Overview
Shawn Cantley is a Partner at Thomas Law Offices and leads the firm’s Divorce & Family Law practice group. An accomplished Louisville attorney whose career spans more than two decades of complex litigation, business ownership and entrepreneurship, Shawn focuses his practice on high-asset divorce matters involving businesses, substantial assets, complex financial interests and other significant considerations.
Shawn began his legal career after graduating with honors from the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law in 2002, joining Stites & Harbison, one of Kentucky’s largest corporate defense firms. He later co-founded Bahe Cook Cantley & Nefzger, where he litigated complex, high-stakes civil cases.
Over the course of his career, Shawn has co-founded and owned businesses in the hospitality, real estate and healthcare industries. His experience as a business owner gives him firsthand insight into business ownership, financing, real estate, contracts, cash flow, negotiations and risk, all considerations that can become particularly important in complex divorce and family law matters.
Shawn brings his litigation experience, business background and practical approach to solving complex problems to his family law practice. He understands that divorce is deeply personal, but when significant assets, businesses, careers and families are involved, it also requires disciplined strategic thinking. He works with clients to understand what they have built, what is genuinely at risk and how the decisions made during a divorce can affect their lives for years to come.
A Southern California native, Shawn came to Louisville on scholarship to attend the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law. He earned a place on the Law Review, was published, became its Senior Editor and served as Chief Justice of the University’s student body. He previously earned a B.A. in Political Science from California State University, Fullerton and an M.A. in National Security Policy from California State University, San Bernardino.
Shawn is also the father of two teenage sons, both students at the University of Miami. Go Canes!
