Ronson J. Shamoun

Top rated Tax attorney in San Diego, California

RJS Law
Ronson J. Shamoun
RJS Law

Practice areas: Tax, Estate & Trust Litigation, Estate Planning & Probate; view more

Licensed in California since: 2003

Education: University of San Diego School of Law

Languages spoken: Arabic, English

Selected to Super Lawyers: 2019 - 2026
Free Consultation

RJS Law

303 A Street
Suite 400
San Diego, CA 92101 Visit website
Details

Ronson J. Shamoun is the principal and chief executive officer of RJS LAW, a San Diego–based law firm concentrating on federal and state taxation matters. His practice is particularly focused on criminal tax defense, tax controversy, international tax compliance and sophisticated estate planning. With more than two decades of legal experience, he is widely respected for delivering meticulous, client-focused representation and for navigating complex tax disputes with precision and discretion.

Throughout his career, Mr. Shamoun has represented individuals and businesses before numerous taxing authorities, including the Internal Revenue Service, the California Franchise Tax Board, the Employment Development Department, and the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. His breadth of experience spans matters involving small, family-owned enterprises as well as large domestic and international corporations facing multifaceted tax challenges. Through strategic advocacy, he has successfully resolved cases resulting in the reduction or elimination of hundreds of millions of dollars in assessed tax liabilities and penalties. His established credibility with both the United States Attorney’s Office and various District Attorney’s Offices across California has further enabled him to secure reduced criminal charges or prevent prosecution altogether for many clients.

A lifelong San Diego resident, Mr. Shamoun is a three-time graduate of the University of San Diego, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in accountancy, a Juris Doctor and a Master of Laws in taxation. He remains deeply connected to the university as an adjunct professor at both the School of Law and the School of Business, where he teaches courses in tax procedure, penalties and enforcement. He also serves on advisory and visitor boards for both schools, and has endowed annual scholarships to support student achievement.

Beyond his legal practice, Mr. Shamoun is an active community advocate, business owner, and investor. His accomplishments have earned him an AV Preeminent* peer-review rating through Martindale-Hubbell, and he is a trusted legal commentator for major television and print media throughout San Diego.

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.

Practice areas

Tax: Business, Estate & Trust Litigation, Estate Planning & Probate

Focus areas

Estate Planning, Tax Law, Trusts

  • 60% Tax: Business
  • 20% Estate & Trust Litigation
  • 20% Estate Planning & Probate

First Admitted: 2003, California

Professional Webpage: https://irssolution.com/about-us/ronson-j-shamoun/

Bar / Professional Activity

  • California Bar Association
  • Supreme Court of the State of California
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • United States District Court for the Central District of California
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
  • United States District Court for the Northern District of California
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of California
  • United States Tax Court
  • Orange County Bar Association, Tax Section
  • Los Angeles County Bar Association, Tax Section
  • American Bar Association Taxation Section
  • San Diego County Bar Association Tax Section

Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)

  • USA v. Soro 3:12-cr-01255-AJB. Soro pled guilty to one count of structuring to evade reporting requirements pre-indictment. The initial recommendation was for a Level 19 which would have been 30-37 month sentencing guideline plus $225,000 in forfeiture. We accepted a Level 13 and $150,000 forfeiture. The defendant was ultimately to sentenced to three years' probation with no jail time, 2012
  • USA v. Tammie Huynh 08-CR-1089-W. Represented defendant in a tax evasion case. The defendant plead to one count filing a false return for 2005 and received 3 years of probation with no jail time., 2008
  • People of the State of CA v. Ayash. Case No. AC1786 Defendant was charged with failure to file FTB returns for four years and filing a false return for an LLC for four years. The defendant was facing up to 3 years of imprisonment. However, Ronnie successfully argued departures to warrant probation for 3 years and community service, 2009

Representative Clients

  • Cartwright Termite & Pest Control, Inc.
  • All American Plastic & Packaging
  • Dallo & Co., Inc.

Transactions

  • Represented a commercial tenant in a $5.7M dollar lease dispute involving a property in Temecula. Ultimately, this dispute was settled for less than 1/10th of the original amount sought., 2009
  • Successfully argued against complete revocation of liquor licenses and forced sale of a liquor store to a third party for a well established Temecula liquor store., 2010
  • IRS collection matter Corporation owed over $320,000 in delinquent payroll taxes. The trust fund that can be personally assessed to the responsible officers was over $150,000. There were multiple officers, but only the Vice President was held personally responsible. The CEO and President of the company was not ultimately held personally responsible even though he was the highest ranking officer and check signing authority., 2012
  • Handled tenant settlement negotiations for $1.3M dollar lawsuit for a commercial property in Rancho Santa Fe and ultimately obtained a compromise for less than 1/10th of the original amount sought., 2009

