Build Back Generously

Suzanne Shier
Of Counsel, Levenfeld Pearlstein, LLC

1.0 CFP CE approval pending

CPA CPE attendance certificates provided

1.0 CLE General Credit approved

2020 was a year of unprecedented global health, economic, and social justice insecurity, uncertainty, and need. 2021 is difficult to characterize. It has been a year of hope, disappointment, starts and restarts, and, of course, tax proposals, including “Build Back Better.” We will explore the intersection of generosity and taxation, as we Build Back Generously.

Generosity - voluntary acts of kindness and liberality extended to those in need - is almost universally perceived as “good.” It is rooted in compassion and empathy. Generosity is a core value of many families, a cornerstone of community, and a mainstay of our culture.

Taxes - compulsory contributions to local, state, and federal government to raise revenue to finance, in part, government response to need - are neither voluntary nor universally perceived as good. Although taxes are a necessity, but they generate endless debate and controversy.

If generosity is good and there is need, and taxes are a fact of life, how do we as legal, tax, and wealth advisors influence generosity and navigate taxes with our clients? My purpose in speaking on this topic is to inspire you to perpetuate the power of generosity in your sphere of influence - to be a culture carrier of generosity. It is my sincere hope and desire that I succeed.

Suzanne Shier is Of Counsel in the firm’s Trusts & Estates Group. She is experienced in advising high net worth individuals and families in wealth, tax, business, and philanthropic planning. Her focus is on positioning clients to use their assets to achieve the desired impact, and she advises her clients to use their resources to fulfill the aspirations they have for their families, businesses, and communities.

Suzanne’s clients include executives, entrepreneurs, professionals, family wealth owners, corporate fiduciaries, and charities with both domestic and international residence and assets. She has decades of experience both in private practice and with a leading global wealth management firm.

Suzanne is a frequent speaker and is regularly quoted in the media, including the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Penta, and Barron’s. She is the recipient of the Chicago Estate Planning Council Austin Fleming Distinguished Service Award, a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel where she is the incoming chair of the International Planning Committee, and an Academician of The International Academy of Estate and Trust Law.

Suzanne is an adjunct professor in the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law LLM in Taxation Program, where she mentors law students to use their talents to serve clients and the community.

She is active in the civic community, serving on philanthropic boards, concentrating on access to educational excellence at all levels. Suzanne serves on the Executive Committee of Kids Hope USA, Chicago Scholars Foundation, and Hope College.

Suzanne’s greatest joy is her family – her husband, daughters, sons-in-law, and golden retriever. She enjoys spending time outdoors, including hiking, swimming, skiing, and snowshoeing. 

DePaul University School of Law, LLM Taxation
Loyola University School of Law, J.D., cum laude
University of Michigan, B.A., Economics and Sociology, with distinction
Bar Admissions: Illinois