James W. Shaw

Areas of Focus

• Estate Planning
• Estate Administration
• Tax Law

Work

Jim Shaw’s practice focuses on advising clients in estate planning and related matters including tax planning, probate avoidance, business succession planning, and gift planning.

As a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning by the Supreme Court of South Carolina, he works with high net worth clients, including business owners and professionals, to create tax-efficient estate plans including creating revocable and irrevocable trusts of varied types to minimize or eliminate estate and gift taxes.

Throughout his career Jim has worked with or represented business owners, professionals and other high net worth individuals, and has enjoyed working with multiple generations in family wealth planning and business succession planning.

A significant portion of his practice includes estate administration work and guiding families through this process. This includes preparing Federal estate tax returns and all related documents.

In addition to his estate planning work, Jim also advises business owners and key executives on transactional matters, including the purchase or sale of a closely –held business, business related agreements, employment agreements, business succession planning, and related matters.

He served as outside General Counsel to The Spartanburg County Foundation from 2003-2017.

Bar Admissions

South Carolina, 1977

Education

Emory University, LL.M in Taxation, 1985
University of South Carolina, J.D., 1977
University of North Carolina, B.A., 1974

Professional Memberships and Achievements

Certified Specialist, Estate Planning and Probate Law, The Supreme Court of South Carolina
South Carolina Estate Planning and Probate Specialization Advisory Board, Board Member, 2004-2007
Listed, Best Lawyers in America, Trusts and Estates, 2006 to present
Listed, South Carolina Super Lawyers, Estate Planning and Probate, 2010 to present
Law Clerk, Associate Justice Bruce Littlejohn, South Carolina Supreme Court, 1977-1978
Estate Planning Council of Spartanburg

Civic and Community Involvement

First Presbyterian Church, past Elder
Member, First Citizens Bank local advisory board