History

Firm founder, John T. Harris opens his practice in Harrisonburg, VA, representing a diversity of clients and cases.

George S. Aldhizer, Jr., of Broadway, VA, joins the firm to work real estate, estate, and corporation cases. Mr. Aldhizer later pursued a political career serving as a Virginia Delegate and State Senator for 24 years, combined. He was a founder and former president of Rocco Feeds, Inc., and a Senior Vice President of ComSonics, Inc.

William W. Wharton of West Virginia joins the firm to focus on insurance casework. In the 1960s, he becomes the only member of the local bar to be elected to the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Wharton & Aldhizer represents Scott H. Barber against industry titan, Textile Machine Works, over the death of his sister and two friends in an automobile accident. The court finds the driver of Textile Machine Works at fault, bringing national attention to the legal team at Wharton & Aldhizer.

Rockingham County native, Russel M. Weaver, joins the firm to handle a wide range of cases. He is much respected for his contributions to the Shenandoah Valley community and for serving as Commissioner of Accounts of the Circuit Court of Rockingham County.

Donald “Don” E. Showalter joins the firm and in 1971 wins national prestige over his legal brief submitted to the United States Supreme Court, which makes a case for religious schools to operate independently.

The firm continues to expand its defense practice hiring additional attorneys.  Several of these individuals later accepted leadership roles in the community, including the President of Bridgewater College.

Don Showalter takes part in the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case, Wisconsin vs. Yoder, defending an Amish group’s right to operate their schools. His brief defending the free expression of religion was critical to the Supreme Court’s decision to side with the Amish community.

Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver builds its current office space on Mason Street in Harrisonburg, VA to accommodate a growing firm.

Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver opens up an office in Staunton, VA.

Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver successfully challenged Virginia’s so-called ‘Incumbent Protection Act’ on First Amendment grounds, vindicating the right of political parties to determine the method by which they nominate their candidates, and successfully defends that decision on appeal before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

WAW welcomes the team from Waynesboro law firm, Allen & Carwile, to Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver. This expansion provides WAW with a physical presence in Waynesboro and a committed and local team with deep roots in the community.