In 1979, Tom Johnson was an Assistant State’s Attorney and John Westra was an Assistant Public Defender. They became friends while opposing each other in court and decided to form a Christian law firm. Johnson & Westra, as it was first known, opened its doors in 1979 in the former Chicago Aurora and Elgin Railroad building on Willow Street in Wheaton just down the street from the beautiful 19th-century Courthouse building. Don Whittaker and Stan Austin joined the firm as associates and eventually became partners.
The firm has always had a suburban general practice. Its lawyers handle wills and trusts, probate, family law, criminal defense, real estate, business formation, civil litigation, appeals, personal injury and other legal matters that most any suburban individual, family or small to medium business might need.
In 1987 Tim Newitt was associated with a downtown Chicago commercial law firm that needed to move its west suburban office. There was space available in the law firm then known as Johnson, Westra, Whittaker & Austin. Tim moved into the building and then joined the firm as an associate in October of 1988. Tim’s arrival strengthened the firm’s commercial litigation practice. He also did family law, contested probate and other forms of civil litigation as well as appeals.
In 1990 the firm began hearing from Tim’s old high school friend Howard Broecker. In August of 1990 Howard merged his practice with the firm and Tim became a partner. The firm then became known as Johnson Westra Broecker Whittaker Austin and Newitt, P.C. Howard brought to the firm his practice concentrating in family law headquartered in Kane County. At this time, it could be said that the firm’s practice stretched from the Fox Valley to the lakefront as it does today
In 1990, Stan Austin was appointed Associate Judge of the 18th judicial circuit. The firm celebrated his ascension to the bench but missed their former partner. It was then that the firm changed its name to Johnson Westra Broecker Whittaker & Newitt, P.C. as it is still known today.
For some time, Bill Parkhurst had his law office in the Geneva building owned by Howard Broecker. Howard recognized the talent possessed by this young lawyer and hired him as an associate. Bill’s practice was also concentrated in family law. The firm was now on the road to becoming a powerhouse in family law in the entire Chicago area. Eventually Bill became a partner in the firm. The firm’s practice continued to grow.
In 1992, Tom Johnson was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives, taking office in January 1993, where he served as he served as chairman of the House Judiciary – Criminal Law Committee in the 89th General Assembly. During his tenure, Tom has many achievements including the enactment of the Truth in Sentencing Law. After leaving office in 2003, he was appointed to the llinois Prisoner Review Board, where he heard from prisoners and guards and investigated operational problems at the Illinois Department of Corrections. Tom was appointed to the Illinois State Senate in 2011, where he served until 2013.
In the fall of 2006, tragedy struck. After a long and illustrious career as a family law trial lawyer, Howard had finally announced his retirement. Shortly thereafter, he was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor. A year later he died. He is mourned by his wife Candace, his many friends and his law partners.
In January of 2012, Bill Parkhurst and Tim were in the midst of trial of a divorce case in Kane County. Bill showed Tim an email he had just received from the Chief Judge. At the break in the trial, Bill met the Chief Judge in the hall and learned that his application was successful. Shortly thereafter, the firm celebrated the second ascension of one of its partners to the bench. The judges of the 16th Circuit could not have picked a better candidate.
In the summer of 2010, the firm engaged Megan Raymond as a summer law clerk. After her excellent performance, she was brought on as an attorney in 2013. Megan does a variety of legal work including real estate, family law and estate planning.
Tim Newitt retired in 2018. Don Whittaker retired in 2021.
With John Westra and Megan Raymond, the firm continues its long tradition of serving clients with integrity, clarity of mind and God-centered compassion.