St. Simons Island · Glynn County, Georgia
Thomas & Thaw is a general practice firm rooted in the Golden Isles, serving clients across litigation, business law, and real estate.
Who We Are
Thomas & Thaw was founded on a simple idea: that clients in the Golden Isles deserve the same quality of legal representation as those in any major city — delivered by lawyers who actually know this place, its people, and its courts.
Both partners are multi-generational Glynn County natives. This is not a firm that relocated here; it is a firm that grew here. That distinction shows up every day — in the relationships we have built in the local legal community, the courthouses we know, and the personal stake we bring to every client we serve.
We handle the full range of legal matters affecting individuals, families, and businesses on St. Simons Island and throughout coastal Georgia. Whether you are navigating a complex lawsuit, structuring a business, or closing on property, we bring serious legal ability to every matter we take on.
What We Do
We handle the matters that matter most to people who live and do business on the Georgia coast.
We represent individuals and businesses in courts throughout Georgia — from Magistrate Court to the United States District Court for the Southern District. Our attorneys have tried and litigated cases of all kinds, with the courtroom experience and preparation that serious matters demand.
We counsel business owners and entrepreneurs throughout the Golden Isles and coastal Georgia on the legal questions that arise at every stage — from formation to operations, contracts, and disputes. Our attorneys bring real-world business experience alongside legal expertise.
We guide buyers, sellers, investors, and developers through real estate transactions throughout the Golden Isles. Our attorneys have personally acquired and managed investment properties in this market, giving clients an advisor who understands coastal Georgia real estate from the inside.
The Firm
Two lawyers. Deep roots. A shared commitment to the Golden Isles.
Waite Thomas is a partner at Thomas & Thaw and a multi-generational Glynn County native. He handles all areas of civil litigation — including personal injury, government liability, and commercial disputes — as well as real estate, bringing nearly a decade of courtroom experience alongside the personal attention that comes from practicing in the community he calls home.
Waite has litigated cases at all levels in Magistrate, State, Superior, and Federal Courts throughout Georgia. He was involved in litigation arising from the Golden Ray — the cargo vessel that capsized in St. Simons Sound in 2019, one of the most significant maritime disasters in Georgia history — and has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of clients in government liability cases, holding public entities accountable for the harm they cause.
In addition to his litigation practice, Waite regularly counsels buyers, sellers, and investors in real estate transactions throughout the Golden Isles, drawing on years of personally acquiring and managing investment properties in the local market.
Waite began his legal career clerking for the Honorable James Graham, United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Georgia. He earned his J.D., cum laude, from Mercer University's Walter F. George School of Law, graduating in the top twenty percent of his class.
Jay Thaw is a partner at Thomas & Thaw and a multi-generational Glynn County native. His practice is defined by a pragmatic, business-oriented approach that blends transactional strategy with litigation experience, allowing him to guide clients from formation through dispute resolution.
Jay represents clients across a broad range of business matters, including entity formation, corporate governance, operating agreements, and complex commercial transactions. He regularly advises entrepreneurs, closely held companies, and professional organizations on structuring deals, managing risk, and navigating regulatory requirements. His background as in-house general counsel and chief strategy officer for a technology company gives him a perspective on legal strategy that goes well beyond the typical law firm.
Jay maintains an active litigation practice as well, representing clients in commercial disputes, professional liability matters, regulatory conflicts, and property litigation — including constitutional challenges to municipal regulation, defamation claims, quiet title actions, and complex business conflicts across Georgia's courts.
His real estate practice draws on both legal experience and an academic background in real estate, advising clients on acquisitions, dispositions, development issues, title disputes, and land use matters throughout coastal Georgia.
Our Home
St. Simons Island is not just where we practice — it is where our families have lived for generations. Both partners are multi-generational Glynn County natives who grew up in this community, know its people, and have a personal stake in its future.
That depth of connection translates into real advantages for clients. We know the judges and the rhythms of practice in Brunswick and Glynn County. We understand coastal Georgia real estate from the inside — as owners and investors ourselves, not just as attorneys. We are engaged in the community year-round through civic and nonprofit work, not just because we practice here but because we live here.
When a client calls Thomas & Thaw, they are talking to a lawyer whose roots here run just as deep as their own. That is what it means to have true local counsel — and why it matters.
"We know the courts, the market, and the community — because this is our home too."Thomas & Thaw | St. Simons Island, Georgia
Insights
Practical guidance on Georgia real estate, probate, and litigation — written for the people who actually live with these issues.
Tax deed investing can be an attractive way to acquire real estate at a discount in Georgia — but the process is far more complex than showing up at a county auction with a cashier's check. A practical walkthrough of Georgia's tax deed process, from due diligence to quiet title.
Read the articleGrandma passed away years ago, no one opened probate, and now you need to sell the property or clear title. Georgia law allows late probate — but the longer you wait, the trickier it gets. Here's how to sort it out.
Read the articleReach Us
We welcome inquiries from individuals and businesses throughout coastal Georgia. If you have a legal matter you would like to discuss, please reach out directly by phone. We are happy to talk through your situation and help you understand your options.
Disclaimer: The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Please contact us directly to discuss your specific legal matter.