Tiedemann Advisors Speaker Series


Wealth Planning Strategies During Difficult Times
A conversation wealth planning experts at Tiedemann Advisors


Speaker Biographies


Jim Bertles -Circle

Jim Bertles
Managing Director, Tiedemann Advisors

Jim is responsible for working with Tiedemann clients and their advisors and developing trust, tax and estate planning solutions for clients. He also leads the firm’s business development strategy team and oversees the firm’s relations with outside attorneys.

Prior to joining Tiedemann in 2008, Jim was President and Chief Operating Officer of Brown Brothers Harriman Trust Company, responsible for all trust, fiduciary and tax activities in the United States. From 1999 to 2004, he was a Managing Director of Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., responsible for all investment and fiduciary activities in Florida. Prior to Brown Brothers Harriman, Jim practiced law in Connecticut, New York and Florida at the law firms of Cummings & Lockwood (Associate), Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft (Partner and a member of the firm’s Management Committee), and Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart (Partner).

Certifications and memberships include:

  • Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
  • Board-certified (Emeritus Specialist), Florida Bar in Wills, Trusts and Estates
  • Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Chancellor and Member of the Vestry, Bethesda-By-The-Sea Episcopal Church (Former)
  • Chairman of the Executive Committee of Professional Advisors, Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties (Former)
  • Member, Executive Committee of the Trust and Investment Division of the New York Bankers Association (Former)
  • Member of the Executive Committee, Trust Management Association, Inc. (Former)
  • Director and Chairman of the Planned Giving Committee, Norton Museum (Former)

Jim earned a Juris Doctor degree from Fordham University Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and political science from Amherst College, and is a graduate of The Choate School. Originally from Greenwich, Connecticut, Jim has lived in Palm Beach, Florida, with his wife, Lisa, since 1985, where he is an active member of the community. They have three grown children.


Brittany CookBrittany Cook
Managing Director, Tiedemann Advisors

Brittany is responsible for working with clients and their advisors to develop and administer custom trust, tax and estate planning solutions. She also brings experience with Delaware trust law and related advantages relative to each client’s specific short-term and long-term objectives. Brittany serves as the main point of contact for clients, managing execution of the integrated plan and overseeing its ongoing administration, including updates due to evolution of family circumstances and applicable laws. She is also a member of the Firm’s Trust Review Committee.

Prior to joining Tiedemann, Brittany was a Vice President, Trust Officer and Assistant Fiduciary Counsel, at Bessemer Trust in its estate planning group. During her tenure, Brittany developed inter-generational wealth transfer planning strategies for clients and administered trust accounts established in Delaware.

Certifications and memberships include:

  • State bar, Pennsylvania
  • State bar, New Jersey
  • State bar, Delaware (associate)
  • Member, Estate Planning Council, Philadelphia
  • Member, Wilmington Tax Group
  • Board Member, The Fertility Fund: A gift from the heart

Brittany earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Rutgers University School of Law. She also earned a Master of Law in Taxation and an Estate Planning Certification from Temple University in Philadelphia, following a Bachelor of Arts in art history and government from Hamilton College. Born in New Jersey, Brittany currently resides in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, with her husband and two children.


Hayes Roberts - CircleHayes Roberts
Managing Director, Tiedemann Advisors

Hayes is responsible for working with clients and their advisors to develop custom trust, tax and estate planning solutions. He brings experience with Delaware trust law and related advantages relative to each client’s specific short-term and long-term objectives. He serves as the main point of contact for clients, managing execution of the integrated plan and overseeing its ongoing administration, including updates due to evolution of family circumstances and applicable laws. Hayes is also responsible for leading all operations in the Delaware office of Tiedemann Trust Company.

Prior to joining Tiedemann Trust Company in 2001, Hayes worked for J.P. Morgan & Co. Inc., specializing in corporate reorganizations of foreign and domestic securities. While at J.P. Morgan, Hayes also worked jointly with international companies, the New York Stock Exchange and National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) to bring about new stock issues. Prior to J.P. Morgan, Hayes practiced law in Pennsylvania and worked in finance and accounting in both Pennsylvania and Delaware.

Certifications and memberships include:

  • Member, State Bar Pennsylvania
  • Member State Bar New Jersey
  • Member, American Bar Association Tax and Estates Section
  • Certified Trust and Financial Advisor
  • Grand Trustee, The Grand Opera House of Delaware

Hayes earned a Juris Doctor degree from Widener University School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Finance from Rider University. He was born and raised in Queens, New York, and currently resides in Garnet Valley, Pennsylvania, with his three children.