The Wheeless, Shappley, Bailess and Rector law firm will move its offices from the top floor of the Trustmark building at Washington and Clay streets into space at the BancorpSouth building at South and Monroe streets, a partner in the firm said Thursday.

Ken Rector said a contract to renovate the top floor at BancorpSouth will be entered and the firm will move within 60 days. The move was prompted by renovations under way at the Trustmark building, which will convert that space into residential units.

The firm, which employs nine people, has been a tenant at the Washington and Clay location since the building was built in 1905. The firm actually predates the building, beginning in 1878 as Birchett & Gilland. Its present partners have practiced together since 1996.

Trustmark banking services will remain open on the structure’s main floor during and after the conversion to The Residences at The First National Bank, a nod to the bank’s name before a merger with Trustmark. It will result in 62 living spaces inside one of Vicksburg’s tallest structures.

Contact Danny Barrett Jr. at dbarrett@vicksburgpost.com