Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver prides itself on its 160-year history and its long line of distinguished lawyers, many of whom have served as legislators, judges and justices and as general counsel for major corporations which traces its beginnings to 1845 when the original founder, congressman and state legislator John T. Harris began to practice law.

Our practice developed in the Shenandoah Valley, from Roanoke to Winchester, and has developed to the point that we now serve clients in Virginia, West Virginia, and many Mid-Atlantic states. Our size and location, and the qualifications of our personnel, place the firm in an exceptional position to efficiently and professionally serve the wide-ranging legal needs of a varied clientele. 

The following timeline highlights some of the firm’s major developments, showing the many individuals who have contributed to our success.

• 1845 - The firm’s history begins with its original founder, John T. Harris. A future congressman and state legislator, Mr. Harris begins his career by opening a law office in Harrisonburg.
  
• 1852-1859 - Mr. Harris serves as Commonwealth’s Attorney for Rockingham County.
  
• 1859-1861 - Elected to the Thirty-Sixth United States Congress, Mr. Harris serves until the outbreak of the Civil War. Despite his Unionist sentiments, Mr. Harris maintains his loyalty to Virginia when she secedes in April of 1861. Following the war, he is elected judge of the 12th judicial circuit, which includes Rockingham County.
  
• 1870 - Mr. Harris is again elected to Congress.
  
• 1881 - After serving in Congress from 1871 to 1881, Mr. Harris resumes his law practice in Harrisonburg. At that time, he is joined by his son, John T. Harris, Jr., a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law. The law firm of Harris & Harris is created.
  
• 1887 - George E. Sipe joins the firm, creating the law firm of Sipe & Harris.
  
• 1899 - John T. Harris, Sr., dies on October 14, 1899.
  
• 1928 - Upon Mr. Sipe’s retirement in 1928, John T. Harris, Jr. is joined by John Paul, a man whose military and political accomplishments have already established him as a public figure. A graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, Mr. Paul had been a Captain in World War I, served in the State senate, served as city attorney for Harrisonburg, and served in the United States Congress. The firm’s name changes to Harris & Paul.
  
• 1932 - Mr. Paul leaves the firm after being appointed Federal Judge for the Western District of Virginia, a position he maintains until his retirement in 1959.
  
• 1934 - Mr. Harris, again practicing alone, invites George S. Aldhizer, II to join the practice, creating the firm of Harris & Aldhizer. During his career, Mr. Aldhizer will serve as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates for three years and in the Virginia State Senate for 21 years until 1975.
  
• 1936 - John T. Harris, Jr., dies. He is replaced by William W. Wharton, a law school acquaintance of Mr. Aldhizer’s at the University of Virginia. The firm becomes Wharton & Aldhizer.
  
• 1941 - Russell M. Weaver joins Mr. Aldhizer and Mr. Wharton, establishing the law firm of Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver.
  
• 1958 - George R. Aldhizer, Jr. (George S. Aldhizer, II's first cousin) joins the firm.
  
• 1985-1986 - This two-year period marks the passing of Mr. Wharton, Mr. Aldhizer, and Mr. Weaver. The firm retains its name.
  
• 1988 - The firm moves to its current office at 100 South Mason Street in Harrisonburg.
  
• 2003 - Lexington office opens at 15-E North Randolph Street.
  
• 2004 - Staunton office opens at 125 South Augusta Street, Suite 2000.