Ward, Murray, Pace & Johnson

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Ward, Murray, Pace & Johnson Ward, Murray, Pace & Johnson, P.C. is a full-service, civil practice law firm providing legal services Founded in 1862, Ward, Murray, Pace & Johnson, P.C.

consists of 13 attorneys providing legal services in the areas of personal injury, workers' compensation, employment, probate, real estate, estate planning, hospitals, schools, municipalities, state and federal civil litigation, bankruptcy/creditor rights, banking, insurance, domestic relations, adoption, corporations, tax, labor, environmental and pension and
profit sharing.

On October 1, 2026, WMPJ Partner Trent Bush was honored to attend the Illinois Supreme Court Committee, Commission, & Bo...
10/02/2026

On October 1, 2026, WMPJ Partner Trent Bush was honored to attend the Illinois Supreme Court Committee, Commission, & Board Leadership Summit in Chicago. The Summit was hosted by the Hon. P. Scott Neville, Jr., Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, and brought together Supreme Court Justices, committee chairs and vice chairs, executive directors, and leadership from the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts.

The Summit provided an opportunity to share information, support the work of the Court’s committees, and promote collaboration among the various committees, commissions, and boards serving the Illinois judicial system.

Trent currently serves as Vice Chair of the Illinois Supreme Court’s e-Business Policy Advisory Board, chaired by the Hon. Cynthia Grant, Clerk of the Supreme Court. Trent has served on the Board and its predecessor since 2011 and has served on several other Illinois Supreme Court and Illinois Judicial Conference boards and task forces over the years.

Trent’s involvement in legal technology also includes more than 25 years of service on the Illinois State Bar Association’s Committee on Legal Technology, which he joined in 2001, as well as service on the ISBA’s Standing Committee on Artificial Intelligence since its founding in 2025.

09/18/2026

WMPJ's annual Financial Insitution Seminar - September 10, 2026

On September 10, 2026, WMPJ was proud to host our annual Financial Institution Seminar for our financial institution cli...
09/18/2026

On September 10, 2026, WMPJ was proud to host our annual Financial Institution Seminar for our financial institution clients. More than 40 attendees representing 11 local financial institutions joined us for presentations and discussions on legal developments and trends affecting the financial services industry.

Several attorneys from WMPJ’s Financial Institution Practice Group presented at this year’s seminar, including Tim Zollinger, Trent Bush, Matt Cole, Ryan Olson, and Maverik Good.

And to make sure the day wasn’t all work and no play, several attendees and WMPJ attorneys enjoyed an afternoon of golf following the seminar and lunch.

We appreciate everyone who joined us this year and the opportunity to work with financial institutions throughout our local communities. We look forward to continuing those relationships in the year ahead and seeing many familiar faces again at next year’s seminar!

Our offices will be closed for Labor Day on Monday, September 7.
09/03/2026

Our offices will be closed for Labor Day on Monday, September 7.

On August 21, 2026, WMPJ rolled up our sleeves and proudly hosted another ImpactLife Blood Drive! Thank you to the eight...
08/26/2026

On August 21, 2026, WMPJ rolled up our sleeves and proudly hosted another ImpactLife Blood Drive!

Thank you to the eight donors who took the time to participate and help support our local blood supply. Each donation can make a meaningful difference for patients in need, and we are grateful to everyone who joined us for this drive.

WMPJ is proud to support organizations like ImpactLife and initiatives that make a positive difference in the communities we serve.

Thank you to our donors and to ImpactLife for helping make this blood drive a success. Stay tuned to this page for opportunities to donate for future blood drives.

On August 6, 2026, WMPJ had the pleasure of gathering with our team, family, friends, and the community at Candlelight i...
08/18/2026

On August 6, 2026, WMPJ had the pleasure of gathering with our team, family, friends, and the community at Candlelight in Rock Falls to welcome one of our newest associate attorneys, Emily Buikema.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to join us for the occasion. We enjoyed great conversations, familiar faces, new connections, and the opportunity to introduce Emily to our guests.

We are excited to have Emily as part of the WMPJ team and are grateful for the continued support of the communities we are proud to serve.

Please join us in welcoming Emily to WMPJ!

WMPJ was proud to be a part of the Whiteside County Bar Association’s Annual Golf Outing on August 7! We had a great gro...
08/11/2026

WMPJ was proud to be a part of the Whiteside County Bar Association’s Annual Golf Outing on August 7! We had a great group representing WMPJ on the course, including attorneys Trent Bush, Matthew Cole, Ryan Olson, Maverik Good, Emily Buikema, and Faith Sandrock-Dambman, along with law clerks Logan Wheeler and McKenna Dayhuff. Two wonderful legal assistants, Jackie Damhoff and Angela Wiebenga, also attended and helped the event run smoothly. WMPJ attorneys Maverik Good and John Kavanagh serve as treasurer and secretary for the WCBA, respectively.

We’re always grateful for the opportunity to participate in this event and spend the day connecting with colleagues and representatives from businesses we often work with, including the outing’s sponsors from Central Bank, Farmers National Bank, Kenzley Title, and HBW Title Group.

It was a beautiful day for golf, good company, and a little friendly competition! We’re already looking forward to another great outing next year!

WMPJ's Offices will be closed Friday, July 3 to celebrate with our families. From the Attorneys and Staff, Have a Safe a...
06/29/2026

WMPJ's Offices will be closed Friday, July 3 to celebrate with our families. From the Attorneys and Staff, Have a Safe and Happy Independence Day!

CANCELLED: Due to unforeseen circumstances, this has been rescheduled by ImpactLife for Friday, August 21 from 9a-1p. We...
06/24/2026

CANCELLED: Due to unforeseen circumstances, this has been rescheduled by ImpactLife for Friday, August 21 from 9a-1p. We will update the public once we have the new links for those who would like to sign. Thanks!

WMPJ is honored again this year to support a community blood drive. To help make a meaningful difference, WMPJ is partnering with Impact Life to support the local blood supply for patients in need throughout our region.

Every donation collected helps strengthen the local blood supply and directly supports patients when they need it most. We truly appreciate each donor who has already signed up or is planning to participate. Your generosity helps save lives and creates a lasting impact for our community.

A few appointment times are still available for anyone who would like to join. Sign up today to reserve your spot on Friday, June 26, from 9a-1p at our Sterling office, in the parking lot adjacent to our building. To sign up for an appointment, go to this link: https://login.bloodcenter.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/149038

What a week of community involvement for our WMPJ team! We love seeing our people out and about, connecting with the com...
06/23/2026

What a week of community involvement for our WMPJ team! We love seeing our people out and about, connecting with the communities we serve.

On June 12, Attorney Emily Buikema and law clerks Logan Wheeler, McKenna Dayhuff, and Jack Bontjes hit the course at the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce 60th Annual Golf Outing at Deer Valley Golf Course. As a proud SVACC Board Member, Emily Buikema was happy to support these events with proceeds benefitting the Charles Farnham Business Scholarship and chamber operations.

On June 17, Attorney Trent Bush and legal assistant Jackie Damhoff joined in the fun at the W**esday Wednesday W**e Walk in Downtown Morrison, enjoying great community vibes, shopping, serving up some tasty sangria along with many other community businesses.

We look forward to seeing you at one of the many community events we'll be attending or sponsoring this summer!

Address

202 E 5th Street
Sterling, IL
61081

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+18156258200

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