Clark Partington Attorneys at Law

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Clark Partington Attorneys at Law We are Clark Partington—a Northwest Florida regional law firm serving the legal needs of individuals and businesses for 50 years.

Clark Partington is a preeminent Gulf Coast regional law firm, serving the comprehensive legal needs of individuals and businesses as trusted advisors and counsel, with offices in Pensacola, Destin, Santa Rosa Beach & Tallahassee. We stand on the shoulders of the founders who forged the success of our Firm, we are shaped by our respect for their legacy, and propelled forward by a quiet confidence born of 48 years of excellence. More information about the firm’s practice, its attorneys, staff and recognitions may be found at www.clarkpartington.com.

Clark Partington’s Tallahassee story began in 2011 at 106 E. College Avenue.Keith Bell had joined the firm in 2002 in it...
10/19/2026

Clark Partington’s Tallahassee story began in 2011 at 106 E. College Avenue.

Keith Bell had joined the firm in 2002 in its Pensacola office, beginning his practice in the community where he grew up. Ten years later, in 2012, he moved from his hometown of Pensacola to Tallahassee to manage and help grow the firm’s new office there.

Much like founding partner Chris Hart had done when the firm expanded to Destin, Keith made the move himself—putting down roots in a new community while building Clark Partington’s presence there.

The Tallahassee office grew with the addition of attorneys including Trevor Thompson, Ian Macdonald, and Bailey Howard, expanding the firm’s litigation practice and its reach across Northwest Florida and beyond.

In 2021, the office moved from its original home at 106 E. College Avenue to 215 S. Monroe Street, where it remains today.

And the attorney who began with Clark Partington in Pensacola in 2002, then moved to Tallahassee a decade later to lead that office, now serves as the firm’s President and Managing Shareholder.

Another address. Another chapter in a 50-year story!

Celebrating 25 Years with Richard Sherrill!As Clark Partington celebrates its 50th anniversary, we're especially delight...
10/16/2026

Celebrating 25 Years with Richard Sherrill!

As Clark Partington celebrates its 50th anniversary, we're especially delighted to recognize someone who has been part of half our firm's history!

Richard N. Sherrill joined Clark Partington on October 9, 2001, and has spent the past 25 years making a lasting impact on our firm, our clients, and our community.

A Board Certified Wills, Trusts & Estates attorney and Fellow of the prestigious American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), Richard is widely respected for his legal knowledge, professionalism, and dedication to his clients. His leadership extends well beyond his practice. A member of our Executive Committee and current Chair of our Business Development Committee, Richard has helped guide the firm's growth and continued success while generously contributing his time and talents to numerous community organizations.

Richard, thank you for 25 years of outstanding service, leadership, and commitment to Clark Partington. We are grateful for all you have contributed to our firm's story and look forward to the chapters still to come!

Please join us in congratulating Richard on this significant milestone!

Happy Boss’s Day to our wonderful attorneys! From all of us on the Clark Partington staff, thank you for your leadership...
10/16/2026

Happy Boss’s Day to our wonderful attorneys! From all of us on the Clark Partington staff, thank you for your leadership, support, and for making our firm such a special place to work. We are grateful for you!

When Harry B. “Hank” Stackhouse joined Clark Partington in the 1980s, he brought an impressive combination of academic a...
10/15/2026

When Harry B. “Hank” Stackhouse joined Clark Partington in the 1980s, he brought an impressive combination of academic achievement, military service and specialized legal training.

Hank graduated from The Citadel with high honors in 1974 and earned his law degree with honors from the University of Florida in 1977. He then served as an officer in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps from 1978 through 1980 before returning to the University of Florida to earn his Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation in 1981.

A board-certified tax attorney, Hank built a sophisticated practice spanning state and federal taxation, estate planning and administration, and business transactions. His work ranged from developing complex estate plans and resolving tax controversies to advising businesses on mergers, acquisitions and corporate reorganizations. He also became a trusted advisor to physicians and medical practices, developing lasting professional relationships with clients who relied on his expertise in both personal and business matters.

But one of the longest and most remarkable professional partnerships of Hank's career wasn't with a client or another attorney.

For 33 years, Suzanne "Suzie" Cooke served as Hank's legal secretary. Their working relationship spanned more than three decades, and when the time came, they retired together.

