John R. Thomas proudly served clients until his retirement on January 31, 2016.  He holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law and a Master of Laws in Taxation from Emory University.  John has been a recipient of various awards, including numerous Best Lawyers in America distinctions in practice areas ranging from corporate law and employee benefits to tax law and non-profit/charities law.

John participated in various professional organizations, such as the South Carolina Bar, the Greenville County Bar Association, and the South Carolina Taxation Law Specialization Advisory Board.  He was also a member of the Greenville Downtown Rotary Club.  John was a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) and a Fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel (ACTC).

Educational Background:
Emory University School of Law, Master of Laws in Taxation

University of South Carolina School of Law, Juris Doctor (cum laude)

• South Carolina Law Review
• Order of Wig and Robe
• Phi Alpha Delta

Furman University, B.A.

Honors:

• Best Lawyers in America, Tax Law
• Best Lawyers in America, Trusts and Estates
• South Carolina Rising Stars list by Super Lawyers® (2014)
• Legal Elite of the Upstate 2017, Greenville Business Magazine (Tax & Estate)
• Legal Elite of the Upstate 2015, Greenville Business Magazine (Estate & Trust Law)
• Legal Elite of the Upstate 2014, Greenville Business Magazine (Estate & Trust Law)

Professional Organizations:
South Carolina Bar

• Tax Law Section (Chair, 1993-1994)
• Estate Planning and Probate Law Section
• Delegate, Southeast Region Special Liaison Tax Committee (1987-1989)
• Chairman, Lawyer-Accountant Relationship Committee (1995-1996)

Greenville County Bar Association
Greenville Estate Planning Council (President, 1991-1992)
American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), Fellow
American College of Tax Counsel (ACTC), Fellow
South Carolina Taxation Law Specialization Advisory Board (Past Member, Chair, 2009-2010)
South Carolina Estate Planning and Probate Law Specialization Advisory Board (Past Member, Chair 1990)
U.S. Tax Court, 1973
U.S. District Court (South Carolina) and U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, 1976
U.S. Supreme Court, 1978

Professional Publications:
Estate Planning in South Carolina, South Carolina Bar, CLE Division (Co-Author, 2002)
Local, State and Federal Tax Incentives for Conservation Easements(2nd ed.) (Editorial Board Member)

Community Organizations:
Greenville Downtown Rotary Club

Bar Admissions:
South Carolina