fbpx

Tax Attorney Suzanne DeWitt Finds Ideal Balance Between Work and Personal Life

As a mother of two young children via surrogacy, Tax attorney Suzanne DeWitt believes in the notion that “work-life balance is dead, it’s all about life-work balance instead.” She is the founder and managing partner of DeWitt PLLC and has over 23 years of experience in international tax and private wealth planning. DeWitt is an expert in global tax minimization and cross-border wealth planning and implementation. Her work includes private banking and international tax and trust planning for high net-worth clients and financial institutions and the structuring, formation, and operation, on a cross-border basis, of a variety of alternative investment products, U.S. and non-U.S. hedge funds and private equity funds. 

DeWitt has marched to the beat of her own drum her entire life. She has always loved the thrill of excelling in any topic she decides to tackle in life, whether as a single mother (by choice) raising her two young children or racing off-road dirt bikes and motorcycles in her spare time. She truly believes we are at a unique time in history and there is nothing keeping women, especially working mothers, from having it all these days. 

“Many women’s biological clocks are drowned out by their professional clocks—that simply does not have to be the case. I have decided to ‘go for it’ in all areas of my life and I champion other women, especially working mothers, who have decided to do the same. 

What Challenges Have You Faced in Your Legal Career? How Did You Overcome Those Challenges?  

The challenge of practicing transactional-based law, which is itself inherently difficult for female attorneys. The type of law I practice is itself a challenge for me as a woman. In my experience, transaction-focused practices, such as the area I practice in, international tax law, has traditionally and historically been male-dominated. Transaction-orientated practices can be notoriously unpredictable in terms of what transactions are closing and when. This makes it difficult for me as a woman to plan my life around the “deal flow.” These transactions happen sporadically and make it a challenge for women who have responsibilities at home in addition to their profession. Working in a practice area that has unpredictable deadlines and closing dates makes it hard for women to manage their responsibilities at home, which requires a more predictable work schedule. A great way to elegantly overcome these challenges (or, ideally, prevent them altogether) is to align yourself with colleagues and clients that share your value system. Fortunately, there has been an increased recognition that women’s childbearing/rearing responsibilities should not be a point of derailment for their legal careers. And interestingly, a lot of change is being encouraged from the client’s end. Clients want to see themselves in those representing them and have been vocal in supporting an increase in women’s roles as essential parts of legal teams. 

What Has Been The Most Monumental Moment Of Your Career Thus Far? 

One of my most monumental moments was that “aha” moment, where I realized that all of my “achievement stars” had beautifully aligned together. It was around that sixth or seventh-year mark in my career where I was no longer hesitant to exercise creative thinking and propose out-of-the-box solutions to fully solve my client’s issue(s).   

What Has Been Your Proudest Professional Moment?

There are a couple that come to mind. Being able to confidently respond to a complex question in one sentence and experiencing that feeling of joy when a colleague’s achievement is attributable to my knowledge sharing and guidance. 

What Are Some Ways You Give Back to the Community? 

I never turn down an opportunity to share my knowledge and teach someone; the ability to teach complex subject matter not only validates my mastery of the subject, but “paying it forward” brings me such joy. 

You May Also Like

Palm Beach Names Joanne M. O’Connor Town Attorney

The Palm Beach Town Council passed a resolution recognizing O’Connor’s new role.

Fort Lauderdale High School Students Selected as 2024 Conrad & Scherer Pathways to Careers in Law Fellows

Seniors from this year’s and last year’s classes will be eligible to apply for a paid summer internship at the law firm.

Annual Joint Tax & Estate Planning Seminar Draws Over 350 Industry Professionals 

The theme centered around planning for an uncertain future.

Development Specialists, Inc. Holds Bankruptcy Bar Networking Event in Fort Lauderdale

The company has been one of the leading providers of management consulting and financial advisory services for 45 years.

Other Posts

Siblings Boost Prestigious Fort Lauderdale Trial Law Firm as it Celebrates 50th Anniversary

William Scherer, III and Former Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer will serve as Partners at the firm.

Bryant Miller Olive P.A. Named As Best Law Firm in Public Finance Law by U.S. News

Bryant Miller Olive P.A. (BMO) was recently honored as a 2023 Tier 1 National “Best Law Firm” for Public Finance Law by U.S. News – Best Lawyers®. BMO was also recognized in U.S.

The Executive Director of Legal Aid Service of Broward County Charts the Way Forward

“When I was growing up, we were very poor, in a very impoverished place,” says Brent Thompson about his North Dakota upbringing. The executive director of Legal Aid Service of

Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman Expands South Florida Presence

Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman (WSHC+B) recently moved into two new office spaces in South Florida to accommodate the law firm’s growth. The company moved its Miami office a

Drew Limsky

Drew Limsky

Editor-in-Chief

BIOGRAPHY

Drew Limsky joined Lifestyle Media Group in August 2020 as Editor-in-Chief of South Florida Business & Wealth. His first issue of SFBW, October 2020, heralded a reimagined structure, with new content categories and a slew of fresh visual themes. “As sort of a cross between Forbes and Robb Report, with a dash of GQ and Vogue,” Limsky says, “SFBW reflects South Florida’s increasingly sophisticated and dynamic business and cultural landscape.”

Limsky, an avid traveler, swimmer and film buff who holds a law degree and Ph.D. from New York University, likes to say, “I’m a doctor, but I can’t operate—except on your brand.” He wrote his dissertation on the nonfiction work of Joan Didion. Prior to that, Limsky received his B.A. in English, summa cum laude, from Emory University and earned his M.A. in literature at American University in connection with a Masters Scholar Award fellowship.

Limsky came to SFBW at the apex of a storied career in journalism and publishing that includes six previous lead editorial roles, including for some of the world’s best-known brands. He served as global editor-in-chief of Lexus magazine, founding editor-in-chief of custom lifestyle magazines for Cadillac and Holland America Line, and was the founding editor-in-chief of Modern Luxury Interiors South Florida. He also was the executive editor for B2B magazines for Acura and Honda Financial Services, and he served as travel editor for Conde Nast. Magazines under Limsky’s editorship have garnered more than 75 industry awards.

He has also written for many of the country’s top newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, Boston Globe, USA Today, Worth, Robb Report, Afar, Time Out New York, National Geographic Traveler, Men’s Journal, Ritz-Carlton, Elite Traveler, Florida Design, Metropolis and Architectural Digest Mexico. His other clients have included Four Seasons, Acqualina Resort & Residences, Yahoo!, American Airlines, Wynn, Douglas Elliman and Corcoran. As an adjunct assistant professor, Limsky has taught journalism, film and creative writing at the City University of New York, Pace University, American University and other colleges.