 N.D. Denson, Sr.
Samford & Denson, LLP was founded in 1912 by Judge N.D. Denson, a former member of the Supreme Court of Alabama. Judge Denson resigned from the Supreme Court in 1909 to resume the private practice of law as well as to become general counsel for West Point Manufacturing Company. In 1912, he and his son John V. Denson formed the partnership.
In 1914, N.D. Denson, Jr. began practice with the firm, which then became N.D. Denson & Sons. The firm became Denson & Denson when Judge N.D. Denson resumed, by appointment, the position of Circuit Judge of the 5th Judicial Circuit of Alabama.  N. D. Denson, Jr.
Yetta G. Samford, Jr. joined the practice with his uncle N.D. Denson, Jr. in 1949, and in 1954 the name of the firm was changed to Denson & Samford.
In 1959, C.C. Torbert, Jr. joined the firm, which became known as Samford & Torbert. In 1960, John V. Denson, II, the son of N.D. Denson, Jr. joined the firm, becoming the third generation Denson to practice with the firm. In 1966 the name of the firm became Samford, Torbert & Denson. In 1967, William F. Horsley joined the firm, and Robert H. Pettey joined the firm in 1973. In 1978, C.C. Torbert, Jr. was elected Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Alabama, and the firm then became known as Samford, Denson, Horsley & Pettey.  John V. Denson
In 2001, Joshua J. Jackson joined the firm, and in 2004, Christopher J. Hughes joined the firm. Jennifer M. Chambliss joined the firm in 2008.
John V. Denson, II was elected Circuit Judge of Lee County, Alabama in 2004, and the firm then changed its name to Samford & Denson, LLP, the name by which the firm had commonly been known for many years. In 2010, John V. Denson, II retired as Circuit Judge and rejoined the firm. Christopher J. Hughes was elected to fill that same position, and took office as Circuit Judge of Lee County in 2010. Also in 2010, Andrew D. Stanley joined the firm. 
In 2012, Chad Wachter joined the firm of counsel.
Throughout the nearly 100 years of its existence, many lawyers have trained and practiced at the firm. The firm now consists of John Denson, Bill Horsley, Bob Pettey, Josh Jackson, Andrew Stanley, Jennifer Chambliss and Chad Wachter. Samford & Denson has always emphasized ethical conduct, diligence and quality work along with recognition of civic responsibility. The firm has produced two members of the Supreme Court of Alabama, three circuit judges, a State Senator and two members of the Alabama House of Representatives. Two State Bar Commissioners, five presidents of the Lee County Bar Association, and four Chairmen of the Opelika Chamber of Commerce have come from the firm. Firm members have also served as university trustees at the University of Alabama, Auburn University and the University of Mobile. Firm members are regularly involved in other civic, business, church and community related areas of service. |
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