LANDIS
GRAHAM FRENCH |
HISTORY
OF "the old firm" |
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The Early Era
The Depression and War Years
The Modern Era
Today
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The old Fish, Landis & Hull law office
West
Indiana Avenue
circa 1900
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The law firm of Landis Graham French is one of
the oldest law firms in continuous existence in the state of Florida.
For many years, it was informally referred to as simply "the old
firm" by attorneys throughout the central Florida region, and it
is certainly the oldest firm in Volusia County. The firm's original law
office was a one-story building built specifically for the firm in 1902
at 110 W. Indiana Avenue in downtown DeLand, Florida, the county seat
for Volusia County. Many of the original office furnishings, including
a safe, roll-top desks, oak filing cabinets, and chairs, date to the
early 1900's. During its illustrious history, the firm has undergone a
number of name changes as senior members have come into the firm, died
or moved on to other positions.
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The Early Era
The firm was first formed as a formal partnership
in 1902 between Cary D. Landis and Bert
Fish. At that time,
the firm was known as Landis & Fish. It is believed, however, that
the firm's historical roots actually pre-date the formal 1902
partnership and that Judge James W. Perkins was also involved in the
original association.
Cary D. Landis, born in 1873 in Indiana,
joined the faculty of Stetson College of Law, as assistant professor of
law in 1901 through 1905. Mr. Landis was active in the Democratic Party
at the time of the firm's formation, and that relationship persisted
throughout his life. Bert Fish, born in Bedford, Indiana, in 1875,
became Superintendent
of Volusia County Schools in 1900. While in this
position, Mr. Fish earned his law degree (LL.B.) from Stetson University
School of Law, becoming one of five individuals in the first graduating
class of that institution in 1902. Sometime in 1902, Cary D.
Landis and Bert Fish formed a law partnership in DeLand. The partnership
that Landis and Fish began continues to this day as Landis Graham
French, P.A.
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From 1910 to
1917, while a partner in the Landis and Fish firm, Bert Fish served as
judge of the criminal court of Volusia County. Cary D. Landis was
elected as State Attorney for the Seventh Judicial Circuit in 1911. He
received a majority vote in each county comprising the district at that
time.
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 In
1914, Dossie C. Hull joined Landis & Fish as a partner, forming
Landis, Fish & Hull. It is believed that Mr. Hull, a 1909 Stetson
University graduate, also taught at Stetson Law School. D. C. Hull
served as a clerk with Landis & Fish before becoming a partner.
Throughout his long career, Mr. Hull was known as a "straight
arrow," always seeking the highest ideals of ethics and propriety.
The firm's history is linked with the
history of DeLand, Volusia County, and Stetson University. Early
clients of the firm included Tomoka Land Company, Florida East Coast
Railway, the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Co., the City of Sanford,
City of DeLand, City of New Smyrna, Town of Ormond, Volusia County, and
many others. An interesting case involving this early era of the firm
can be found at Coleman v Fisher 68 Fla. 56 (1914). This case
reflects a different era of law practice where a few individuals
exerted extraordinary power.
Dossie Hull
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Two story building,
West Indiana Avenue
circa
1982
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The original firm building was expanded to a two-story
facility in 1925 in order to accommodate the firm's growth. In 1926,
the firm name became Landis, Fish, Hull & Whitehair with the
addition of Francis P. Whitehair as a partner. Fish retired from law
practice in 1928, and the firm was renamed Hull, Landis &
Whitehair. Joining the firm in 1928 was J. "Ollie" Edmunds,
later to become President of Stetson University. After the firm
supported the Florida campaign of Franklin D. Roosevelt for president,
several of the firm members rose to high government office.
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The Depression and War Years
The Modern Era
Today
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