The firm started in 1965 with an alliance between two law school friends.  As the story goes, Dale Shumway and David Udall agreed to flip a coin to determine the name and location of the new partnership.  Mr. Udall won both tosses and the Law Offices of Udall and Shumway were established in the City of Mesa.  To this day, Mr. Shumway still claims Mr. Udall used a two-headed coin.

The first office was located above a drug store, on the second floor of 41 East Main Street.  The original building was torn down many years ago and the Mesa Fine Arts Center is now located at the site. 

By 1968, the criminal and civil practice had grown enough that more staff and space were needed.  Dennis Blackhurst was brought on as a partner and the firm relocated to the Valley Bank Building at 13 N. MacDonald.  The name was changed to Udall, Shumway & Blackhurst, the first of many name changes.

In 1971, Robert Bentley joined the firm to handle business and estate planning and Dale Shumway opened a satellite office in Tempe at 64 E. Broadway.  Merle Allen joined in 1972, focusing on insurance defense and general litigation.  The firm name changed to Udall, Shumway, Blackhurst, Allen and Bentley.  With additional growth expected, a larger single location was desired.  Planning for a new office began. 

John Lyons joined the firm in 1973, focusing on insurance defense and general litigation practices with Merle Allen.  The name was changed again to Udall, Shumway, Blackhurst, Allen, Bentley & Lyons.  Shortly thereafter, construction began on a new office in central Mesa.  On October 28, 1974, the firm moved to its current location at 30 West First Street.

The 1980s saw changes in the name and partners of the firm as it continued to grow, reaching 20 attorneys in 1990.  In 1991, a satellite office was opened in Willcox to extend the reach of the School Law Department into southeast Arizona.  Merle Allen retired in 1996, followed by Dennis Blackhurst in 2001, at which time the firm changed to its current name of Udall, Shumway & Lyons.  John Lyons retired in 2004.  Dale Shumway and David Udall became Of-Counsel in 2000 and are still involved in the firm.

After more than 40 years, the firm remains committed to its tradition of providing excellent legal assistance to its clients and the community it serves.