Founder of Oakcliff Capital — manager of a small, concentrated value-investing partnership in New York.
Life story
Public biographical information on Bryan R. Lawrence is very limited: no reliable sources were found on his birth year, family or education. He keeps a low public profile.
How they got started
Lawrence founded the investment partnership Oakcliff Capital; the firm's website dates its track record to 2004. Oakcliff invests in publicly traded securities and is based on Park Avenue in New York.
According to SEC filings, he is also associated with Yorktown Partners, a private equity firm investing in energy businesses, and holds roles at several of its portfolio companies. He has spoken at Grant's conference and appeared on investing podcasts (The Investor's Podcast, Richer, Wiser, Happier).
Investment style
Oakcliff sums up its approach briefly: long-term investments in undervalued, high-quality businesses. In practice that means a very concentrated portfolio — a handful of companies (roughly up to ten) rather than dozens — held for years. It is close to the Buffett-school idea of buying quality businesses at fair prices.
Best decisions
Long-term record
The firm's website states that Oakcliff has beaten the S&P 500 since 2004. Independent, audited annual figures were not found in public sources.
Biggest mistakes
Limited information
No reliable public information was found on Lawrence's specific mistakes or failed investments.
Today
As of 2026 Oakcliff Capital is active and files quarterly 13F reports. Because the fund is small, each position carries a large weight in the portfolio.
What to learn from following the portfolio
- Oakcliff's portfolio is small and concentrated — a new position or a sharp increase in a stake is a clear sign of conviction.
- Being small, the fund can buy mid-cap companies that large funds cannot — useful as an idea source, but copying is not a strategy.
- 13F shows only long U.S.-listed positions and lags by up to 45 days; Lawrence's other activities (such as private energy investments) are not visible here.
- Halal lens: a quality-business approach often leads to technology, industrial and consumer companies, but financials (brokers, banks) can also appear — those are typically not halal. Check each position's halal status on the Portfolio tab.
An introduction based on public sources — not investment advice. Spotted an error? Let us know.