View Larger Map

      Ed Fleming is often described, by lawyers and judges, as a “lawyer’s lawyer.” He has been described by a former Florida Supreme Court Justice as “one of the best legal minds and principled attorneys I have ever known.” He achieved the “AV” ranking, the highest peer review ranking offered by the well-respected Marindale-Hubbell publication, early in his career.


      Edward P. Fleming is a founding partner of the law firm McDonald Fleming Moorhead. He earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Georgia and his bachelor's degree from Georgia State University.

      Ed is involved in numerous legal associations including the Christian Legal Society, Attorney's Counsel for the American Subcontractors Association, and Attorney's Council for Florida Family Research Council. He has been twice appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to serve on the Judicial Nominating Commission for the First District Court of Appeals, a panel that nominates appellate judges. He currently serves as Vice Chairman of that Commission. He has earned an AV® rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating possible given by his peers in the Pensacola area.
      Ed's practice is focused on construction, corporate and business law. Ed's clients have included President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard Cheney whom he had the privilege of representing in a federal action challenging the rejection of hundreds of votes from overseas and military personnel during the 2000 Presidential Election.

Primary Areas of Practice
Construction Law and Litigation, Construction Arbitration, Construction Mediation
Commercial Litigation

Admissions
Admitted to practice law before all Florida Courts, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, and the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

Education
Juris Doctor, Magna Cum Laude, 1986
University of Georgia

B.S., 1974
Georgia State University

Employment
1988 - Present     Partner - McDonald Fleming Moorhead

Professional Associations
Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association
The Florida Bar
Florida Judicial Nominating Commission for the First District Court
of Appeals (Commissioner, Appointed by Governor Jeb Bush)
Christian Legal Society
Rutherford Institute
Attorney's Counsel for the American Subcontractors Association
Attorney's Council for Florida Family Research Council
Florida Council for Construction Specifications Institute

Accomplishments
Phi Kappa Phi
Order of the Coif
R.E. Dorough Scolar, 1984-1986
Jessup International Moot Court Competition, Best Oral Advocate,
Southeast Region, 1985
American Jurisprudence Award in Bankruptcy, Recipient, 1986
Co-Author of CA-8 Expands Reporting Exemption for Church-Affiliated
Organizations, The Journal of Taxation, 1985

“... Although an excellent advocate, he has never misled the Court.  His obvious commitment to honesty and integrity has always been evident to everyone associated with him, whether it is in the practice of law or his personal life.

“He exhibits a degree of maturity and judgment that would serve him well as a member of the judiciary.”        

Colie Nichols, Jr.
County Judge




“I have had the pleasure of practicing in the same areas of law as Ed Fleming for the past fifteen plus years.  In that time, Mr. Fleming and I have have represented clients adverse to one another on dozens of occasions.”

“One intangible that is very important in the public's perception of any judge is that of judicial temperament.  My years in court as a litigator have taught me that, especially from a client's perspective, the manner in which a trial judge handles a case can sometimes be nearly as important as the correctness of the judge's decision.  In observing Mr. Fleming's demeanor towards judges, opposing counsel, opposing clients, and his own clients, I am certain that Mr. Fleming would bring that important balance of justice and respect that is such an important intangible to an effective judiciary.”

Robert  A. Emmanuel, Attorney




“I have known Mr. Fleming for 15 years.  I am familiar with his reputation in the Pensacola community, in the legal community, and among the general public.  I have worked both with Mr. Fleming in representing clients, and on occasion as an adversary of his.  I served as an Arbitrator in a case where represented one of the parties.

Based on my experience with Mr. Fleming as a lawyer, and based on my observation of him in a litigation setting, watching him perform as an attorney, it is my opinion that Mr. Fleming possesses all of the qualifications necessary to make an outstanding judge.”

“In addition to complete honesty, intelligence and legal skills, all of which Mr. Fleming possesses in great quantities, I believe a good judge must also have the ability to be fair and reasonable in judging and deciding issues that come before him, without bias or prejudice of any kind.  I believe Mr. Fleming would be able, without any difficulty or reservation, whatsoever, to treat all people who would come before him on equal footing.”

James M. Wilson, Attorney