Our History

In an age in which law firms frequently break up and partners come and go, this Firm has remained largely intact for more than half a century. The Firm began as Shell & Davis, when Mr. Shell and Mr. Davis opened their law office together shortly after completing law school in June 1956. At the time, there were only about 60 attorneys practicing in Pensacola. In August of that year, Mr. Davis entered the U.S. Army as a member of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps.

In 1957, Mr. Shell and Mr. Fleming formed a partnership, Shell & Fleming. In 1959, Mr. Davis returned from the service and the firm became Shell, Fleming & Davis, with offices in the Brent Annex Building. In 1963, the Firm moved its offices to The First Bank & Trust Company building, now the Bank of America building.

In 1964, M. J. Menge joined the Firm, becoming a partner in 1968, when the Firm's name was permanently changed to Shell, Fleming, Davis & Menge.

In 1973, the Firm opened offices in the historic but newly renovated and renamed Seville Tower. It was previously the Florida National Bank Building and originally the American National Bank Building. The 11-story building was erected in 1910 and was the tallest building in Florida at that time. It remained the tallest in Pensacola until 1974. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in November 1978. The Seville Tower remains a landmark in downtown Pensacola and a credit to our community. The Firm renovated and moved to the top four floors of the building in 1996. The main reception area is located on the 9th floor.

Over the years, the original partners have thoughtfully and carefully added additional attorneys to the Firm, structuring its growth to accommodate the legal needs of its clients and the community. The growth of the Firm has been deliberate in a careful effort to assemble a group of attorneys and staff who work well together, enjoy and respect each other and are highly motivated toward legal and moral excellence and client service.