ALUMNI HIGHLIGHT: SHAWVER ADAMS '14

For most people, a normal day in the office might consist of responding to emails or meeting with clients. Yet for Shawver Adams ‘14, he finds himself serving international taxpayers as an attorney for the Internal Revenue Service in the Office of Chief Counsel in Washington, D.C., on a daily basis.

While it may seem that Shawver always wanted to be a lawyer, upon graduating from Tattnall, he thought he might take a different career path. “I didn’t always want to be a lawyer. When I went to college, I wanted to be a pilot in the Navy, but at the time, the Navy prioritized engineering students. I always found math and science to be difficult subjects, so I decided to pursue a career that suited my academic strengths in reading and writing.”

That pursuit ultimately led to Shawver considering the field of law. He found that he has a passion for learning about the constitutional origins of the American government. In addition, Shawver enjoys learning how the constitution's text affects modern-day governmental actions.

“I decided to become a lawyer partially because it allows me to craft arguments as part of my job. On the other hand, I always knew I wanted a career that would allow me to help others tangibly. The legal profession is a service profession, and there are countless ways to positively impact the lives of others. That’s really what made becoming a lawyer so attractive.”

That is not to say there are not challenges in Shawver’s job. “Formulating policy is the most difficult part of my job. A large portion of the work I do is drafting and publishing guidance to help taxpayers to meet their obligations, but sometimes, unintentionally, it becomes more difficult to meet those obligations… We do the best we can to make it as easy as possible for taxpayers to comply, but the tax code has become increasingly complex over the years. There’s not always a simple fix for issues that arise throughout the published guidance creation process.”

Even with those challenges, he finds great reward in his work. “I’m inspired by getting to serve American taxpayers on a daily basis. Working for the government has also allowed me to take on high-level projects early in my career that would likely be given to senior attorneys if I worked for a private practice. The difficulty and importance of these projects drive me to ensure that I produce the best work product possible so that the tax code is administered uniformly and fairly.”

Shawver does have advice for anyone considering a career in law, particularly that one should not decide to become a lawyer overnight. “The steps it takes to become a lawyer (i.e., the LSAT, law school, and the bar exam) are extremely difficult. If you’re unsure whether you want to become a lawyer, you’ll be miserable during this process.”

If you have the opportunity, Shawver advises prospective law students to observe law classes, shadow or intern at a law firm, and network while in college. That way, you will not enter law school “blind” and not knowing what to expect. He also advises all students not to stress too much about becoming a master of their craft as a student, “The skills for just about any job can be learned… These [skills] won’t make or break you. Focus on developing qualities that can’t be taught - having a positive attitude, working hard, and treating others with kindness and respect. The rest will take care of itself.”

What’s next for Shawver? Well, professionally, he plans on continuing to provide guidance and input regarding information released by the IRS. That is not all Shawver is expecting to accomplish in the new year; he and his wife Hannah will also welcome a daughter in April.

“I will miss Wednesday chapel services, Mrs. Cheek's morning devotions, and hanging out in the front office.”

“I’ll miss the friends I've made along the way, the teachers who have been so helpful, and the memories that I'll cherish forever.”

“I'll miss the supportive coaches, to football and basketball student sections, to the feeling of family. Tattnall has this environment that I will always look for wherever I go. I'll cherish my years at Tattnall and the friends I made here.”

“I will miss the family-like environment, the teachers that care about you, and playing football on Friday nights.”

“The aspect of Tattnall that I'll miss the most is definitely the friends that I have made over the years. I'll also miss the teachers that have made such an impact in my life.”

“I'll miss the teachers that have helped me here at TSA.”

“The relationships that I have built at Tattnall are absolutely unforgettable. I am going to miss every face that I see in the hallways because they are truly my family.”

"I'll miss the friends and family that you're surrounded by at Tattnall.”

“I'll miss the tight-knit community and family that Tattnall offers.”

“I'm going to miss playing basketball and football with my friends that became brothers. I'll also miss senior lunches with friends.”

“I will miss spending quality time with my grade. Tattnall truly has been my home away from home, and since growing up here, I have made lasting memories with my peers and faculty members.”

“I will miss leading my small group on Wednesdays during chapel time.”

“I'll miss the opportunity to spend time with my classmates and friends every day. I'll also miss playing soccer. I'm truly grateful for the friendships that Tattnall has given me.”

"I'll miss the family aspect of TSA and how personable the teachers are. They truly love and care for every single student.”

“Tattnall has been a second home for me for the past ten years. I'll miss the family that I've built here the most.”

“I'll miss the Class of 2022, and the sense of community that Tattnall creates.”