Special Licenses / Certifications

  • Master of Laws in Taxation

Pro bono / Community Service

  • San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce
  • Knights of Columbus 2nd Degree Knight
  • Grossmont Hospital Foundation Honorary Chair
  • San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce
  • National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Emmy Awards – Board of Governors Treasurer 2014-2016 (Pacific Southwest Chapter)

Educational Background

  • University of San Diego, Bachelor of Arts, B.A., Major: Accountancy, 1998

Scholarly Lectures / Writings

  • Appeals, Collections, OIC, & Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program IRS & FTB Issues – Southern California Tax Professionals 2014
  • Criminal Tax Seminar – MCLE California Society of Enrolled Agents 2011
  • Careers in Tax– USD Tax Law Society 2011
  • Tax Topics: Payroll Tax, Criminal Tax, Collection- Continuing Education Presentation for Considine & Considine, Certified Public Accountants 2012
  • Entrepreneurship Planning Panel – USD 2012
  • Tax – USD Tax Panel 2013
  • Audit Techniques – CSTC CLE 2013
  • Careers in Tax Law Panel – California Western School of Law 2014
  • The Daily Transcript Executive Round Table – May 2014

Honors

  • San Diego County Board of Supervisors Certificate of Recognition – RJS LAW | 2013
  • Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition – RJS LAW | 2013
  • Top Lawyers in California – American Lawyer Media | 2013
  • Top Young Influential – San Diego Daily Transcript | 2013
  • San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year – RJS LAW | 2013
  • City of San Diego Certification of Recognition – RJS LAW | 2014
  • Family-Owned Business Finalist – San Diego Business Journal | 2014
  • San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce Certificate of Merit – RJS LAW | 2014
  • Mover to Watch – San Diego Metro Magazine | 2014
  • Best Attorney – San Diego Metro Magazine | 2014
  • Most Admired Companies – San Diego Metro Magazine | 2014
  • Torch Award Finalist – Better Business Bureau of San Diego, Imperial, and Orange Counties | 2014
  • Client’s Choice in Real Estate – Avvo.com | 2014
  • Client’s Choice in Trusts – Avvo.com | 2014
  • Client’s Choice in Business – Avvo.com | 2014
  • Client’s Choice in Tax – Avvo.com | 2014
  • 40 Under 40 – San Diego Metro Magazine | 2015
  • Top Tax Lawyer – San Diego Magazine | 2015
  • Real Estate Tax Law – San Diego Magazine | 2016
  • Top 10 Best Accounting Firms in San Diego, CA – Advisory News | 2016
  • Most Recommended Law Firm – Our City San Diego Magazine | 2016
  • USD School of Law – Distinguished Alumni Award | 2017
  • CEO of the Year: Small Private Company – San Diego Business Journal | 2020
  • CEO of the Year Finalist: Small Private Company – San Diego Business Journal | 2021
  • San Diego 50 Leaders Making a Difference by the San Diego Business Journal | 2020
  • Recognized San Diego Metro Men of Influence – SD Metro Magazine | 2021
  • Winner – RJS LAW – San Diego’s Best Readers Poll – Legal, Real Estate and Tax Law | 2021
  • University of San Diego (USD) Mother Rosalie Clifton Hill Award | 2021
  • RJS LAW Recognized – San Diego’s Best Innovative Law Firms – SD Metro Magazine | 2021
  • SD Metro’s Men of Accomplishment – SD Metro Magazine | 2022
  • Top Young Attorney – San Diego Daily Transcript | 2009, 2010
  • Top Tax Attorney – San Diego Daily Transcript | 2013, 2014, 2015
  • Most Admired CEO Finalist – San Diego Business Journal | 2015, 2016, 2017
  • Best of the Bar – San Diego Business Journal | 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
  • Top 500 Influential Business Leaders – San Diego Business Journal | 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
  • San Diego Best Attorneys – San Diego Metro Magazine | 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021
  • Top Lawyer – San Diego Magazine | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
  • AV Preeminent* rating through Martindale-Hubbell
  • San Diego’s BEST Tax Law Firm – Union Tribune Reader’s Poll | 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022
  • SD500 Most Influential People in San Diego Special Edition – Professional Services – San Diego Business Journal | 2020, 2021, 2023
  • San Diego’s Top Attorneys – San Diego Metro Magazine | 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
  • Top 100 Leaders in Law – San Diego Business Journal | 2023
  • San Diego Super Lawyers | 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025

Office location for Ronson J. Shamoun

303 A Street
Suite 400
San Diego, CA 92101

Phone: 619-736-1720

Selections

8 Years Super Lawyers
  • Super Lawyers: 2019 - 2026

Top Lists

Top 50: San Diego Super Lawyers: 2026

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