CWS HeritageTradition of ExcellenceChester Willcox & Saxbe, LLP traces its origins to 1884, when John Jonas Chester, a prominent lawyer and businessman, began his practice in Columbus. His son, John J. Chester, Jr., who during his career served as Columbus' Police (City) Prosecutor and Franklin County Prosecutor, joined him in 1931. Senior Partner, John J. "Jack" Chester, a three-term state representative and special counsel to the President of the United States in 1974-75, became a member of the firm in 1948. Jack and his sons, John, Jr. and James J., continue the Chester tradition in the firm.
In 1971, the Chester firm merged with the law firm of Willcox, Park and Hoffman to become "Chester, Hoffman, Park, Willcox and Rose", and considerably expanded the firm's business, real estate, and probate practice. The addition of the Saxbe family to the firm in 1977 helped the law firm gain broader recognition for its litigation, legislative, and government work. William B. Saxbe has years of public service as Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, Ohio Attorney General, U.S. Senator, U.S. Attorney General, and U.S. Ambassador to India. Charles Rockwell "Rocky" Saxbe served eight years in the Ohio General Assembly. In 1994, the firm became, as it is now known, "Chester Willcox & Saxbe, LLP ".
Over the course of more than 100 years of practice, the firm has produced many leaders in the law, civic affairs, and public service. The firm's tradition of public service remains strong with many of its lawyers involved in important professional, civic, governmental, and charitable activities. Furthermore, a number of the firm's current or former attorneys hold or have held public office, in positions such as Lieutenant Governor, State Senator, State Representative, Judge, and Ohio Supreme Court Justice.