For nearly three decades, we’ve helped clients navigate complex legal issues with strength and compassion.
Today, our focus is on protecting families, legacies, and identities through thoughtful estate planning in Florida and New York.
After years of winning precedent-setting cases in high-stakes litigation, Tom now brings that same fierce advocacy to protecting your family and legacy.
We understand the unique legal challenges and emotional realities of LGBTQ+ families because we’ve lived them. Your story matters here.
Many of our clients split time between Florida and New York. We design estate plans that work seamlessly in both.
Clients often come to us feeling unsure, overwhelmed, or even burned by past experiences. We listen, guide, and never talk over you.
After graduating from State University of New York, Cortland College, Tom Shanahan began his career at the CBS Television Network. From there, he worked in government for numerous elected officials, including New York City Mayor David Dinkins, Public Advocate Mark Green, and New York State Governors Spitzer and Paterson. He has served as a Judicial Delegate and was elected District Leader in Midtown Manhattan in 2018. He has been actively involved in civic and community affairs for most of his life and serves on the board of numerous not-for-profit organizations.
Tom has been practicing law since 1997 and is admitted in New York State, Florida, and all federal courts in those states. He maintains a law office in Midtown Manhattan in New York City and in Wilton Manors in Florida. Tom is “of counsel” to Trantalis & Associates, a well-respected Fort Lauderdale area firm specializing in Wills, Trusts, and Estates. Tom’s passion for estate planning arose over a fifteen-year period during which he became a caregiver and the primary advocate for two family members. He realized how families and individual lives can be damaged when a loved one fails to properly plan for the future. He is committed to helping traditional and non-traditional families develop an estate plan that protects their interests both in the present and in the years to come.
Tom is a member of the Elder Law Litigation Section Committee and Elder Law & Estate Planning Committee of the Florida Bar. He is also a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), a Graduate of the Elder Law College (2025), and a member of Wealth Counsel. Tom has also completed advanced estate‑planning training through a national program.
For more than two decades, Tom litigated civil rights, employment and other commercial disputes. He has numerous precedent setting court decisions, including from the New York State Court of Appeals (the highest Court in New York) and United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. He has received numerous awards and honors for his advocacy, including the Holding Power Accountable Award given to him by Common Cause in 2002, proclamation citing his outstanding advocacy by the New York City Council in 2004, and the IMPACT Award given to him by the Gay City News in 2023 for his decades of advocacy on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community.
Although Tom still litigates to a limited extent and maintains business and corporate clients, his practice is primarily geared towards wills, trusts, estates, and assisting clients with elder law planning. He lives in Hell’s Kitchen in New York City and Fort Lauderdale in Florida.
Ignatius is a Paralegal for Wills, Trusts, and Elder Law at Thomas D. Shanahan, P.A., where he assists clients with estate planning, probate, and estate administration matters. In his role, he helps organize and prepare essential documents, keeps matters moving forward, and ensures clients understand what to expect throughout each step of the process.
With seven years of paralegal experience and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences with a focus on Political Science, Philosophy, and Economics, Ignatius brings both knowledge and care to his work. He understands that estate planning and probate can involve some of life’s most personal decisions and difficult transitions, and he is committed to helping clients feel informed, respected, and supported.
Ignatius is especially passionate about making the legal process feel less overwhelming. Many clients come to the firm feeling unsure about legal terminology, deadlines, and unfamiliar procedures. Ignatius strives to provide clear explanations, organized guidance, and steady communication so clients always know where things stand and what comes next.
Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, Ignatius brings a thoughtful perspective to the way he connects with people and approaches his work. He is driven by empathy, clarity, reliability, and attention to detail, and he takes pride in being a steady and approachable source of support for clients and their families.
One of the most meaningful parts of his work is helping families who feel overwhelmed at the beginning of the probate process. For Ignatius, a successful client experience is one where a family begins the process feeling uncertain, but over time feels informed, supported, and reassured.
Outside of work, Ignatius enjoys running, reading, spending time outdoors, and being with family and friends. He is also involved in his community through church programs focused on supporting the sick and elderly.
His favorite quote is, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel,” commonly attributed to Maya Angelou.
Nicolas Amaya is a Paralegal who supports the firm by managing case workflows, conducting legal research, organizing discovery and evidence, and drafting legal documents under the supervision of a licensed attorney. His work includes assisting with pleadings, motions, contracts, and other documents that help move legal matters forward with care and attention to detail.
Nicolas has worked in legal roles since 2014, beginning his career at age 18 while attending law school. Over the years, he has gained experience in legal research, document drafting, evidence discovery, litigation support, case management, and client intake. After graduating, he worked as a Junior Associate, practiced litigation, co-ran a solo practice for nearly three years, and later served as an Administrative Sanctioning Judge for the national equivalent of the FDA in Ecuador.
