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News Items

Courtney F. Smith, a Litigation Associate with Shell Fleming Davis & Menge, has had a very busy year!

Together with a successful litigation practice and a full schedule of t-ball games, dance recitals, and homework, Ms. Smith has found the time to participate in various community organizations and outreach programs. Ms. Smith has become a member of the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Committee – an organization that promotes community involvement and encourages all chamber members to take an active role in the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. In addition, Ms. Smith now serves on the Board of the Northwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers and has also become a member of the Pensacola Bay Area IMPACT 100 – an organization committed to serving the community through collectively funded grants to charitable initiatives and to setting an example of effective philanthropy in the our community.

Ms. Smith is dedicated to resolving business and commercial disputes as well as products liability matters. She is a native of Pensacola and is licensed to practice law in the state of Florida and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida. If you would like to know more about Ms. Smith, please visit her Attorney Profile page or call (850) 434-2411.

Ms. Maureen Duignan, Partner with our firm, recently joined the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL).

This Association is formed exclusively for charitable, scientific, educational and legislative purposes including, without limitation, the following: (a) To promote study and research in the field of criminal defense law and procedure and constitutional law; (b) To disseminate by lecture, seminars and publications such theories, technologies and techniques that support or promote the field of criminal defense advocacy; (c) To sponsor periodic meetings of the criminal defense bar; to provide a forum for the exchange of information regarding the administration of criminal justice; and thereby to protect individual rights and improve the practice and procedures of criminal law; (d) To represent the Association before the legislative, executive and judicial bodies which determine policy for the state and federal governments in a manner that promotes the mission of the Association and its objectives and purposes; and (e) To preserve, protect and defend the adversary system of justice and the Constitution. The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers believes that continued recognition and adherence to the Bill of Rights by the Judicial, Legislative, and Executive branches of government are necessary to sustain the quality of the American system of justice.

Ms. Duignan is a long time member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL) and is the former president of the Pensacola Chapter of the FACDL. She has also been a Florida Board Certified Trial Lawyer since 1990 and specifically focuses her practice in Criminal Defense and Family Law.

Courtney Smith becomes member of the Florida Defense Lawyer’s Association

Ms. Courtney Smith recently became a member of the Florida Defense Lawyer’s Association, an organization of Florida lawyers dedicated to defending the interests of Florida businesses and individuals in civil matters, as well as DRI: The Voice of the Defense Bar, an international organization of attorneys defending the interests of business and individuals in civil litigation.

Danny L. Kepner, chairman of Speech and Hearing Board

As of Jan.1, firm partner, Danny L. Kepner became the chairman of the Speech & Hearing Board, which provides assistance to indigent members of our community of all ages who need evaluations and/or therapy because of speech or hearing problems. I serve on the Board as a representative of Five Flags Sertoma Club. Sertoma International’s primary focus is on assisting the more than 50 million people with hearing health issues and educating the public on the issues surrounding hearing health.

Maureen Duignan Recognized by the Board of Legal Specialization and Education for Recertification in Criminal Trial

“Your continued pursuit of board certification is a direct reflection of your commitment to excellence and professionalism in your practice of law. As a board certified lawyer, you have, in the eyes of the Supreme Court of Florida, the distinction of having “special knowledge, skills and proficiency in your practice area, as well as character, ethics, and a reputation for professionalism in the practice of law.” Moreover, you are entitled to represent yourself as a “specialist” and “expert” in your field of practice.“
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Top 3 Finishes: Best Law Firm, Best Attorney (Charles Hoffman Jr.)

Shell Fleming Davis & Menge formed in 1956 and has since built a reputation of integrity and trust for its legal work and dedication to the community. The firm, made up of 12 attorneys, holds the most distinguished designation that the Martindale-Hubbell Bar Registry offers.
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A Simple Solution?

Pensacola Beach leaseholders learn about the options of owning their slice of paradise. About 200 Pensacola Beach leaseholders gathered last week to hear a presentation about Fee Simple Title, one of the options available to them in light of recent legal decisions allowing taxation. Pensacola Beach Advocates organized the forum, which was held at the Beach Community Church.
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Partner, Jim Shea has recently been nominated and selected as a member of The Council on Litigation Management (CLM).

The CLM is an alliance of select attorneys, law firms, insurance companies, risk managers and general counsel of some of the nation’s largest businesses, coming together to promote  the highest levels of performance and ethics in defense litigation.  Selection of attorneys to the Council by Fellows is indicative of their reputation for performance, ethics and professional commitment to the highest standards of litigation management.

Short Sales (Boon or Bust?)

What is a 'short sale'? A short sale is simply a transaction where the proceeds of the sale will not be sufficient to cover the oustanding debt and closing costs. In other words, the value of the property being sold is less than the total debt associated with the propoerty.
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