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Shawn M. McCullough - Harrison LLP - Harrison LLP

Shawn M. McCullough

Shawn M. McCullough

Partner, CPA | Chicago, IL

Shawn McCullough helps clients plan today for peace of mind tomorrow with tax-smart estate plans and seamless trust administration.

Shawn M. McCullough - Harrison LLP
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Shawn McCullough is dedicated to helping his clients protect their loved ones, create lasting legacies, and safeguard their wealth. His practice focuses on estate planning, trust administration, and probate. Guiding clients with clarity, confidence, and care, Shawn makes complicated processes feel manageable. He partners with individuals and families to design tailored estate plans that reflect their values and minimize tax burdens, ensuring their wishes are honored for generations to come.

Before becoming an attorney, Shawn built a successful career as a CPA, advising clients on tax compliance, financial reporting, fiduciary accountings, and IRS representation. This deep accounting background equips him to navigate sophisticated transfer tax strategies and prepare meticulous gift and estate tax returns with precision.

Respected in his field, Shawn is an active member of the Chicago Bar Association and the Chicago Estate Planning Council. He also serves as Vice Chair of the Board for The Admiral at the Lake Foundation, underscoring his commitment to serving his community.

When he’s not guiding clients through life’s important transitions, Shawn can be found exploring new hiking trails, biking along the lakefront, traveling, and enjoying time with his family.

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Capabilities

Charitable Planned Giving

Estate Planning

Estate & Trust Administration

Family Business Advice

Tax Planning

Speeches & Publications

 Co-author, “Ch. 10, Tax Issues,” Limited Liability Companies (IICLE , 2025) 

“Planning with Powers of Appointment and Disclaimers,” Presenter, Chicago Estate Planning Council (May 2025)

“Basis Planning: Maximizing Tax Efficiency for Estates and Transfers,” IICLE Estate Planning Short Course (May 2025)

Panelist, Utilizing Your Team of Advisors to Guide a Client Through the Sale of Their Business, Exit Planning Institute Chicago Chapter (March 2025)

“Planning for Family Members in Need,” Co-presenter, Chicago Bar Association – Trust Law Committee (February, 2025)

“Client Intake & Communication”, Presenter, Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education (IICLE) – Estate Planning Boot Camp (December, 2024)

“The Top Ten Drafting Considerations for Trusts,” Co-presenter, Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education (IICLE) – Advanced Asset Protection Planning (September 2024)

“Who’s the Trustee, Identifying Trustee Issues During Drafting and Administration,” Presenter, Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education (IICLE) –  2024 Estate Planning Short Course (May 2024)

“Representing Estate and Trust Beneficiaries and Fiduciaries”, Co-presenter, ALI-CLE webinar (April 2024)

“Corporate Entities and Their Impact to Owners,” Presenter, The Business of Family Business Ownership (March 2024)

“Estate Tax Planning for Beginners,” Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education – Estate Planning for the 99% (December 2023)

“A New Generation of Estate Planning: Beyond Electronic Wills,” Co-presenter, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education – 2023 Elder Law Short Course (October 2023)

“Secure Act 2.0,” The Admiral at the Lake Foundation (July 2023)

Author, “Ch. 1, Managing Decedent’s Operating Business and Related Problems,” Estate Administration: Business and Tax-Related Issues (IICLE, 2022)


Click here for full list.

Representative Matters

Protecting Young Families Through Comprehensive Estate Planning Design foundational estate plans for parents with minor children, including guardian nominations and protective trust structures that ensure children's financial security and care in unforeseen circumstances.

Preserving Generational Wealth Through Dynasty Trust Strategies Structure perpetual dynasty trusts that protect family assets across multiple generations while minimizing estate tax exposure, allowing families to build lasting legacies.

Maximizing Tax Benefits with Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts (SLATs) Help married couples leverage their lifetime gift and estate tax exemptions through strategic SLAT planning, preserving wealth while maintaining family access to assets.

Guiding Families Through Trust and Estate Administration Provide compassionate guidance to families navigating the complex administration process following a loved one's death, ensuring efficient settlement while minimizing stress during difficult times.

Developing Advanced Tax-Efficient Wealth Transfer Strategies Analyze complex estate tax implications and design sophisticated gifting strategies that help high-net-worth clients transfer wealth to future generations while minimizing tax burdens

Admissions

Illinois

Education

Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology, J.D.

Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, B.S.

Organizations

Admiral at the Lake Foundation, Vice Chair

Hadley Philanthropy Advisory Council

Chicago Bar Association

Chicago Estate Planning Council

Illinois State Bar Association

ProVisors