Bilzin Sumberg mourns the passing of Practice Group Leader Shawn P. Wolf

In Memoriam: Shawn P. Wolf

Bilzin Sumberg mourns the passing of Shawn P. Wolf, Practice Group Leader of the firm’s Tax & Private Wealth Group, whose exceptional career, leadership, and humanity left a lasting imprint on the firm, the legal profession and tax community, and the many clients and colleagues he served.

Shawn was widely regarded as one of nation’s preeminent private wealth and international tax attorneys. Over the course of his career, he advised domestic and international high-net-worth individuals, multi-generational families, and closely held businesses on complex U.S. and cross-border tax, estate planning, expatriation, and compliance matters. He was particularly sought out for his ability to guide clients through intricate, multi-jurisdictional issues with clarity, sound judgment, and unwavering integrity.

Shawn earned his undergraduate degree in Business Law and International Finance & Marketing from the University of Miami, followed by his Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Miami, and a Master of Laws in Taxation with an International Tax Certificate from the University of Miami School of Law. His academic foundation reflected the global and sophisticated nature of the work he would go on to lead throughout his career.

Shawn’s professional credentials reflected the highest levels of distinction in the tax and private wealth field. He was a Florida Bar Board Certified Tax Lawyer, a designation held by a select group of practitioners and widely regarded as a benchmark of excellence. He served in numerous leadership roles within The Florida Bar Tax Section, including as Chair, and was a Fellow of both the American College of Tax Counsel and the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, honors reserved for lawyers who have demonstrated exceptional skill, integrity, and leadership. His professional excellence was recognized nationally and internationally through honors such as Chambers USA, Chambers High Net Worth, The Best Lawyers in America, Florida Super Lawyers, and Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Global Tax Lawyers.

Shawn was deeply committed to education and invested in mentorship. He served as an adjunct professor of international taxation at University of Miami, Florida International University, Florida Gulf Coast University, and Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM), and was a frequent lecturer and contributor to professional journals and conferences. He was also a prolific and highly respected author and speaker on international and private wealth tax matters. His writings, published in The Florida Bar Journal, STEP Journal, Florida CPA Today, and Bilzin Sumberg’s Tax & Wealth Services Report, were widely regarded for their clarity, intellectual rigor, and practical insight. Through his scholarship, Shawn helped practitioners navigate some of the most complex and evolving areas of U.S. and cross-border taxation.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Shawn was known for his warmth, intellectual curiosity, and unmistakable presence. A devoted fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and a lifelong enthusiast of Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, comic books and graphic novels, his passions reflected a deep appreciation for storytelling, strategy, and enduring narratives of courage, loyalty, and perseverance. Those who knew him best cherished his wit, generosity of spirit, and rare ability to form genuine, lasting connections with people from every walk of life. Shawn’s legacy of love, laughter, and unwavering devotion to family endures through all who were fortunate enough to know him. His greatest hope for his children was that they pursue their dreams without limitation and live lives filled with purpose, joy, and adventure. For family, friends, and colleagues alike, the most meaningful way to honor Shawn’s memory is to live fully, love deeply, and approach the world with the same curiosity, kindness, and enthusiasm that defined his life.

Shawn will be remembered as a consummate professional of the highest integrity, a generous mentor, and a tireless advocate for excellence in the practice of international tax and private wealth. His contributions to the legal profession and tax community, his dedication to education, and his leadership in professional organizations left an indelible mark on colleagues and students alike. He touched the lives of many through his expertise, his kindness, and his unwavering commitment to his clients and his community.

We will miss and honor Shawn’s friendship, leadership, partnership, and memory at Bilzin Sumberg.