Phelps Dunbar LLP

201 Best Lawyers awards

Phelps Dunbar LLP logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law Litigation - Trusts and Estates Nonprofit / Charities Law Tax Law Trusts and Estates

Biography

Tom Garth practices in the areas of taxation, corporate and estate tax, estate planning, qualified retirement plan, corporate, mergers and acquisitions, foreign tax planning, securities, and health care. He has practiced before Probate Courts, State Courts, U. S. District Courts, and Tax Courts. Mr. Garth regularly represents clients in the formation of family limited partnerships, LLCs, grantor retained annuity trusts, grantor trusts and other leveraged estate planning opportunities. In addition, he regularly assists clients with estate tax return audits and handles large-scale IRS disputes.

Mr. Garth has been a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel since 1989. Mr. Garth is the practice coordinator of the business group in the Mobile office. He was with Lyons, Pipes & Cook in Mobile before the firm joined Phelps Dunbar. He was an officer in the U.S. Navy from 1970-71, where he was stationed on the U.S.S. Lexington, CVT-16.

Mr. Garth serves as the regional practice coordinator of Phelps Dunbar's business group.
Phelps Dunbar LLP

201 Best Lawyers awards

Phelps Dunbar LLP logo

Overview

  • Samford University, J.D., graduated 1974
  • University of Virginia, BA, graduated 1970

  • Alabama, Alabama State Bar

  • Alabama Bar Institute for Continuing Legal Education - Member
  • Alabama Federal Tax Clinic - Member
  • Alabama State Bar - Member
  • American College of Trust and Estate Counsel - Member
  • Mobile Estate Planning Council - Member
  • Alabama, Alabama State Bar
  • Alabama Bar Institute for Continuing Legal Education - Member
  • Alabama Federal Tax Clinic - Member
  • Alabama State Bar - Member
  • American College of Trust and Estate Counsel - Member
  • Mobile Estate Planning Council - Member
  • Samford University, J.D., graduated 1974
  • University of Virginia, BA, graduated 1970

Client Testimonials

Tom is very knowledgeable in the technical aspects of the law, but also has tremendous judgment in navigating negotiations and recommending strategic decisions. Most of our strategic business decisions are vetted through Tom before we proceed. He is a partner in the success of our company.

Jeb Shell (Hargrove & Associates, Inc.)

Mobile, AL

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Tax Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2015 - Tax Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2013 - Litigation - Trusts and Estates
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Tax Law, Mobile (2025)
  • Tax Law, Mobile (2015)
  • Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Mobile (2013)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
  • Litigation - Trusts and Estates
  • Nonprofit / Charities Law
  • Tax Law
  • Trusts and Estates
Special Focus:
  • Corporate
  • Estate Planning
  • Income Tax
  • Nonprofit Organizations and Charitable Giving
Awards:
  • The Best Lawyers in America
  • Alabama Super Lawyers
  • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale Hubbell

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