Chuhak & Tecson elevates Shiner to shareholder and Mermigas to principal

Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. proudly announces that principal David Shiner has been elevated to shareholder and associate Christina Mermigas is now a principal of the firm. These two dedicated and talented attorneys have well-earned reputations among clients and colleagues alike for their responsiveness and accessibility as well as their insightful counsel based on a holistic view of clients’ goals.

David Shiner joined Chuhak & Tecson in 1999 as an associate and was elevated to principal in 2005 before becoming leader of the firm’s Tax & Employee Benefits practice group in 2014.

“What makes David such an asset for the firm and his clients is that he is truly passionate about protecting his clients from unnecessary risk and avoidable tax burdens, whether advising on wealth protection strategies or federal, state or local tax controversies,” said Mitchell Weinstein, president of Chuhak & Tecson. “We are proud to have him as a shareholder, colleague and friend.”

A certified public accountant who also holds a Master of Laws degree in taxation, Shiner prides himself on his ability to craft strategies that keep his clients’ tax liabilities to a minimum. He has over two decades of experience counseling clients on income, gift and estate tax matters as well as the implementation of a variety of asset protection trusts. He also has a lengthy record of successfully defending his clients in controversies with the IRS of all sizes and complexity, both in administrative proceedings and U.S. Tax Court.

Additionally, Shiner’s practice includes providing counsel on a wide range of other matters that face his corporate clients, including entity formation, business succession planning, employee benefits, mergers and acquisitions and tax-deferred exchanges.

Shiner earned his Juris Doctor degree from The John Marshall Law School, Chicago, and his Master of Laws in taxation from Chicago-Kent College of Law. He says that while the tax laws have changed dramatically during his 20 years at Chuhak & Tecson, his goal of developing and implementing strategies designed to accomplish his clients’ objectives remains the same.

“Tax law is always evolving in ways that present new challenges as well as new opportunities,” Shiner said. “The key is to stay ahead of these changes and immerse yourself in their details and implications so you can offer the best guidance and avoid unwelcome surprises.”

In only three years at Chuhak & Tecson, Christina Mermigas has risen from associate to a principal of the firm, a testament to her tireless work ethic, commitment to maintaining the highest level of client service and professionalism, and her pursuit of business development opportunities within and outside of the firm.

“It was obvious from the start that Christina had the talent and commitment to make a name for herself at the firm,” said Weinstein. “She quickly gained the trust and respect of her peers, colleagues and clients, welcoming legal challenges and enhancing the already robust skill set that she brought with her to the firm.”

An accomplished transactional and business attorney, Mermigas has extensive experience with the documentation of loan financing, the acquisition of commercial real estate, the development of prudent and comprehensive business succession plans and asset protection strategies and other matters that impact the success of her corporate clients. She also develops personally tailored and holistic estate plans for clients, whether for those with modest estates or those with large, complex asset portfolios.

A magna cum laude graduate of Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, who earned her law degree, cum laude, from DePaul University College of Law, Chicago, Mermigas regularly utilizes her license to practice in Florida to help clients in probate and estate planning matters that intersect with that state.

“The collegial environment at Chuhak & Tecson is what I value most and I am vested in the future of this firm,” Mermigas said. “I find it very rewarding to be an integral team player amongst the wide variety of practice areas the firm offers to their clients.”