About Thomas S. Shigo
Thomas S. Shigo Jr. combines scientific training and advanced tax study in a legal career that centers on tax and related fields. He earned a B.S. in chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh in 1982. He returned to school for law at the University of Florida, obtaining his J.D. in 1994 and later completing an LL.M. in Taxation at the same institution in 2005. Those credentials shape the questions he asks and the work he accepts.
His background in chemistry gives him a methodical approach to problem solving. The law degrees added layers of doctrinal and procedural knowledge. Over the years he has practiced in Florida, handling matters that draw on both technical and legal analysis. He has worked with individuals and businesses on tax-related issues and on planning that touches taxes, estates and business concerns.
Shigo’s professional path has stayed rooted in north-central Florida. He maintains offices in Gainesville and Ocala, and much of his client work reflects the needs of that region. His practice includes counseling clients on federal and state tax obligations, advising on tax aspects of business transactions, and assisting with estate and inheritance matters. He also helps clients understand the practical consequences of tax rules when assessing choices for asset transfers, succession planning and corporate structures.
Colleagues describe his approach as analytical and steady. He favors clear explanations over jargon. When a case or a transaction requires numbers, he takes care to walk clients through the calculations and the legal principles that govern them. When deadlines loom, he prioritizes procedural work to preserve rights and options.
Outside of the office, Shigo’s academic work — particularly the LL.M. in Taxation — informs how he reviews complex issues. He uses that training to spot tax pitfalls and to evaluate alternative approaches to achieving client goals. He has represented clients on planning matters and in navigating compliance questions. His experience spans both advisory and problem-solving roles rather than courtroom litigation.
As of 2026 he practices in Gainesville and Ocala, providing counsel on tax, estate and business matters that require technical detail and practical planning.
