F. Thomas O'Halloran, CFA, J.D. serves as lead Portfolio Manager with 39 years of industry experience, having joined Lord Abbett in 2001 and becoming Partner in 2003. His unique background includes serving as trial lawyer and criminal prosecutor before entering finance in 1987. He holds degrees from Bowdoin College (AB economics/government), Boston College Law School (JD), Columbia Business School (MBA), and the CFA designation. He has been featured in major financial publications including The Wall Street Journal, Investor's Business Daily, and Barron's for expertise in small cap growth investing. The management team includes three additional experienced professionals: Matthew R. DeCicco (CFA, 27 years experience), Vernon Bice (25 years experience), and Benjamin Ebel (26 years experience), collectively providing over 100 years of investment management expertise.

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The Fund seeks to deliver long-term growth of capital by investing primarily in stocks of small U.S. companies. The fund invests at least 65% of its net assets in equity securities of small companies within the Russell 2000® Index market capitalization range and may invest up to 20% in foreign companies including emerging markets. The management team believes in the secular bull market for innovative growth stocks, with innovation flourishing in areas including generative artificial intelligence in semiconductors, software, defense, and space technology sectors. The investment approach combines fundamental and quantitative research with active management and emphasizes security selection over market timing, focusing on companies with strong management teams, robust business models, and ability to adapt to changing market conditions.

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