Get to Know Alan Shamoun

Alan Shamoun is the owner of Frontier Law Firm PLLC Southfield, a boutique tax law firm focused primarily on tax resolution and estate planning, as well as commercial property tax assessment appeals and a focus on crypto-currencies and their tax implications. 

A native of the Metro Detroit area, Shamoun graduated from Walled Lake Western High School. After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in finance from Wayne State University, he worked in the credit card processing industry for a few years before attending University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.  Shamoun was involved in a number of student organizations including serving as vice president of the Student Bar Association, the Moot Court Board of Advocates, and the law school’s hockey team. He graduated cum laude in 2012 and launched his own firm after passing the bar exam.

In 2014, Shamoun joined the Ayar Law Firm, focusing primarily in tax conflicts, and. handling a variety of cases including audit defense, collections, and criminal tax evasion. In May 2017 he left the firm to establish the Frontier Law Firm.

Shamoun and his wife Chantel have two children, Noah, 3, and Elise, 8 months.

By Sheila Pursglove

Legal News

What would surprise people about your job? How many people have an issue at some point with the IRS in their life. It is much more common than people think or want to admit that they have fallen behind or neglected their tax situation.

Why did you become a lawyer?
I really wanted to find a way to help people. I never knew back then I would be helping people with their tax issues with the IRS or various states, but being able to guide people through their tax problems is always rewarding.

What’s your favorite law-related TV show?
I always loved watching Law and Order and would try and guess the ending as each episode progressed to the end.

What advice do you have for someone considering law school?
Law school is expensive. That dream job where you come out of school making 6 figures is no guarantee. And even then, it will take long hours and a lot of sweat to make it in any firm, big or small. But becoming a lawyer can be very rewarding. Just follow your passion.

What’s your proudest moment as a lawyer?
I had a client who had racked up over a million dollars in tax debt to the IRS and State of Michigan due to some advice he received from a non-lawyer. I helped him settle his entire debt to the IRS for $3,000 and the State of Michigan for $1,200. I cannot put into words his response with how happy and grateful he was. It was reassurance as to why I became a lawyer.

What made you decide to specialize in tax law?
Opportunity mainly. I didn’t really have any idea of what tax law really entailed before I took a position with a firm that specialized in it.

What’s the best advice you ever received?
Find a niche area of the law you enjoy and stick with it. You want to know everything there is about that one area of law and stay within your lane.

What do you do to relax?
I’ll either spend time with my wife and kids or you can find me on the golf course.

What would you say to your 16-year-old self?
Don’t work so much right now. You have the rest of your life to work. Enjoy your time without any real responsibilities.

Favorite app: The local news channel apps and ESPN.

Favorite music: Classic rock.

What is your happiest childhood memory?
Spending a week at Disneyworld with my family when I was 8.

What’s the most awe-inspiring place you’ve ever been?
On our honeymoon in Mo’orea, Tahiti, my wife and I did an ATV excursion. At one point we stopped for a break and we were on the side of the large mountain in the center and you could see the entire island around you and out into the ocean for miles. It was absolutely incredible.

If you could have one super power, what would it be?
I would love the ability to fly.

What’s one thing you would like to learn to do?
I wish I had learned to play the piano when I was younger.

What is something most people don’t know about you?
I used to live next door to Vladimir Konstantinov while he was on the Red Wings; but before they won the Stanley Cup and he was in that car accident. He was one of the nicest guys I had ever met.

Favorite quote?
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” – Wayne Gretzky

Favorite place to spend money:  On vacation!

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