Atty. John M. Sheftall
John Sheftall, a Partner in Hall Booth Smith’s Columbus offices, concentrates his practice in fiduciary law including estate planning, estate administration, and fiduciary litigation. He is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, serves as a Director of SunTrust Bank in Columbus, and is a former Trustee of the St.
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About John M. Sheftall at a glance
John M. Sheftall is a Partner based in Columbus, Georgia, practicing at Hall Booth Smith, P.C.. They have 43+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1983. Their practice focuses on trusts, estate planning, business, and litigation. Admitted to practice in Georgia (1983). Educated at University of Virginia (J.D., 1983) and University of Georgia (B.A. History, 1980). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Active member of : Director, President (former) •Port Columbus Civil War Naval Center: Member, Director (former) •Rotary Club of Columbus •Springer Opera House: Member, Director (former) •St and Francis Hospital Foundation: Trustee. Serands clients in Columbus, GA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- John Sheftall, a Partner in Hall Booth Smith’s Columbus offices, concentrates his practice in fiduciary law including estate planning, estate administration, and fiduciary litigation
- He is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, serves as a Director of SunTrust Bank in Columbus, and is a former Trustee of the St. Francis Hospital Foundation
- John was admitted to the Georgia State Bar in 1983
- He was born in Macon, Georgia, and received his Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, from the University of Georgia in 1980
- He went on to earn both his Juris Doctor and Master of Arts from the University of Virginia
- Prior to joining HBS, John practiced law in Columbus with Hatcher, Stubbs, Land, Hollis and Rothschild, LLP for over 21 years
- Before that, he practiced law in Atlanta where he was active in both the Fiduciary Section of the State Bar and the Atlanta Estate Planning Council
- He currently chairs both the Wills, Trusts, & Estate Administration and the Fiduciary Litigation practice groups for HBS
- John is passionate about local history, historic preservation, neighborhood revitalization, and community planning in Columbus
- He has served on a number of local and regional non-profit boards, including the Georgia Historical Society in Savannah, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation in Atlanta, and the Georgia Legal History Foundation
- He is Past President of Historic Columbus Foundation, Past Chairman of Historic Linwood Foundation, and Past President of MidTown, Inc., an organization responsible for the revitalization of older neighborhoods in Columbus
- He currently serves as a Director of the Historic Chattahoochee Commission
- John is active in the Rotary Club of Columbus and a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, where he has served at the parish level as a Vestry member and Senior Warden, as well as at the diocesan level as a delegate and task force member
- He has lectured widely at various fiduciary law seminars throughout Georgia, and speaks regularly before historical groups and organizations
- Experience Corporate & Partnership John’s corporate practice includes representation of many Columbus-area and Georgia businesses
- He is also involved in the banking and healthcare community, serving as a Director of SunTrust Bank in Columbus
- Fiduciary Litigation John concentrates his practice in fiduciary law including estate planning, estate administration, and fiduciary litigation
- He has been actively involved in the Fiduciary Section of the State Bar of Georgia and the Atlanta Estate Planning Council
- He has lectured frequently at fiduciary law seminars throughout Georgia
- Recognition •Top Lawyers, Trusts & Estates, GaBiz Magazine, 2026 •The Best Lawyers in America , Best Lawyers, 2024-2026 •Awarded in: Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Trusts and Estates •AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell •Georgia Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers, 2005-2022 •Lawyer of the Year, Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Columbus, GA
- Best Lawyers
- 2015, 2017, 2019 •Lawyer of the Year, Trusts and Estates, Columbus, GA
- Best Lawyers
- 2014 •fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel Presentations •Postmortem Planning with Disclaimers 60th Annual Estate Planning Institute
- Athens, Georgia
- 2015 •When Transfers of Property Involve Death and Taxes: A Probate Primer for Real Estate Practitioners Residential Real Estate Conference
- Atlanta, Georgia
- 2013 •Postmortem Planning with Disclaimers Georgia Federal Tax Conference
- Atlanta, Georgia
- 2011 •Statutory Modifications: How and How Hard 56th Annual Estate Planning Institute
- Athens, Georgia
- 2011 •When to Hold Them, When to Fold Them: The Charms and Challenges of a Fiduciary Litigation Practice Fiduciary Law Institute, St. Simons, Georgia, 2008 •Negotiating the Probate Court: Procedures and Pitfalls in a Fiduciary Practice Fiduciary Law Institute, St. Simons, Georgia, 2006 •Program Chair 46th Annual Estate Planning Institute, Athens, Georgia, 2001 •Re-Examining the Bottom Line: Commissions, Fees and Compensation for Fiduciaries and Their Attorneys Fiduciary Law Institute, St. Simons, Georgia, 1999 •Multi-Generational Estate Planning Columbus State University, 4th Annual Retirement and Estate Planning Seminar, Columbus, Georgia, 1998 •Practical Uses of Charitable Remainder Trusts Columbus State University, Creative (But Practical) Techniques for Effective Retirement and Estate Planning, Columbus, Georgia, 1997 •Estate Planning Options Involving Retirement Funds Columbus State University, Retirement Planning to Maximize Benefits for the Retiree and Other Family Members, Columbus, Georgia, 1996 •Use of Wills, Trusts and Other Transfer Techniques Columbus College, Planning for Retirement and the Transfer of Wealth to the Next Generation, Columbus, Georgia, 1995 •Special Issues in Trust Drafting: Retained Powers and Removal Powers 40th Annual Estate Planning Institute, Athens, Georgia, 1995 •Planning for Disability Basic Fiduciary Practice, Atlanta, Georgia, 1992-1993 •Georgia’s New Rule Against Perpetuities Fiduciary Law Institute, St. Simons, Georgia, 1990 •Probate and Estate Administration Bridge the Gap, Athens, Georgia, 1989 & 1991 •The Marital Deduction: Drafting and Funding with Individuals in Mind and an Assessment of the Unlimited Marital Deduction Enacted in 1981 32nd Estate Planning Institute, Athens, Georgia, 1987 In the Press 27 HBS Partners Recognized as 2026 Top Lawyers by GaBiz Magazine January 29, 2026 Hall Booth Smith is pleased to announce that 27 of the firm’s partners have been recognized as 2026 “Top Lawyers” by GaBiz Magazine in its Winter issue
Practice Areas Explained
John M. Sheftall's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases John M. Sheftall handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
John M. Sheftall is one of 104,171 trusts attorneys indexed nationally. Browse trusts attorneys in Georgia →
An estate planning attorney prepares wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives to protect your family and pass on your assets.
John M. Sheftall is one of 226,536 estate planning attorneys indexed nationally. Browse estate planning attorneys in Georgia →
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
John M. Sheftall is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Georgia →
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
John M. Sheftall is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Georgia →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Georgia
Practicing law in Georgia. Legal matters in Georgia are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Columbus are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Georgia state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Georgia brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Georgia courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Georgia attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Columbus or all attorneys in Georgia.
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