Edward D. Tarlow

Edward Tarlow is a tax, business, and estate planning attorney in Shipman’s Boston office. With decades of experience, he provides trusted counsel to business owners, families, and fiduciaries facing critical decisions about wealth transfer, corporate governance, and succession planning. Before becoming an attorney, he worked as a chemical engineer, giving him a methodical, detail-driven approach that clients appreciate when navigating complex financial and legal issues.

Ed’s practice centers on helping closely held businesses and high-net-worth families plan for growth and transition. He advises on ownership structures, succession planning, tax-efficient wealth transfers, and the design of governance systems that preserve family harmony while meeting business objectives. He also counsels fiduciaries and beneficiaries on trust administration and estate settlement, guiding them through valuation, compliance, and governance concerns.

Clients value his ability to anticipate challenges and prevent disputes. His work often involves developing family business strategies that integrate estate planning with business continuity, using shareholder agreements, trusts, and other structures to balance financial, legal, and personal priorities. He is known for creating plans that protect inheritances, minimize exposure to estate and gift taxes, and sustain businesses across generations.

In addition to his practice, Ed has made significant contributions to the estate planning and family business communities. He has taught courses in corporate taxation, business planning, and estate planning at New England School of Law and Suffolk University Law School. He has authored numerous articles on succession, family governance, and tax planning, and has been honored with awards recognizing his leadership, including Estate Planner of the Year by the Boston Estate Planning Council and the Regional Family Business Advocacy Award by the Family Business Association.

Clients trust Ed for his combination of legal depth, practical insight, and long-range perspective. He helps them preserve wealth, reduce risk, and achieve smooth business and family transitions, ensuring that legacies are secure for future generations.

Edward Tarlow was a founding member of Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, P.C. before joining Shipman.