Our
firm has an accomplished record in several fields of law. Founder of
the firm Francis H. Watson was a judge, city and county attorney, as
well as a life-long resident of Red Wing. Born in 1910, Francis
graduated from the St. Paul College of Law (now William Mitchell
College of Law) in 1933 and immediately opened an office in Red Wing.
In 1935 he became the first Municipal Court Judge for the City of Red
Wing. He served in that capacity until 1947, when he became the Red
Wing City Attorney. Francis was the Red Wing City Attorney until
1954, when he was elected Goodhue County Attorney. He served as
Goodhue County Attorney, which was a part-time position, until 1970.
Kent Speight joined the firm as an associate in 1975 after graduating from the University of Wisconsin Law School. When Kent became a partner in January of 1976, the firm became Watson & Speight. Watson was President and Chair of the Board of former Red Wing Federal Savings and Loan Association and was general counsel for other local banks. Speight taught real estate and securities law for real estate licensees. Their expertise led the firm to focus on real estate and banking law.
Francis Watson died in September of 1986. Kent Speight was joined by James McNary in February of 1991, and Jennifer Lappegaard in April of 1992. Today, Watson & Speight continues to offer expert services in real estate, banking, estate planning, probate and business and corporate transactions.
