Clark Partington Attorneys at Law

Directions Website Contact the practice

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.

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.

Founding partner Chris Hart helped set Clark Partington’s story in motion from the beginning. He was the first to seriou...
10/01/2026

Founding partner Chris Hart helped set Clark Partington’s story in motion from the beginning. He was the first to seriously suggest that the four founders come together in one practice.

Years later, Chris proposed another important step: establishing a permanent office in Destin to serve the growing Emerald Coast community. On January 2, 1997, the Destin office officially opened at 151 Regions Way, Suite 6-A.

The firm made a full commitment to the new location, establishing a fully staffed office rather than a temporary outpost. Chris and his wife, Jodee, moved to Destin to help get it started.

They expected to stay only a few years. Instead, the community, the work and the relationships kept them there for seventeen.

As the Destin office grew, it later moved to 34990 Emerald Coast Parkway, Suite 301, and then eventually relocated to its present home at 4100 Legendary Drive, Suite 200.

Today, the Destin and Santa Rosa Beach offices are led by Managing Shareholder Scott M. Campbell, who joined the firm in 2004. Scott carries forward Chris Hart’s strong real estate legacy and is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in both Real Estate Law and Condominium & Planned Development Law. He also plays a mean game of golf!

It is one of our favorite reminders that the history of a firm is also a collection of personal stories — of people willing to take a chance on a new idea, put down roots and help shape what comes next.

For founding partner Bill Clark, building a law firm was never simply about growth. It was about people.He became known ...
09/30/2026

For founding partner Bill Clark, building a law firm was never simply about growth. It was about people.

He became known for what colleagues called the “Bill Clark Rule” on hiring: “We didn’t want people at a way station — we wanted people forever.”

His advice was simple: “Be sure the person you hire will be an asset in hiring the next person.”

That philosophy helped shape a firm built around people who wanted to put down roots, build careers together and become part of the community.

His approach to client service was just as straightforward: “When a client calls, we call them back.”

Behind these simple rules was a larger idea about what the firm should be — excellent lawyers doing good work, treating clients well and building relationships meant to last.

Clark Partington's growth can be traced through a few Pensacola addresses.First came 21 South Tarragona Street, where we...
09/29/2026

Clark Partington's growth can be traced through a few Pensacola addresses.

First came 21 South Tarragona Street, where we worked in 1976 while renovations were underway at 715 South Palafox Street. The Palafox building needed substantial work—and, as our firm history recalls, a “good imagination” to see its potential.

By 1985, twelve attorneys were working in space designed for ten. It was time for another move, this time to 125 W. Romana Street, or One Pensacola Plaza (the "green glass" building).

As you can see, One Pensacola Plaza reflected the office style of its era: polished dark wood, brass chandeliers, ornate mirrors, patterned wallpaper, pastel upholstery—and plenty of teal carpet!

In 2018, we moved to our current Pensacola office at 125 E. Intendencia Street, on the former site of the Pensacola News Journal building. Today, we also have offices in Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, and Tallahassee. (More to come on these.)

Each address marks a chapter in the growth of our team and our practice. Together, they help tell the story of a firm taking shape alongside the communities it serves.

Our story began with four attorneys who understood the value of working together.In 1976, Bill Clark, Don Partington, Bo...
09/28/2026

Our story began with four attorneys who understood the value of working together.

In 1976, Bill Clark, Don Partington, Bob Hart, and Chris Hart established the firm we know today as Clark Partington. Bill and Don brought strengths in litigation, Bob in corporate and tax law, and Chris in real estate.

Their approach was straightforward: entrust each matter to the colleague best equipped to handle it, and make decisions about the firm by mutual agreement.

As our 50th anniversary year continues, we’ll share photographs and memories of the people, places, and everyday moments that shaped our firm, from those early days in Pensacola to the colleagues and communities who have contributed along the way.

Some faces and places will be familiar. Others may introduce a chapter you haven’t heard before.

Each is part of a history we’re grateful to share with you.

Cover detail from "Reflections: A History of the Firm" by John Appleyard

It was a pleasure to recently host the Founders of Justice reception for Legal Services of North Florida, Inc., an organ...
09/15/2026

It was a pleasure to recently host the Founders of Justice reception for Legal Services of North Florida, Inc., an organization that has spent decades helping make access to justice possible for people across our community.

During the evening, we heard from Executive Director Leslie Powell Boudreaux, Connie Bookman, Founder and CEO of Pathways for Change, our own shareholder Mark Davis, and others who spoke about the people, partnerships and purpose that continue to move this mission forward.

At the heart of that work is a simple but powerful commitment: helping people access legal support when they might not otherwise have the resources or opportunity to do so.

This year’s gathering was especially meaningful as Legal Services of North Florida celebrates 50 years of service.

We were grateful for the opportunity to reflect on that legacy, recognize the people who have helped shape it and celebrate those continuing the work today.

Congratulations to Legal Services of North Florida on 50 years of meaningful impact in our community.

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

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Clark Partington Attorneys at Law posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Clark Partington Attorneys at Law:

Shortcuts

Share

Category