Ken Shigley is a seventh generation Georgian and the immediate past president of the State Bar of Georgia, which includes all attorneys licensed to practice in Georgia. Upon conclusion of his term as State Bar president in 2012, the Georgia Judicial Nominating Commission put him on the short list submitted to the Governor to consider for appointment to the Georgia Court of Appeals. 


Mr. Shigley is one of only 18 Georgia lawyers who have earned double board certification in Civil Trial Advocacy and Civil Pretrial Advocacy from the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification. Peer review ratings include an “AV” (highest) rating in the Martindale Hubbell Law Directory, “Super Lawyer” rating in Atlanta Magazine, “Legal Elite” ranking in Georgia Trend magazine, “Who’s Who in Law” listing in Atlanta Business Chronicle, and inclusion in the Bar Register or Preeminent Lawyers. 

In addition, he is the lead author of Georgia Law of Torts: Trial Preparation & Practice (West, 2010-12).  

In the American Association for Justice, he is currently secretary of the Motor Vehicle, Highway & Premises Liability Section and a board member of the Trucking Litigation Group.

Representative Cases: All cases are different, and past performance does not guarantee future results, but here are a few representative cases.

• Obtained confidential seven figure settlement against auto manufacturer where defective design of anti-lock brake system led to crash of minivan, resulting in quadriplegia and death.
• Obtained confidential seven figure settlement against manufacturer of sports utility vehicle where defective design of passenger restraint system and roof led to quadriplegia.
• Served as co-counsel in automotive products liability case resulting in $6 million jury verdict for defect that led to passenger ejection in rollover.
• Represented 10 of 33 members a college baseball team injured in a bus crash, with a total of $25 million apportioned among 33 plaintiffs on an agreed formula.
• Made joint damages presentation for group of college of cheerleaders who recovered total of $9.3 million in crash caused by failure of tire on college van, apportioned among 13 plaintiffs on an agreed formula.
• Won $2.3 million jury verdict in rural Georgia county for client who suffered complex leg fracture in head on collision with truck operated for interstate motor carrier.
• Won $1.2 million jury verdict in Fulton County for woman with head and neck injuries who had consumed cocaine and tequila with the driver of sports car in which she was a passenger.
• Obtained $1.3 million settlement – $300,000 above insurance policy limits -- for family of young man killed when rear-ended by tractor trailer on interstate at night
• Recovered million dollar policy limit in wrongful death case against small trucking company.
• Recovered $850,000 settlement during trial for neck fusion injury for man struck by dump truck.
• Recovered $750,000 for airline passenger who suffered ankle fracture when struck by motorized cart in airport terminal concourse.
  

Mr. Shigley began his career as an Assistant District Attorney in a four county rural circuit, then spent several years in small town general practice and a decade in an insurance defense law firm in Atlanta. For over two decades, he has focused on plaintiffs’ personal injury and wrongful death cases, insurance coverage disputes, and occasional service as a mediator or arbitrator.

A graduate of Furman University and Emory University Law School, he also completed the National College of Advocacy trial advocacy course at Harvard Law School and an executive education program at Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

In conjunction with his service to the State Bar of Georgia, Mr. Shigley served on the Special Council on Criminal Justice Reform by appointment of Governor Nathan Deal, Commission on Continuing Lawyer Competency, Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism, Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution, Georgia Courts Automation Commission, National Conference of Bar Presidents, Southern Conference of Bar Presidents, the American Bar Association House of Delegates. Currently he is chair of the board of trustees of the Institute for Continuing Legal Education in Georgia.

Mr. Shigley and his wife have two young adult children. He has served as an elder at  Peachtree Presbyterian Church, assistant scoutmaster of Boy Scout troop, youth soccer coach, board chair of child development center, board member of a Christian counseling center and the Bill Maness Good Samaritan Scholarship Fund, Inc., and on the national advisory board of the Children's Tumor Foundation Endurance Team.