I joined Udall Shumway in 1987 and currently head the firm’s Transactional and Estate Planning Group. I completed my undergraduate studies at Brigham Young University where, in 1980, I received a B.S. in Accounting with a minor in English. I am a Certified Public Accountant (Texas, 1982). I received my Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University in 1987. During law school, I was a Member (1985-86) and Editor-in-Chief (1986-87) of the BYU Journal of Public Law. Prior to law school, I worked with an international accounting firm and with the corporate accounting group of a Fortune 500 company.
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Since joining the firm, I have used my tax and accounting background to good advantage. My practice focuses on business formation, purchases and sales of business assets and interests, loan documentation and financing arrangements, business succession planning, security arrangements, purchases, sales and leases of commercial property and business dissolution. I also assists clients with tax planning for large estates and routinely provide tax and business planning advice in such diverse areas as probate, marital dissolution, deferred compensation and dispute resolution.
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I am licensed to practice in the courts of the State of Arizona, the Federal District Court of Arizona, and the United States Tax Court. I am currently a member of the State Bar of Arizona and the East Valley Bar Association. I am also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. I am actively involved in the community and am, or have been, a member of the Mesa Museum & Cultural Advisory Board, Maricopa Association of Governments Blue Ribbon Committee on Regional Growth, Mesa Arts & Entertainment Alliance Committee, Mesa Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors, Mesa Baseline Rotary, and Arizona Regional Medical Center. I am also a member of the executive committee of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society, Phoenix Chapter.
Languages spoken
English, Italian
Udall Shumway PLC
1138 North Alma School Road
Suite 101
Mesa, AZ, 85201
Udall Shumway PLC
Phoenix Office (Tatum & Shea)
Phoenix, AZ, 85028
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
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AZ | Active | 1987 | 05/22/2022 |
Legal answers | 0 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2016 |
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2015 |
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2014 |
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2013 |
2013 Top Lawyer's List (Tax Law) | Arizona Business Magazine | 2013 |
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2012 |
2011 Top Lawyers List (Trusts & Estates) | Arizona Business Magazine | 2011 |
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2011 |
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2010 |
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2009 |
Certified Public Accountant | Texas Board of Accountancy | 1982 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
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Attorney | Udall Shumway PLC | 1987 - Present |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
J. Reuben Clark Law Society | Chair Elect | 2017 - Present |
East Valley Partnership | Board of Directors | 2016 - Present |
J. Reuben Clark Law Society, Phoenix Chapter | Executive Committee | 2005 - Present |
Mesa Convention and Visitors Bureau | Board of Directors | 1997 - Present |
State Bar of Arizona | Member | 1987 - Present |
East Valley Bar Association | Member | 1987 - Present |
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants | Member | 1982 - Present |
Maricopa Association of Governments Blue Ribbon Committee on Regional Growth | Committee Member | 1997 - 1998 |
Mesa Museum & Cultural Advisory Board | Member | 1988 - 1994 |
Mesa Arts & Entertainment Alliance Committee | Member | 1988 - 1998 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
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Brigham Young University - J. Reuben Clark Law School | JD - Juris Doctor | 1987 |
Brigham Young University | BS - Bachelor of Science | 1980 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
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Trusts Used for Tax Reduction: Drafting Tips and Samples | IRA Trusts | 2016 |
Anthony Contente-Cuomo, Health care Attorney on May 18, 2016
Relationship: Co-worker
Stephen is a dedicated advocate with a wealth of experience and knowledge in a multitude of areas of law. I reach out to Stephen with all of my health care law related concerns for my education law clients and his guidance has always been invaluable. Stephen is the consummate professional and I highly recommend him to all those in need of top notch legal services.
Brian Allen, Estate planning Attorney on May 17, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Steve West is a top notch lawyer. His accounting background and years of experience make him uniquely suited to provide high end legal advice to people and business entities with tax, estate planning, or asset protection issues. I happily give Steve my highest endorsement.