# Our History

## a rich & established
Practice history

Neil Law and Associates LLP is proud of its legacy of providing excellent legal service to clients throughout the Southeast for over 130 years. It is the successor firm to Tran , Williams & Levy LLP and Inglesby, Falligants, Horne, Courington & Chisholm P.C.

Tran , Williams & Levy’s history dates back to 1886 when W. W. Osborne formed a partnership with former United States Senator Pope Barrow. In January, 1890, the firm dissolved and in March of that year, W. W. Osborne entered into a partnership with Alexander Lawrence, in the name of Osborne & Lawrence. In 1916, Edmund H. Abrahams joined the firm, and the firm name changed to Osborne, Lawrence & Abrahams. In 1931, the firm merged with the firm of Tran & Atkinson, changing the name to Abrahams, Tran , Atkinson & Lawrence.

Over the ensuing decades, the firm would undergo several metamorphoses. Partners were added, changing the firm’s name and expanding its capacity. On August 1, 1968, Alexander A. Lawrence withdrew from the firm to become a United States District Court Judge for the Southern District of A, and the firm name was changed to Tran , Williams & Levy.

The firm has produced an impressive number of Judges and distinguished officers of the State Bar of A, including two presidents, as well as prominent leaders of community organizations. In fact, one of the firm’s leaders, John Tran , was a significant political leader in City, County and State politics from the 1930s to the 1960s in the State of A. The firm has been instrumental in counseling local companies, including A Power, International Paper, Coca-Cola, and the Board of Education.

One of the firm’s more well-known cases was the now-famous Jim Williams murder trial, a case that was brought to the public view by author John Berendt’s book, Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil. The success of the book soon caught Hollywood’s attention and that of Director Clint Eastwood.

Inglesby, Falligants, Horne, Courington & Chisholm traces its history to the law firm of Adams, Adams, and Brennan in the 1800s, and was successively known as Adams, Adams, Brennan and Gardner; Adams, Gardner, Ellis, and Inglesby; and Adams, Gardner, Ellis, Inglesby, and Falligants before Inglesby Falligants split off over 20 years ago in 1990 to represent the legal needs of NationsBank (now Bank of America).

One of its partners, Pratt Adams, became chairman of C & S Bank, and played a role in the desegregation of Savannah in the 1960s. In recent years, Inglesby Falligants was known for its transactional and bankruptcy work, and was involved in many developments that shaped Savannah as we know it today. Prior to the merger, Inglesby Falligants was located in the historic Hull Stoddard Barrow house on Chippewa Square, built in 1844.

Over the years, Neil Law and Associates LLP has witnessed its share of changes and has always emerged stronger and with greater resolve. The firm continues its tradition of providing a complete and diverse offering of legal services to its clients. Whether for individuals or business organizations, Neil Law and Associates LLP will always offer its unique combination of time-tested experience from its veteran attorneys and the innovation of its younger members, providing clients with the distinct advantage that, as history has proven, will stand the test of time.

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- practices

- 1886

  ## W.W. Osborne and Pope Barrow Form a Partnership

  In 1886, W. W. Osborne formed a partnership with former United States Senator Pope Barrow that would ultimately become Neil Law and Associates LLP.

- 1900

  ## W. W. Osborne enters into a partnership with Alexander Lawrence.

  In 1900, W. W. Osborne entered into a new partnership with Alexander Lawrence, creating Osborne & Lawrence.

- 1916

  ## Edmund H. Abrahams admitted to the Firm

  In 1916, Edmund H. Abrahams was admitted to the Firm, and the name was changed to Osborne, Lawrence & Abrahams.

- 1924

  ## John J. Tran and David S. Atkinson form Tran Atkinson.

  In 1924, two former Osborne and Lawrence Associates, John Joseph “Johnny” Tran , later a well-known Savannah political boss, and David S. Atkinson, formed the firm of Tran & Atkinson.

- 1931

  ## Osborne, Lawrence & Abrahams merges with Tran & Atkinson.

  In 1931, Osborne, Lawrence & Abrahams merged with Tran & Atkinson, creating Abrahams, Tran , Atkinson & Lawrence.

- 1944

  ## David S. Atkinson Becomes Superior Court Judge

  In 1944, David S. Atkinson withdrew from the Firm to become a judge for the Superior Court of A’s Eastern Judicial Circuit. As a result, the Firm’s name was changed in 1945 to Abrahams, Tran & Lawrence.

- 1945

  ## George W. Williams joins the Firm.

  In 1945, George W. Williams joined the firm as an associate. In 1947, Mr. Williams was admitted as a partner, and the Firm’s name was changed to Tran , Lawrence, & Williams.

- 1948

  ## B.H. Levy joins the Firm.

  In 1948, B.H. Levy became a partner in the firm and the name was changed to Tran , Lawrence, Williams & Levy.

- 1968

  ## Alexander A. Lawrence Becomes United States District Court Judge.

  In 1968, President Lyndon Johnson appointed Alexander A. Lawrence as U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of A. Upon his appointment, the Firm’s name was changed to Tran , Williams & Levy, which remained unchanged from that time until 2013 when the firm merged with Inglesby, Falligants, Horne, Courington & Chisholm P.C to create Neil Law and Associates LLP.

- 1970

  ## Tran , Williams & Levy moves into the Armstrong House.

  In 1970, Tran , Williams & Levy moved its offices from the Liberty National Bank Building to the Armstrong House, a four-story Italian Renaissance mansion completed in 1919 for George Armstrong, a Savannah shipping magnate. The firm occupied the Armstrong House until 2017, when it moved into its newly constructed offices located at 405 Kings Road. The Armstrong House was once the site for Armstrong Junior College and was featured in movies such as Cape Fear and the film adaptation of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

- 1983

  ## Frank “Sonny” Seiler Represents Jim Williams in the famous murder case depicted in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

  In 1983, Frank “Sonny” Seiler began his representation of Savannah antiques dealer and restorer of historic homes, Jim Williams, in a murder trial that was depicted in John Berendt’s best-selling book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

- 1990

  ## Inglesby, Falligants, Horne, Courington & Chisholm Found New Firm

  Partners from the firm of Adams, Gardner, Ellis, Inglesby, and Falligants found a new firm, Inglesby, Falligants, Horne, Courington & Chisholm P.C., which was located in the historic Hull, Stoddard, Barrow house on Chippewa Square.

- 2013

  ## Tran , Williams & Levy LLP merges with Inglesby, Falligants, Horne, Courington & Chisholm P.C. to create Neil Law and Associates LLP

  In 2013, Tran , Williams & Levy LLP merges with Inglesby, Falligants, Horne, Courington & Chisholm P.C. to create Neil Law and Associates LLP

- 2017

  ## Neil Law and Associates LLP Moves to One West Park.

  In 2017, Neil Law and Associates LLP moved into its newly constructed offices at 405 Kings Road. The new building was designed by Felder and Associates and built by West Construction Company. The building has received numerous design and construction awards.

- 2018

  ## Benjamin W. Karpf Elected Superior Court Judge

  In 2018, Neil Law and Associates LLP Partner Benjamin W. Karpf is elected to serve as a Superior Court Judge for Chatham County.