Archive for category: Accomplishments

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.

After nearly 59 years, Donald E. Showalter has decided to retire from his law practice. A life-long resident of the Shenandoah Valley, Don began practicing law in 1965 at Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver PLC. The firm appreciates his dedication to serving his clients in our community for nearly six decades. His primary years of practice were spent handling business law transactions and estate and trust matters. In addition, in 1972 Don was honored to have submitted a his friend-of-the-court brief to the United States Supreme Court in support of the Mennonite Church in the case of Wisconsin vs Yoder.

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