History of Firm

History of Firm

Watson & Speight’s founder, Francis H. Watson, was 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 opened an office in Red Wing that same year. In 1935 he became the first Municipal Court Judge for the City of Red Wing. He served in that capacity for twelve years, until 1947, when he became the Red Wing City Attorney. Francis was the Red Wing City Attorney until 1954, at which time 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. Kent became a partner in January of 1976, and the firm became Watson & Speight. At that time, Francis H. Watson was President and Chair of the Board of former Red Wing Federal Savings and Loan Association. In addition, Watson was general counsel for other local banks. Speight taught real estate and securities law for real estate licensees. As a result, the firm concentrated a significant amount of its time in real estate and banking law matters.

Francis Watson died in September of 1986. Kent Speight was joined by James T. McNary, who joined the firm in February of 1991, and Jennifer L. Lappegaard, who joined the firm in April of 1992 and was admitted to the bar in October of 1998. Watson & Speight still concentrates in real estate, banking, estate planning, probate and business and corporate transactions.

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The opinions and ideas expressed herein do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. If you have a specific legal problem, please consult a lawyer.