Faculty and Administration Profiles

John Whitcomb

About

John W. Whitcomb joined Monahan Law Group, LLC, on January 5, 2015.  Mr. Whitcomb became a partner at Monahan Law Group in 2018.  Mr. Whitcomb specializes in involuntary commitment actions in Mental Health Court, guardianship and probate matters, and various litigation involving individual with mental illness and intellectual disabilities. Mr. Whitcomb has an extensive appellate practice including having argued Warga v. Warga, 2015 IL App (1st) 151182, which determined the standing of parties seeking a divorce on behalf of a disabled person.

Mr. Whitcomb has over 25 years of experience representing clients in State and Federal trial and appellate court. Prior to joining Monahan Law Group, Mr. Whitcomb was a Senior Attorney at Equip for Equality. 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.

Mr. Whitcomb 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 and currently Vice-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.

Mr. Whitcomb 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. 

Courses Taught

Mental Health Law and Children