Snell, Frank L., Jr., 1899-1994

Prominent Phoenix lawyer; founding partner of Snell & Wilmer law offices.

Frank Linn Snell was born in Kansas City, Missouri on December 23, 1899. While working in his father's grocery store as a boy, he attended the Kansas City public schools. In 1924 Snell received his law degree from the University of Kansas. Upon graduation Snell moved to Miami, Arizona, where he established an independent practice on the advice of his uncle. While in Miami, Snell met and married Elizabeth Berlin. The couple had two children, daughter Kathryn and son Richard.

In 1927 the family moved to Phoenix, where Snell became a partner in the law firm of Elliot & Snell. In 1934, Elliot entered semi-retirement and Snell took over the practice. With the expansion of the law firm Snell decided it was time to seek an attorney with courtroom experience. Upon the recommendation of three Maricopa County Superior Court judges, Snell formed a partnership with Mark Wilmer and established the law firm of Snell & Wilmer. Snell handled most of the firm's business and commercial aspects while Wilmer served as the firm's trial lawyer.

The Snell & Wilmer LLP Law Offices are still in existence and include offices in California, Utah, Colorado, and Nevada. During Snell's time with the firm he led a group of citizens to secure the resignations of the Mayor and Chief of Police of Phoenix, both of whom were perceived as corrupt. The political situation threatened Phoenix's growth, which was increasing due to the influx of war veterans and their families. Snell also facilitated the merger of the state's two major utility companies to form the Arizona Public Service Company and acquired agreements for the firm's industrial clients outside Phoenix city limits. Finally, the firm handled one of the state's most important lawsuits, Arizona v. California, in the United States Supreme Court. This case secured Arizona's rights to the waters of the Colorado River.

Snell's personal achievements are documented in the activities he participated in outside of Snell & Wilmer. Soon after his move to Phoenix, Snell became friends with Gene Pulliam (owner of The Phoenix Gazette and The Arizona Republic ) and Walter Bimson (chief of Valley National Bank). These men comprised the Big Three and went on to found the Phoenix 40. With the establishment of these relationships, Snell had a significant impact on Arizona's civic affairs. Some of his accomplishments include founding the American Graduate School of International Management and serving as chairman of the Civic Plaza Art Enrichment Committee. Snell also served as president, director, committee member, and volunteer for many prominent Arizona organizations. His numerous awards include being one of the first inductees to the Arizona Business Hall of Fame in 1987. In 1992, Snell received the Arizona Heritage Award from the Arizona Chamber of Commerce.

While Snell reduced his role in Snell & Wilmer throughout the years, he would still go to his office on a daily basis and continued to participate in organizational and volunteer work. Betty (Berlin) Snell died of cancer in 1983 and Frank Snell married Mary Jean Thompson (who had a daughter, Kirstin, from a previous relationship) in 1987. Snell passed away on September 5, 1994 at the age of 94 and was an active member of the community until two weeks before his death. He was survived by his wife Mary Jean, children Kathryn and Richard, step-daughter Kirstin, six grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

Sources:

Snell biography housed in collection.

Wagner, D. and Dricks, V. Frank Snell Dies; Longtime Valley Leader: Civic Giant was Arizona's most powerful man ever. The Phoenix Gazette September 7, 1994: A1+.