Raul Salas, partner at Shutts & Bowen, died last month after a long fight with cancer.
Raul Salas, a longtime Shutts & Bowen partner, has died after a long and hard-fought battle with cancer.
Salas, who was 63, died Feb. 28, after having practiced at Shutts & Bowen for more than 30 years. He had a keen interest in international law and extensive experience in United States taxation. He traveled throughout Central and South America handling international business transactions. He was known for his professionalism and work ethic.
“He was so smart and so passionate about the clients he served, and a joy to work with on transactions,” said Patrick Murray, a consultant and international lawyer who worked with Salas at Shutts for more than 40 years. “Even when we would have a disagreement about the solution to a client’s problem, our friendship and respect for each other was so strong that we always laughed about it later.”
Born in Havana, Cuba, Raul emigrated with his family to New Jersey in 1960 before eventually settling in Miami in 1975. He graduated from Essex Catholic High School and earned his bachelor's degree in accounting in 1977 from Florida International University. He began his professional career as a CPA at Deloitte, Haskins & Sells, where he was a tax manager, and attended law school in the evening. He earned his law degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Miami in 1985. It was at law school that he met his wife, Aurora.
During the last few years, Salas's attitude and actions in the face of his illness demonstrated to everyone around him the true meaning of courage, faith, honesty, professionalism, and unselfishness, the firm said in a statement. He continued to work at Shutts’ Miami office until his final days.
He was a shining example of living life to the fullest, with grace and humility, the firm said.
Salas is survived by his wife Aurora; his sons Javier and Jorge; father Frank; and his siblings Frank Jr., Albert, Jimmy, Joe, Lucy and Mary.