Francis Shackelford

Francis Shackelford (September 9, 1909 – November 30, 1973)^[1] was the United States General Counsel of the Army from 1950 to 1952 and Assistant Secretary of the Army (General Management) from 1952 to 1953.

Biography[edit]

Francis Shackelford was born in Georgia and educated at Princeton University and Harvard Law School.^[2] During World War II, he served as an officer in the United States Navy.^[2]

In 1950, President of the United States Harry Truman named Shackelford General Counsel of the Army, with Shackelford holding this office from July 24, 1950 until August 25, 1952.^[3] On August 26, 1952, he became Assistant Secretary of the Army (General Management), holding this office until January 20, 1953.^[3]

Leaving government service in 1953, Shackelford became a Managing Partner of the law firm then called Alston, Miller, Gaines, Spann, and Shackelford. The firm name was later streamlined to Alston, Miller, & Gaines. The firm is now the firm of Alston & Bird. Shackelford loved his career at Alston, Miller & Gaines to the extent that he and his partners eventually dubbed it "The Happy Firm". Shackelford also served as general counsel of Magic Chef, a position he would hold until his death twenty years later.^[2] But, his true calling was his tax law work at Alston, Miller & Gaines. And, after all these decades, Alston & Bird is still called "The Happy Firm".

Shackelford was married to the former Renee Marie Fletcher, and was living in Atlanta, Georgia at the time of his death.^[2] After Shackelford underwent open heart surgery in Birmingham, Alabama, doctors were unable to revive him, and he died on November 30, 1973.^[4]

References[edit]