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Emory University Law School

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Ken Shigley earned his J.D. (Doctor of Law) degree in 1977 at Emory Law School. He served from 1998 to 2008 as a faculty member of the award-winning Trial Techniques Program for second year students, and later was an adjunct instructor of a class in small firm practice. He is also a Master of the Lamar Inn of Court, which is based at Emory.

Emory Law School admission is selective. For the class entering in  2017, only 238 new students were enrolled from an applicant pool of 4,117. 

For whatever numerical rankings in national magazines may be worth, if anything, Emory is the top rated university and top rated law school in Georgia. Emory Law School ranks #26 among American law schools in U. S News, and #18 in LawSchool100.com. Overall, U.S. News ranks Emory University #21 among national universities.

Emory has become terribly expensive and student debt has become a crushing burden on new law graduates. When asked for advice by young Georgians aspiring to enter the legal profession, he suggests the part-time program at Georgia State University Law School as a more cost-effective, practical alternative, especially for those who plan to practice in Georgia.


Ken Shigley is a graduate of Furman University and Emory University Law SchoolHe is a 2019 recipient of the “Tradition of Excellence” Award from the State Bar of Georgia General Practice & Trial Section.

Mr. Shigley has earned three national board certifications from the National Board of Trial Advocacy – in Civil Trial Law, Civil Practice Law and Truck Accident LawHe is a board member of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys, former chair of the American Association for Justice Motor Vehicle Collision, Highway & Premises Liability Section, which includes the Trucking Litigation Group. 

He is lead author of Georgia Law of Torts: Trial Preparation and Practice, now in its tenth annual edition with Thomson Reuters West. His law practice is focused on catastrophic injury and wrongful death including those arising from commercial trucking accidents and those involving brainneckbackspinal cordamputation and burn injuries. 

In 2011-12, Mr. Shigley was president of the State  Bar of Georgia, which includes all the lawyers and judges in Georgia.  He also is a former chair of the Institute for Legal Education in Georgia (board member 2008-2019, chair 2012-13),  State Bar of Georgia Tort & Insurance Practice Section (1994-95), and the Georgia Insurance Law Institute (1994). 

A former prosecutor and former insurance defense lawyer, Mr. Shigley is a widower,  father of two adult children, and an elder in his church.

Client Reviews
★★★★★
"Goes above and beyond and is a mountain of knowledge on spine and brain injuries. He does his research and represents you with a level of excellence. Remains a friend after representing me." Dee M., Woodstock, GA
★★★★★
"I have collaborated with Mr. Shigley on several initiatives within Georgia’s Judiciary over the past few years and found him to be a persistent and attentive individual. Ken has taken great pride in his involvement with the projects that I have worked on and he is good at influencing success. Despite his hectic schedule, Ken has always made time to discuss, research and review ideas for the best way to accomplish goals. I look forward to a continued working relationship in this and future roles." Jorge B., CIO, Judicial Council of Georgia
★★★★★
"After having to have a hole drilled in an automobile part at a machine shop 10 years ago, I told my uncle I could have done that. My uncle replied, "You are doing this once these guys do it every day" That simply means if you don't know where to turn, get help and get an expert. Ken was that help when I was severely injured during a fatal accident. Ken and his team at Shigley Law are experts, and are here to help you during your crisis. Ken will be there during the injury, recovery, and trial. He and his firm will work hard to see that you are represented fairly!" Jeremy R.
★★★★★
"Ken is a very kind man. He has a wealth of knowledge and is going above and beyond to help us while representing our case." Candy F., spouse of catastrophic injury client, Plains, GA
★★★★★
"I know Ken as trial lawyer of highest standards. Ken is knowledgeable and innovative and that translates to success in the courtroom. He is outgoing, compassionate and personable which makes him a pleasure to work with in any setting." Eric B., Attorney, Canton, GA