Webber & Thies attorney Hon. David Bernthal received an elite recognition from the Champaign County Bar Association last night. Along with retired Judge Ann Einhorn, Attorneys David A. Bailie, William L. Hatch, Francis J. Jahn, James Cannon Kearns (awarded posthumously), and Frederick C. Stavins, he was named a Pillar of the Bar. This is the ninth and largest group of inductees. The honor is bestowed on Champaign County Bar Association lawyers and judges who exemplify professional excellence, dedication to the advancement of the bar, and a high level of community leadership.
Judge Bernthal spent eight years as an associate circuit judge in Vermilion County, and another 21 as a federal magistrate judge for the Central District of Illinois. Following his retirement from the bench in 2016, Judge Bernthal joined our firm, with a focus on alternative dispute resolution and litigation.
Judge Bernthal is the sixth Webber & Thies attorney to be named a Pillar of the Bar with Richard Thies recognized in 2006, Carl Webber in 2013, David Thies in 2017, Rita Garman in 2017, and John Thies in 2022.