Education
Law School: University of San Diego School of Law
Other Graduate School: Masters of Laws in Taxation
College: University of San Diego, bachelor's in accounting
Major Cases
Shamoun has represented thousands of individuals and businesses before the IRS, FTB, SBOE, and EDD in a variety of civil and criminal matters, saving clients millions of dollars in liabilities. A few of his cases include a client he represented in district court, contesting the assessment of an $8 million Trust Fund Recovery Penalty. Shamoun has also resolved a Section 475 mark-to-market audit covering five tax years, saving the client over half a million dollars. Additionally, he represented a client facing 37 months in jail and $225,000 in forfeiture for money laundering. The client received no jail time and had the restitution reduced by more than $100,000. He has also successfully defended a tax preparer facing numerous counts of tax evasion and aiding and abetting after the government accused him of preparing faulty tax returns for himself and others, resulting in $92,000 restitution and no jail time.
Professional Background
Shamoun received his bachelor’s in accountancy at the University of San Diego and returned to USD to receive his Juris Doctor and his Master of Laws in taxation. After law school, he started RJS LAW, San Diego’s preeminent tax controversy law firm. His accounting background along with his experience as a small business owner gives him an unrivaled perspective from which to understand both the position of the government and of the client. RJS LAW has since grown into the largest tax controversy law firm in San Diego, with a team of nearly 25, comprised of nine attorneys, two CPAs, two accountants, law clerks and administrative staff.
Professional Affiliations
Aside from RJS Law, Shamoun owns an extensive and diverse portfolio of very successful businesses. He is the owner of two restaurants in East County, as well as a convenience store, a Subway franchise, a café and laundromat in Ocean Beach. He also has invested in various commercial real estate properties, highlighted by his purchase of the 32,500-square-foot Ronson J. Shamoun Building in downtown San Diego, across from the San Diego Civic Theatre, where RJS Law is currently located. He formerly served as general counsel for a regional supermarket conglomerate with 13 stores and more than 800 employees.
Personal Affiliations
Shamoun is heavily involved in the Ocean Beach community where he owns a number of properties. He continues to support USD as a prominent alumni, providing law clerk positions to USD Law students to enhance their educational opportunities and providing an annual $5,000 scholarship for a USD Law student who plans on pursuing an LL.M. in taxation at the university. He is also involved with, and donates to, several charitable organizations such as the Grossmont Hospital Foundation Gala, the Chaldean Middle Eastern Social Services Clinic, and the Rwandan Orphans Project, as well as being an ardent supporter of, and serving as landlord to, the USO.
Personal Background
Shamoun is a true San Diegan. He was born and raised in San Diego, and attended Grossmont High School. He then went on to complete his Bachelor of Arts in Accountancy, J.D., and LL.M. in taxation at USD. He is very active in East County, where he currently lives with his wife, Melanie, and their daughters Mariella and Audriana. He credits the success of RJS LAW to the undying support and love he received from his parents, and thanks them for the work ethic and business principles they instilled in him.