Parker County Today September 2018 | Page 46

LEGAL EAGLES John Westhoff — Old-School Integrity, Cutting-Edge Techniques 44 Parker County Attorney John Westhoff has presided over the law firm of Borden & Westhoff for the past two decades, but joined the firm in 1974, just out of law school. He began as a protégé to his famous uncle, and the firm’s founder, Jack Borden. From the moment Westhoff joined the firm, it was apparent that he was no ordinary young lawyer. Like Borden before him, Westhoff works tirelessly and fighting unwaveringly for his clients. Clearly, the two were cut from the same cloth. Borden worked tirelessly for his clients until the age of 103. “Jack based his life on the principle and prem- ise of trying to help people,” Westhoff said. Clearly, Westhoff learned from the best. Westhoff is an attorney that business leaders have come to turn to for help when they had legal issues of almost any ilk from contracts to divorces. Westhoff quickly moved from being a protégé to a mentor and has gone on to become one of the firm’s greatest assets and known throughout Texas as a legal force to be reckoned with. He is a dynamic, highly sought after attorney and has built a solid reputation. He is known as the lawyer to seek out for cases you absolutely want and need to win. “He’s an unbelievable lawyer, the best I’ve ever seen,” said Charlie Gilchrist, CEO of Southwest Auto Group and a longtime client and friend. “He is the most thorough lawyer I’ve ever worked with.” Westhoff’s understanding of law is vast and admirable but when combined with his practical understanding of the world of commerce, he’s formidable. “He’s great in the court- room and has a great business mind. His willingness in the courtroom to fight and to win is what makes him great. He absolutely wants to win.” Westhoff and wife Sue Ann are also an effective team, working sedulously for causes that improve the education, culture and quality of life in Weatherford and Parker County. “He has served our city in so many ways, includ- ing as a member of The Parker County Sheriff’s Posse, the Weatherford ISD Education Foundation, and Civic Development,” said Zan Prince, a long-time friend and client. “The best thing about John Westhoff is that he is a truly good person who does the next right thing for the people and causes that he serves.” Some of the projects the Westhoff’s have supported include the Texas Pythian Home, Weatherford ISD in various capacities (Campus Improvement Team, District Improvement Team, Project Graduation for six years), and the Westhoff’s were founding members of the Education Foundation Board. For good reason, both their children — daughter Paige and son John Trenton received their primary education in the Weatherford Independent School District. Paige earned her degree from Texas A & M University and is now an executive recruiter in Dallas. Trent is a Commander in the Navy at Corpus Christi, in charge of training the flight wing. The Former Protégé Becomes a Mentor In 2014, Nicholas Harper joined the firm, having obtained his license to practice law in November of 2013. Harper graduated from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland in 2003 and upon graduation, fulfilled his military commitment through service in the United States Marine Corps. Harper served one tour of duty in Afghanistan and achieved the rank of captain before his discharge. After his discharge from the military, Harper attend- ed the Arlington Police Academy, where he graduated first in his class. At that time, he began a career in law enforcement with the Arlington Police Department, and while work- ing full time as a police officer, Harper attended law school at Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, Texas, graduating second in his class. “Nick shares the same integrity, honesty, and drive of those who came before him,” Westhoff said. “As a result of our heritage, along with the leadership, and guidance of those that came before us, the law firm continues its practice, with its primary goal to provide quality representation to its clients.” The Borden & Westhoff law firm is known to be a highly successful litigation team. From large corpora- tions to small businesses, as well as individual clients, the staff of Borden & Westhoff is committed to serve its clients with the utmost integrity and dedication for a positive resolution in their favor. John and Sue Ann Westhoff recently celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary. They continue to be strong pillars in the community. Today, as in the decades past, the firm of Borden & Westhoff is known as standard bearer in the legal com- munity, of not only Parker County but also across the state of Texas. LEGAL EAGLES