Maxwell A. Shapiro, Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A.

Maxwell Shapiro came out of high school with a lofty goal: “I had this crazy idea,” he said, “that I’d be good enough to star in varsity basketball at the University of St. Thomas.”

He may have missed the mark on that one, but he’s been right on just about everything else since. His route to Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A., where he’s been a rising star in the tax division, began at the University of St. Thomas, where in 2011, he graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in leadership and management, and again in 2015 with his J.D. and MBA degrees.

“I love helping clients at the nexus of business and law. My work in tax credits is a perfect blend of assessing business risk with legal analysis.” His clients range from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies, and for each engagement, it’s critical he learn his client’s inner workings. “Tax law is complex and quite boring. So I love living vicariously through the innovative and cutting-edge things my clients get to do.” His challenge is to deduce those complex laws and communicate the implications in a way his clients can better understand.

Before joining Winthrop & Weinstine, Shapiro was a senior associate at PwC, then worked in Target’s internal tax department for almost three years. Then, “I got the bug to jump to a law firm,” he said. “Working in an in-house tax role taught me to see things from the client’s side of the table. I understand what tax teams need from outside advisers, what adds real value and what can get in the way. That experience helps me tailor my advice to be practical, efficient, and directly responsive to the challenges my clients face.”

His colleagues admire his mentorship of younger associates, and his pro bono work with the local chapter of Wills for Heroes, a nonprofit agency born out of the 9/11 attacks that provides estate planning for first responders of all kinds.

Shapiro and other volunteer attorneys meet with families of first responders once a month where they conduct day-long workshops, drafting estate planning documents such as wills, trusts, health care directives, and powers of attorney. “Helping companies and bottom lines is one thing. Helping people and their families is a very different experience, one that’s incredibly fulfilling and heartwarming,” Shapiro said.

A colleague of his said, “Max brings an eye for business strategy, tax planning, and compliance that is unparalleled among similarly tenured attorneys.” He advises clients across all industries, including manufacturing, retail, food and beverage, and health care.

Colleagues also say he’s fun at the office. From his work on internal committees to his well-timed dad jokes to organizing the firm’s March Madness tradition, he helps foster a strong sense of community.