Archive for category: Accomplishments

After 42 successful years as a trial lawyer, Frank Hilton, a Partner at Wharton, Aldhizer & Weaver (WAW), has retired from the practice of law. Frank was a Partner at WAW for over thirty years.

Frank attended the Virginia Military Institute for his undergraduate degree and graduated with high honors in 1980. After receiving his law degree from Wake Forest University in 1983, he served as a trial lawyer in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps before joining Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver in 1986. At WAW, Frank focused his career on the areas of personal injury and medical malpractice. He tried over 100 cases and is recognized as one of the top trial and medical malpractice attorneys in Virginia. Frank had many multi-million dollar judgments in his clients’ favor. In addition to his success in the courtroom, he served as President of the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys, in addition to numerous other VADA leadership positions, on numerous committees of the Virginia State Bar, and as an instructor for the Professionalism Course of the Virginia State Bar. He was recognized as one of Virginia’s Legal Elite, Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers year after year and served for twenty-five years as an invited member of the Boyd-Graves Conference, which recommends substantive law changes to the Supreme Court of Virginia and the General Assembly.

The firm’s Managing Partner, Derek J. Brostek, said “Frank has been an invaluable member of WAW for over 30 years, providing our clients in the Valley and all across Virginia with zealous and top-notch legal advocacy. While we will greatly miss his experience and knowledge, we wish him well in retirement.”

After 51 years, G. William “Bill” Watkins has decided to retire from his law practice. He joined Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver in 2023, bringing his significant legal expertise and strong community relationships to his role with the firm. Bill was born and raised in Waynesboro and attended the University of Virginia for his undergraduate degree. After attending the T.C. Williams School of Law of the University of Richmond, Bill returned to Waynesboro to establish his legal career. He served as a Partner at Allen & Dalton, which merged with another firm to become Allen & Carwile in 1987. During his tenure at Allen & Carwile, Bill established himself as a committed community leader, serving as legal advisor to the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge since its inception and on its Board for six years, serving as President for two years. He has also served as outside counsel for many long-standing public and private entities in Waynesboro and Augusta County.

The firm’s Managing Partner, Humes J. “Tripp” Franklin, said “We owe a lot of gratitude to Bill for his many years of dedicated service to his clients and our community. We wish him well during his retirement.”

On Friday, June 13th, G. William “Bill” Watkins was presented with the Tradition of Excellence Award at the Virginia State Bar’s Annual Meeting.  The award recognizes a Virginia lawyer who “embodies the highest tradition of personal and professional excellence in Virginia, enhances the image and esteem of attorneys in the Commonwealth, and has devoted significant amounts of time, efforts, and/or funds to activities that benefit their community.”

Bill is a lifelong resident of Waynesboro and attended the University of Virginia for his undergraduate degree and the University of Richmond for his law degree.  He has practiced law in the Waynesboro area since 1973.

Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver PLC is pleased to announce that Emily M. Gindhart, Esq. has been named as the next President-Elect of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Bar Association.  Her term as President-Elect will begin July 1.  She will assume the role of President on July 1, 2026.  Emily joins an elite group of other WAW attorneys to have previously filled this role.  Established in 1928, the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Bar Association is dedicated to serving our community through its pro bono work, promotion of reform in the law and in judicial procedure and strengthening connections among its members.

Emily joined WAW after graduating from the University of Richmond School of Law.  She focuses her practice in the areas of Corporate Law, Bankruptcy and Civil Litigation.   WAW has been serving national, regional and local clients since 1845.