Overview
Shawn focuses his practice on advising all aspects of the innovator economy. From capital allocators to startups, Shawn counsels organizations throughout their lifecycle including business strategy, formation of funds, SPV’s, company structuring, funding, and mergers and acquisitions.
Shawn started his career at Arthur Andersen in a unique group that advised UHNW families in a precursor to the Multi Family Office. As part of the largest professional services firm in the world he advised families and family-owned businesses on tax, investment, finance, estate planning, corporate structuring, and M&A.
After his time at Arthur Andersen, Shawn founded Modus Law in Boulder, CO, specializing in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Modus advised investors, families, and growth companies. In 2018 Shawn and the Modus team joined the Michael Best Family. Shawn now leads the Colorado market, and spends significant time working with our world class Strategies and Consulting sister firms. When not working he can almost always be found with his family and friends on two wheels or two planks heading up or down the mountains of Colorado.
In addition to his professional work, Shawn serves as a Board Member for Greenhouse Scholars, a community-driven organization empowering high-achieving students from low-resource communities. He also serves as a Board Member for the Institute for Entrepreneurship at the CSU College of Business, where he supports educational initiatives and helps foster innovation across the Colorado State University campus. Shawn also serves as a Board Member for Startup Colorado, a nonprofit organization that supports rural entrepreneurs across Colorado by providing resources, connections, and programming to help them start and grow their businesses.
Experience
Solutions in action
Credentials
- University of Colorado, Juris Doctor (J.D.), 2003
- University of Wisconsin - Madison, Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Accounting, Risk Management and Insurance, 1997
- Securities and Exchange Commission Series 7, 34, and 65
- Colorado
Engagement
- Volunteer, Grand County Search and Rescue, 2012-Present
- Founding Member (Now Pledge 1%), EFCO
- Co-founder, Stigler and Nelson Alpine Endeavors Law Scholarship
- Board Member, Greenhouse Scholars
- Board Member, Institute for Entrepreneurship at the CSU College of Business
- Board Member, Startup Colorado
Insights

Michael Best Announces Additions to Firm’s Management Committee
Michael Best is pleased to announce the appointment of partners Michael Green and Hamang Patel, and the reappointment of Kerryann Haase Minton to the national AmLaw 200 firm’s Management Committee. The appointments mark the continued recognition of the firm’s commitment to innovative leadership and a collaborative approach to navigating the legal industry’s changing landscape.Read
Nov 18, 2025

Michael Best, Denver-based Allen Vellone Wolf Helfrich & Factor P.C. to Complete Formal Strategic Combination
Michael Best Continues Expansion in Denver, Enhances Litigation and Bankruptcy Capabilities National AmLaw 200 firm Michael Best and Allen Vellone Wolf Helfrich & Factor P.C.,…Read
Sep 24, 2025

Michael Best Represents ReSync Bio in Strategic Transaction
Michael Best represented ReSync Bio in their recent transaction with Benchling, a cloud-based software platform powering the biotechnology industry. ReSync Bio developed software to accelerate…Read
Sep 19, 2025
