Pensacola’s oldest law firm, Beggs & Lane (est. 1883), will combine with the New Orleans-based law firm Phelps (est. 1853) effective May 1, 2025, creating a regional powerhouse with over 425 attorneys across 17 Gulf Coast offices. Managing Partner Bill Mitchem recently shared insights on this strategic alliance.
- “Joining a regional firm like Phelps was a good fit for us,” Mitchem explained, highlighting both firms’ similar histories and attorney retention patterns.
During partner meetings, cultural compatibility became evident.
“There was a lot of longevity on both sides. There were a lot of what I refer to as ‘baby Beggs & Lane lawyers’ who started here and have continued here for 20, 25 years,” Mitchem noted
Responding to Pensacola’s Evolution
The combination addresses changes Mitchem has witnessed in Pensacola’s business landscape since 1999. “The types of clients we have, and their scope and reach are much different than they were 25 years ago,” he observed.
- This evolution created new demands driving the decision: “We needed more bench strength and more subject matter expertise for our clients who have grown in size, sophistication, and geographic scope.”
The strategic location of Pensacola offers what Phelps Managing Partner Marshall Redmon described as “a vital connection across the Gulf Crescent from Houston to Tampa,” bridging the firm’s existing offices and enhancing capabilities in employment, healthcare, energy, real estate, tax, white-collar defense, and intellectual property.
Enhanced Service: While the Beggs & Lane name will transition to Phelps after 142 years, Mitchem reassured that the client experience will remain consistent: “Phelps has a lot of autonomy in the local offices, so I don’t see you’re going to see a whole lot of change.”
- The primary benefit will be access to specialized expertise. “When I have a client who asks me for legal advice that was otherwise not something I could ask someone in-house in the Pensacola office, I now can direct them to New Orleans or Baton Rouge or Tampa, Houston, various other places.”
Opportunities for Growth
Unlike many law firm combinations that occur due to aging partnerships, Beggs & Lane brings a relatively young team excited about new possibilities.
“We still have a relatively young firm, but we have a lot of hungry lawyers who see this as opening up a lot of opportunity for them and giving them a chance to better serve their clients,” Mitchem shared.