Dynasty Financial Partners, a premier provider of technology-enabled wealth management solutions, has appointed Shawn Shook as General Counsel to bolster its legal strategy and support advisor transitions. Based in St. Petersburg, Florida, Shook will report to CEO Shirl Penney, succeeding Jonathan Morris, who transitions to Executive in Residence after 12 years as General Counsel. This strategic hire underscores Dynasty’s commitment to empowering independent financial advisors through robust legal and regulatory support.
Shawn Shook appointed General Counsel at Dynasty Financial Partners.
Shook brings over a decade of financial services legal expertise.
Focus includes advisor transitions, M&A, and regulatory compliance.
Succeeds Jonathan Morris, now Executive in Residence at Dynasty.
Shook to support Dynasty’s 57 Network partner firms’ growth.
Appointment strengthens Dynasty’s legal infrastructure for advisors.
Dynasty Financial Partners announced Shawn Shook’s appointment as General Counsel, a move aimed at enhancing its legal framework to support its growing network of independent advisors. “I’d like to thank Jon Morris for his incredible guidance and contribution as our general counsel over the past 12 years,” said Shirl Penney, CEO of Dynasty. “I’m thrilled Jon is continuing on with Dynasty as counsel to the firm and as our newest Executive in Residence.” Morris expressed pride in his tenure, stating, “It’s been an honor to work at Dynasty from its early days to the present and to be part of all that we have accomplished in support of the independent movement.”
Shook brings over ten years of legal experience in the financial services industry, specializing in advisor transitions, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and regulatory compliance. Previously, he served as Vice President, Associate General Counsel at Kestra Financial, where he led legal due diligence and negotiated transaction documentation for acquisitions. At Edelman Financial Engines, he handled M&A, commercial agreements, and advisor onboarding. “Shawn brings valuable experience that strengthens our legal team as we continue to grow,” said Penney. “His judgment and insight will help us continue to support independent advisors as they build their businesses.”
In his new role, Shook will oversee Dynasty’s legal strategy, providing guidance on corporate initiatives and supporting its 57 Network partner firms with regulatory, transactional, and compliance matters. “I’m excited to join a firm that’s clearly focused on helping advisors succeed,” said Shook. “Dynasty offers the right mix of resources, expertise, and strategic vision to support advisors in today’s complex legal and regulatory environment.” His expertise in restrictive covenants and advisor transition planning aligns with Dynasty’s mission to facilitate advisors’ shift to independence.
Shook’s appointment reinforces Dynasty’s dedication to creating a legal infrastructure that meets the evolving needs of independent wealth management firms. With a J.D. from George Mason University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Shook’s background equips him to navigate the complex regulatory landscape. His prior roles at Levine, Daniels & Allnutt and clerkships with Fiore & Levine and Abrams Landau further enhance his ability to provide practical counsel to Dynasty’s network.
Dynasty Financial Partners’ appointment of Shawn Shook as General Counsel positions the firm to continue its leadership in the independent wealth management space. By leveraging Shook’s expertise, Dynasty aims to empower its advisors to scale their businesses while navigating regulatory complexities, ensuring sustained growth and client-focused service.
Dynasty is a provider of technology-enabled wealth management solutions and business services for financial advisory firms primarily focused on serving high net worth and ultra-high net worth clients. Dynasty provides access to a comprehensive platform of software and technology tools, business services, and holistic investment management capabilities through an open-architecture platform delivered via a suite of proprietary and third-party technologies. Dynasty’s technology, tools, and services provide advisory firms the supported independence to launch their business, scale their operations, and grow their firms — both organically and inorganically — while also allowing them to be more focused on and better equipped to serve their clients.
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