The word secretary has an interesting history. Its origins trace to the idea of someone entrusted with secrets — a person relied upon to handle confidential matters with discretion and judgment. Long before the word acquired its modern administrative associations, a secretary was a trusted keeper of another person's private and important affairs.

That older meaning seems especially fitting for Hank and Suzie.

The accompanying page offers a wonderful glimpse into their working relationship. Hank's draft is covered from margin to margin with handwritten additions, deletions, arrows, circles and instructions — the sort of revision that required someone who knew not only his handwriting, but how he thought.

For more than three decades, Suzie did.

Of course, no story about Hank would be complete without mentioning another of his unmistakable trademarks: his mustache. That tradition has a present-day echo in his successor, tax attorney Rhett Williams, whose own distinguished mustache has prompted more than a few comparisons to a modern-day Clark Gable.

As we celebrate 50 years of Clark Partington, we're remembering not only the attorneys whose names appeared on the firm's door, but also the remarkable people who worked alongside them.

Hank Stackhouse's name became part of the firm's name, but his 33-year partnership with Suzie Cooke represents something equally important to its history: the trust, loyalty and shared understanding that make a successful law practice possible.

As part of our 50th anniversary celebration, we're continuing to look back at the people and personalities who have help...
10/14/2026

As part of our 50th anniversary celebration, we're continuing to look back at the people and personalities who have helped shape Clark Partington over the decades.

William E. “Bubba” Bond Jr., an eighth-generation Pensacolian, took an unconventional path to law. After attending the University of Florida, he joined the U.S. Navy, earned his wings of gold in 1969, and served aboard the USS America in the Gulf of Tonkin. He later returned home, worked as a stockbroker and w**e salesman, and graduated with honors from Florida State University College of Law. Naval aviation, financial markets, and w**e—proved to be a remarkably well-rounded preparation for dealing with lawyers.

Bubba built a broad litigation practice encompassing real estate and business disputes, creditors’ rights, probate matters, and more. He quickly developed a sizable and loyal roster of clients and earned a reputation as the best commercial litigation lawyer on the Gulf Coast. His tenacity and energy were rarely matched. Later in his career, he became the “go-to” mediator for major cases, bringing formidable experience, practical judgment, and a wit that could take some of the heat out of a heated dispute.

For all his professional accomplishments, Bubba was equally memorable for being such good company. He was a lawyer’s lawyer, a generous mentor, and proof that taking your work seriously did not require taking yourself quite so seriously. Young lawyers benefited from his patience, although patience should never have been mistaken for lowered expectations.

An old attorney-retreat profile summed up his approach to practice simply: “There are no shortcuts.” His advice to younger lawyers was equally direct: work hard, know your clients, anticipate problems, and remember that a client’s legal matter may be the most important thing happening in that person’s life. He set a high standard and helped others reach it—usually with a lesson worth remembering and a laugh along the way.

After almost a decade at Clark Partington, Jo Anne Donatella has crossed the finish line and is off to her next adventur...
10/08/2026

After almost a decade at Clark Partington, Jo Anne Donatella has crossed the finish line and is off to her next adventure: retirement!

An avid runner, Jo Anne knows a thing or two about going the distance, and we couldn't let an approaching hurricane interfere with her victory lap!

When Jo Anne returned from her last lunch break, she found a surprise guest filling in at reception: Kazoo from the Pensacola Blue Wahoos! After trying his hand at her job, Kazoo escorted her to a celebration with her Clark Partington family.

It was a particularly fitting surprise. As our receptionist, Jo Anne wore many hats, and for several years, one of those included teaming up with our marketing department to coordinate and distribute Blue Wahoos season tickets throughout the firm. She helped keep everyone organized and made sure those tickets found their way into the right hands!

In her tenure, Jo Anne has been a welcoming face, a helping hand, and a treasured member of our team. We are so grateful for her kindness, professionalism, good humor, and countless contributions.

Congratulations, Jo Anne! You've earned this victory lap, and we'll be cheering you on in every adventure ahead!

Many thanks to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos for making Jo Anne's last day extra special and memorable!

We know many in our community are focused on weather preparations today, so we’ll keep this one simple.Here are the face...
10/07/2026

We know many in our community are focused on weather preparations today, so we’ll keep this one simple.

Here are the faces behind the clues from our recent post.

