Judge William J. Parkhurst: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Biography

Hon. William J. Parkhurst (deceased) was an associate judge for the 16th Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois in Kane County. He was appointed to the bench in February 2012, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Bruce William Lester (Ret.). Parkhurst passed away in August 2022.


He held assignments in the Criminal, Family, and Juvenile Divisions.


Prior to beginning his judicial career, Parkhurst practiced family and juvenile law as an attorney at Johnson, Westra, Broecker, Whittaker & Newitt. Before that, he operated his own law firm in Geneva, having opened his office in 1991.


Parkhurst received a B.A. from Alma College in 1983. He went on to complete a J.D. at Valparaiso University School of Law in 1986. He was admitted to practice in Michigan (1987) and Illinois (1991).


After graduating from law school, Parkhurst began his legal career as a law clerk for a federal magistrate in Michigan.


He served as a volunteer at Prairie State Legal Services and Administer Justice and was a two-time recipient of the Pro Bono of the Year Award by the Court Appointed Special Advocates (2006) and the Kane County Bar Association (2008).

Recent Cases by Hon. William J. Parkhurst

On August 12, 2021 a d - dissolution (with children) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Kane County. Judge William J. Parkhurst presiding.

Filed

Aug 12, 2021

Status

Judgment (Other)

Court

Kane County

County

Kane County, IL

Court Category

D - Dissolution (with children)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 10, 2023

On September 13, 2019 a f - petition for parental responsibility (visitation) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Kane County. Judge William J. Parkhurst presiding.

Filed

Sep 13, 2019

Status

Transfer

Court

Kane County

County

Kane County, IL

Court Category

F - Petition for Parental Responsibility (Visitation)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Custody,Visitation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 04, 2025

On August 16, 2019 a d - dissolution (with children) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Kane County. Judge William J. Parkhurst presiding.

Filed

Aug 16, 2019

Status

Judgment (Other)

Court

Kane County

County

Kane County, IL

Court Category

D - Dissolution (with children)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 31, 2024

On June 26, 2018 a d - dissolution (with children) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Kane County. Judge William J. Parkhurst presiding.

Filed

Jun 26, 2018

Status

Judgment (Other)

Court

Kane County

County

Kane County, IL

Court Category

D - Dissolution (with children)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 29, 2022

On March 1, 2017 a f - civil action to compel case was filed in the jurisdiction of Kane County. Judge William J. Parkhurst presiding.

Filed

Mar 01, 2017

Status

Transfer

Court

Kane County

County

Kane County, IL

Court Category

F - Civil Action to Compel

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 10, 2025

On October 1, 2013 a ch - real estate mortgage foreclosure case was filed in the jurisdiction of Kane County. Judge William J. Parkhurst presiding.

Filed

Oct 01, 2013

Status

Judgment (Other)

Court

Kane County

County

Kane County, IL

Court Category

CH - Real Estate Mortgage Foreclosure

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 13, 2022

On September 30, 2013 a ch - real estate mortgage foreclosure case was filed in the jurisdiction of Kane County. Judge William J. Parkhurst presiding.

Filed

Sep 30, 2013

Status

Judgment (Other)

Court

Kane County

County

Kane County, IL

Court Category

CH - Real Estate Mortgage Foreclosure

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 13, 2022

On December 4, 2012 a ch - real estate mortgage foreclosure case was filed in the jurisdiction of Kane County. Judge William J. Parkhurst presiding.

Filed

Dec 04, 2012

Status

Judgment (Other)

Court

Kane County

County

Kane County, IL

Court Category

CH - Real Estate Mortgage Foreclosure

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 13, 2022

On December 4, 2012 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Kane County. Judge William J. Parkhurst presiding.

Filed

Dec 04, 2012

Court

Kane County

County

Kane County, IL

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 13, 2022

On December 4, 2012 a ch - real estate mortgage foreclosure case was filed in the jurisdiction of Kane County. Judge William J. Parkhurst presiding.

Filed

Dec 04, 2012

Status

Judgment (Other)

Court

Kane County

County

Kane County, IL

Court Category

CH - Real Estate Mortgage Foreclosure

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 13, 2022

On December 4, 2012 a ch - real estate mortgage foreclosure case was filed in the jurisdiction of Kane County. Judge William J. Parkhurst presiding.

Filed

Dec 04, 2012

Status

Judgment (Other)

Court

Kane County

County

Kane County, IL

Court Category

CH - Real Estate Mortgage Foreclosure

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 13, 2022

On February 8, 2012 a f - parent child relationship case was filed in the jurisdiction of Kane County. Judge William J. Parkhurst presiding.

Filed

Feb 08, 2012

Status

Judgment (Other)

Court

Kane County

County

Kane County, IL

Court Category

F - Parent Child Relationship

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Other Parent-Child

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 03, 2025

On July 9, 2003 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Kane County. Judge William J. Parkhurst presiding.

Filed

Jul 09, 2003

Court

Kane County

County

Kane County, IL

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 29, 2022