John W. Whitcomb

John W. Whitcomb joined Monahan Law Group, LLC on January 5, 2015 and became a partner in 2018.

Mr. Whitcomb has over 30 years of experience representing clients in State and Federal trial and appellate court. At Monahan Law Group, Mr. Whitcomb is part of the mental health team that concentrates on questions regarding the Mental Health Code and representing clients in the State Mental Health court. Mr. Whitcomb also focuses on questions or confidentiality of records. John also heads the appellate practice for Monahan Law Group, including guardianship appeals, decedent's appeals and other appellate matters regarding confidentiality of records. Mr. Whitcomb has represented clients and organizations in both direct appellate litigation and amicus briefs.

Prior to joining Monahan Law Group, LLC, Mr. Whitcomb was a Senior Attorney at Equip for Equality for 15 years. In his capacity as Senior Attorney, Mr. Whitcomb represented clients in issues relating to guardianship, the Illinois Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act, the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code, and community placement of disabled individuals in the community. Mr. Whitcomb argued before the appellate court the seminal guardianship case, In Re Estate of K.E.J., on forced sterilization that eventually became the basis for the Illinois Statute, 755 ILCS 5/11a-17.1. Mr. Whitcomb also represented clients in abuse and neglect proceedings in juvenile court.

John was class counsel is several class actions regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including Access Living of Metropolitan Chicago v. Chicago Transit Authority, Ligas v. Maram, and Williams v. Quinn.

Mr. Whitcomb is the recipient of the 2012 Recipient of Access Living's "Lead On!" Award, and LAF's 1996 and 1994 Equal Justice Award. Mr. Whitcomb is the former Chair of the Chicago Bar Association's Mental Health and Disability Law Committee. Mr. Whitcomb has a Teacher Training Certificate with the National Institute of Trial Advocacy and has trained other lawyers in trial advocacy and deposition taking. John teaches Mental Health Law for Children as an adjunct faculty member at Loyola University Chicago School of Law.

John has made numerous presentations on Guardianship, Advance Directives and the Mental Health Code. He has also lectured on issues regarding the American with Disabilities Act, Sexuality and the Nature of Consent, and Ethics.

Mr. Whitcomb is a graduate of Tulane Law School where he was a member of the Environmental Law Clinic. Prior to attending law school, Mr. Whitcomb graduated from Oberlin College where he majored in English and History.