John D. Dadakis

John D. Dadakis is a Partner in the West Palm Beach office of Shutts & Bowen LLP, where he is a member of the Private Client Services practice group.

In his wealth planning practice, John is a strategic ally to executives, successful entrepreneurs in private business and managing directors and investors in venture capital, private equity and hedge funds.

He has served a national client base, developing and implementing wealth preservation strategies that serve their nuanced financial and social goals. John has broad experience and deep knowledge regarding the development and use of family mission statements and family constitutions. His wealth planning model is ideal for handling the needs of family and closely held business owners.

Credentials

Education

Fordham University School of Law, J.D., 1976
Johns Hopkins University, B.A., Behavioral Sciences, 1973

Bar Admissions

California
Florida
New York

Judicial Involvements

Probate proceedings for the Huguette Clark Estate
Estate accounting for the Estate of William P. Carey Estate

Professional and Civic

New York City Family Enterprise Center Inc., Board Member
American Bar Association Section of Real Property, Trust and Estate Law
Attorneys for Family-Held Enterprises Family Firm Institute
The Florida Bar
State Bar of California

News & Insights

Presentations

Panelist, “Navigating the Labyrinth: Trust Options for Ultra High Net Worth Individuals in Private Wealth Management,” Private Wealth Management Summit, Encore Boston Harbor, Everett, MA (June 10 – June 12, 2025).
Speaker, “Heading South: Changing Domicile to Reduce Your Taxes,” Webinar (May 11, 2021)
Roundtable Discussion, “A Critical Decision: Moving Your Domicile to Florida,” Palm Beach Global Financial Forum, Palm Beach, FL (April 10, 2019)
“Family Business Advantage,” David N. Deutsch & Company Camp David Conference (August 17, 2017)
“High-Profile Estate Lessons Learned (Empty Mansions),” AICPA Advanced Personal Financial Planning Conference (June 14, 2017)
“Anatomy of a Will Contest,” Chicago Estate Planning Council Luncheon (May 17, 2017)
“Estate Planning in an Age Where There is No Federal Estate Tax,” First Republic Investment Management Lunch and Learn (February 2, 2017)
“Developing Appreciative Inquiry, Ethical Wills, Heritage and Legacy Documents Reflecting Family Cultures,” NYCFEC's Diversity and Cultural Influences on NYC Families and their Enterprises, NYC Family Enterprise Center, New York, New York (December 6, 2016)
“Understanding Root Causes of Fiduciary Litigation,” Attorneys for Family-Held Enterprises (AFHE) 2016 Annual Conference, Washington, D.C. (April 21, 2016)
“Private Wealth US Forum,” Markets Group (April 6, 2016)

News & Speaking Engagements

"Mets’ Baty Will Have to Pay Taxes on New Car from Soto," Sportico (February 25, 2025)
"What’s Changed in 13 Years of Writing About the Wealthy," The New York Times (October 8, 2021)
"A Big Tax Break for Socially Responsible Investing," TheNew York Times (November 09, 2018)
"Epic Celebrity Estate Battles," The Financial Advisor (December 15, 2017)