Adams, Umbach, Davidson & White traces its roots to the law practice of Jacob Walker, Sr. Jacob Walker, Sr. graduated from Alabama Polytechnic Institute, what is now Auburn University, in 1908 and then attended the University of Chicago Law School. After graduating from the University of Chicago Law School, Mr. Walker, a native of Alexander City, returned to his home town to practice law. In 1915, Mr. Walker moved his young law practice from Alexander City, Alabama to Opelika, Alabama and began practicing law with Reid Barnes. In the late 1930's, Mr. Walker bought a vacant lot next to the Lee County Courthouse where the firm’s current office is located. In 1940, the firm’s current office building was constructed. In the newspaper article announcing the construction of the office building by Mr. Walker, it was reported that the “blue prints of the new Walker Building indicate that Opelika will have one of its handsomest business structures” in the region and that the plans for the interior were of the “very latest designs for the elegant furnishings to be arranged.” The article continued to explain that the building “will be strikingly beautiful, one of the finest designed of any building in the city. When completed, this will make a wonderful improvement in the courthouse block.”

In 1948, Mr. Walker was joined in the practice of law by his son, Jacob Walker, Jr., and they began practicing law under the name of Walker & Walker. Phil Adams joined the firm in 1969, and Arnold Umbach joined the firm in 1971. Phil Adams and Arnold Umbach continued to practice law with Jacob Walker, Jr. until his retirement in December of 2001. In 2002, the firm changed its name to its current name of Adams, Umbach, Davidson & White, and its members continue to practice in the same “strikingly beautiful” Opelika location.