017; New Jersey Regional Managing Director, 2010 – 2011; National Marketing and Sales Manager, 2008 – 2009; Managing Director/Market Executive, 1999 - 2008

Education

Bachelor of Arts (BA), Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL
Women’s Executive Business Leadership Program, Harvard Business School, Boston, MA
Women’s Executive Leadership Development Program, Keenan Flagler School of Business University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC

Awards

Women of Merit Award, Baruch College Zicklin School of Business, New York City
Women of FIRE Award, Top Female recognition in North East for Financial Institution, Real Estate professionals

Community Service

Florida Oceanographic, Board member and Head of Development Committee, 2019 – Present
The Community Foundation Board of Martin St Lucie County, Board Member, Investment Committee Director, 2019 - Present