In 2024, Nicolas relocated to Argentina to pursue a master’s degree in Law and Economics at the University of Buenos Aires. Since then, he has transitioned into the U.S. legal market, working as both a Case Manager and Intake Specialist.
Nicolas believes legal services should be provided with empathy, care, and a deep respect for each client’s situation. He understands that legal matters often come with emotional and financial challenges, and he is committed to helping clients feel heard, supported, and valued throughout the process.
What Nicolas values most about Shanahan Law is the firm’s commitment to doing what is right for clients and providing high-quality legal services to people from every community. He is driven by conscience, purpose, teamwork, and the belief that challenges create opportunities for growth.
Originally from Ecuador, Nicolas currently lives in Argentina. Outside of work, he enjoys art, museums, reading, old movies, music, playing guitar, photography, and studying music production.
His favorite quote is, “Things do not happen. Things are made to happen.” John F. Kennedy
John Gillen is the Client Services Manager at Thomas D. Shanahan, P.A., where he helps ensure the firm’s clients receive a smooth, responsive, and personalized experience from the very beginning. In his role, John manages the support team, oversees day-to-day operations, and helps integrate platforms such as Clio, Lawmatics, and Bambiz so the firm can run efficiently while maintaining a high standard of client care.
John brings 28 years of operations experience across SaaS, nonprofit, and community development. His background includes nearly seven years managing enterprise client accounts at a publicly traded SaaS company serving the nonprofit sector, as well as 11 years as Director of Operations for one of New York’s largest Catholic parishes. He holds two Master’s degrees and is also a licensed Florida Realtor®, Community Association Manager, and certified LGBTBE® business owner.
At Thomas D. Shanahan, P.A., John is especially focused on closing the gap between what technology can do and how small law firms use it. He believes the right tools and systems can save attorneys valuable time and help clients receive better service, but only when those tools are implemented thoughtfully and effectively.
What John values most about working with the firm is Tom’s commitment to doing things the right way. For John, ethics come before efficiency, and he brings that mindset to every client interaction. He takes pride in supporting a firm where care, accuracy, and personal attention matter.
One of John’s most meaningful experiences with the firm happened during his first weeks on the job, when he was asked to witness a signing at a nursing facility. Being able to support a client and his loved ones during such an important moment left a lasting impression. Seeing the family leave with a sense of calm reminded John why responsive, compassionate service matters so much.
John grew up in Brooklyn, which he credits for his direct communication style and fierce loyalty. He brings that same loyalty to the clients and families the firm serves, making sure they feel supported and understood throughout their experience.
Outside of work, John splits his time between Fort Lauderdale and Dallas, where his husband, Phillip, works. When he is in South Florida, he enjoys spending time near the water. He is also working on a memoir, a long-time project that is finally coming to life.
His favorite quote is, “The truth shall set you free.”
Abhijeet Kumar is a Social Media Marketing Manager who supports the firm’s digital marketing efforts through content creation, graphic design, YouTube thumbnails, and marketing materials. He helps develop social media content and brand awareness campaigns that strengthen the firm’s online presence and maintain a consistent, professional image.
Abhijeet regularly uses Canva and AI-powered tools, including ChatGPT and Claude, to streamline content creation, improve workflow efficiency, generate new ideas, and support marketing initiatives. He is passionate about using technology in a thoughtful way to help marketers spend less time on repetitive manual tasks and more time focusing on strategy, creativity, and meaningful audience engagement.
Before this role, Abhijeet worked as a Social Media Consultant with Creo Global in Dubai, where he managed content creation, social media marketing, AI-assisted content development, and hashtag optimization. He also worked with Zoho CRM and Zoho Social to support lead generation and marketing activities, helping improve brand visibility and audience engagement across digital platforms.
What Abhijeet enjoys most about his work is the opportunity to combine social media management, customer engagement, and digital communication in a meaningful way. He values the chance to interact with audiences, build positive relationships, and help brands maintain a strong and professional presence online.
Abhijeet is driven by continuous learning, accountability, professionalism, creativity, innovation, and delivering meaningful results. He believes in taking ownership of his work, communicating clearly, and consistently looking for ways to improve both personally and professionally.
One experience that shaped his approach happened while working with Creo Global. A potential client was frustrated by delays in communication and unsure about moving forward. Abhijeet took the initiative to understand the client’s concerns, provide timely follow-up, and coordinate with the team to keep the client informed. Through active listening, responsiveness, and relationship building, the client’s trust was rebuilt, and the opportunity was successfully converted into a sale.
Outside of work, Abhijeet enjoys watching movies, going for walks, experimenting with cooking, exploring new places, learning new skills, and spending quality time with family and friends. Cooking gives him a creative outlet, while walking helps him recharge and stay active.
His favorite quote is, “Customer is King.”
Social Media Marketing Manager
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Whether you’re building a life with someone you love, growing a business, or securing your retirement, your estate plan should support your vision.
We’re here to listen, guide, and protect everything that matters most to you across state lines, life stages, and relationships.