The group includes founding partners Bill Clark, Don Partington, Bob Hart and Chris Hart, along with Dennis Larry, Bill “Bubba” Bond and Hank Stackhouse.

Also pictured are Kathy Horton-Brown, who joined the firm as an associate in 1980, and Millard Fretland.

In 1985, the firm became Clark, Partington, Hart, Larry, Bond & Stackhouse, reflecting a period of growth that had brought new attorneys, new areas of practice and a move to One Pensacola Plaza.

The answers may tell you who is who. The captions tell you something else about the firm: there has always been room for personality.

Fifty years later, those personalities are still part of the stories worth sharing.

Answer key:

1. Dennis Larry
2. Millard Fretland
3. Chris Hart
4. Don Partington
5. Bob Hart
6. Bill Clark
7. Kathy Horton-Brown
8. Hank Stackhouse
9. Bill “Bubba” Bond

Most importantly, we hope everyone across our community stays safe in the days ahead.

Some predictions age better than others.When the firm acquired an early stand-alone word processor with internal memory,...
10/06/2026

Some predictions age better than others.

When the firm acquired an early stand-alone word processor with internal memory, the salesperson offered a confident assurance:

“It’s got 25 megs of memory, that’s all you’ll ever need...”

Bob Hart recalled that computers, fax machines, and other new tools offered opportunities to be more responsive to clients. Making the most of them meant being willing to learn.

A 1993 issue of "The Firm Voice" newsletter recognized twelve colleagues, including Bob and Chris Hart, for completing an eight-week course in computer basics. The newsletter awarded them an enthusiastic designation: “Computer Genius.”

Siri wasn’t part of the curriculum, and an AI assistant probably sounded more like science fiction. A little more than three decades later, we carry far more computing power in our pockets and are once again learning how new technology can change the way we work.

The prediction still makes us smile. The willingness to learn something new in service of clients is what we appreciate most.

This photo brings together several attorneys who helped shape an important chapter in the firm’s story. Some were founde...
10/05/2026

This photo brings together several attorneys who helped shape an important chapter in the firm’s story. Some were founders. Others joined as Clark Partington grew.

By 1985, six of the attorneys pictured would be reflected in the firm’s name: Clark, Partington, Hart, Larry, Bond & Stackhouse. That same year, the firm moved into One Pensacola Plaza.

Think you can identify everyone?

Match each clue below with the right face:

1. Dreaming about his first JAG
2. Thinking about growing a goatee
3. Thought they were joking about a Destin office
4. Thinking about his next opera role
5. Perfected the Andy Williams look
6. Still wearing a pocket protector
7. Borrowed shirt from Thomas Jefferson
8. Wearing his first pair of Nikes in this photo
9. Last time seen smiling

Drop your guesses in the comments, then check back for the answers on Wednesday.

No legal research required.

Fun fact: This clever historic puzzle was originally published ~15 years ago in the 2nd iteration of our firm newsletter - created by the Appleyard Agency.

The Pelican… flies on Friday.Back in 2004, the Pensacola News Journal launched 𝗣𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗲, a public art projec...
10/02/2026

The Pelican… flies on Friday.

Back in 2004, the Pensacola News Journal launched 𝗣𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗲, a public art project that placed dozens of fiberglass pelicans around downtown Pensacola. Local businesses and individuals sponsored the statues, chose a theme, and worked with artists to give each pelican its own identity.

Naturally, Clark Partington chose "𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳."

According to 30-year Clark Partington veteran Lisa Wallace — with the story also corroborated by shareholder Scott Re*****on — our legal-minded bird quickly found itself at the center of a story worthy of the name.

During the project’s initial display, the pelicans were temporarily lined up together along Palafox Street downtown for a 5k during the Fourth of July weekend, when someone spotted the briefcase beside our pelican and phoned in a bomb threat.

Legend has it that Pensacola Police responded and, believing the case could pose a danger, destroyed it.

The pelican survived. The briefcase did not.

A replacement was made, and Lisa recalls that may have been when the file folder prominently labeled “The Pelican Brief” was added — perhaps to prevent any future misunderstandings.

More than two decades later, our pelican is still part of the Clark Partington family, carrying a little piece of Pensacola history — and one very good story.

Address

125 East Intendencia Street
Pensacola, FL
32502

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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