John R. Thomas

Founding partner John R. Thomas served his clients faithfully until his retirement on January 31, 2016. As a Certified Specialist in Taxation Law as well as a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law, John concentrated his practice on taxation, business law, estate planning, and estate administration. John was repeatedly recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® for his work in Greenville in the areas of Tax Law, Trusts and Estates, and Employee Benefits Law. In 2014, he was ranked on the South Carolina Rising Stars list by Super Lawyers®, and Greenville Business Magazine© named him as one of the Legal Elite of the Upstate in 2014, 2015, and 2017.

Throughout his career, John played key leadership roles in the South Carolina Bar Association. He served as delegate for the Southeast Region Special Liaison Tax Committee, Chair of the Tax Law Section, Chairman of the Lawyer-Accountant Relationship Committee. John also participated in the Greenville County Bar Association, and he served as President of the Greenville Estate Planning Council from 1991-92. Additionally, he is a former Chairman of the South Carolina Estate Planning and Probate Law Specialization Advisory Board, member of the South Carolina Taxation Law Specialization Advisory Board, and member of the Greenville Tech Foundation Board of Directors and the Furman University Planned Giving Advisory Council. John is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and the American College of Tax Counsel and served as Chairman of the Greenville YMCA Endowment Board in 2005. SC Lawyer published John in 2002, and he co-authored Estate Planning in South Carolina, South Carolina Bar, CLE Division. He is a member of the editorial board of Local, State and Federal Tax Incentives for Conservation Easements. In addition to his practice, he is also a certified public accountant.