A St. Charles-based attorney has been appointed as an associate judge in the 16th Judicial Circuit. Bill Parkhurst is scheduled to begin his new position on Feb. 21.

Parkhurst, 51, is a Batavia resident and a partner in the firm of Johnson, Westra, Broecker, Whittaker and Newitt, which has an office in St. Charles. He was selected from a field of 41 candidates.

"I was very excited to have the opportunity, the chance to work with people who I think are just some of the best people that I know," Parkhurst said.

Parkhurst has been active in providing free legal services for low-income litigants. In 2006, he was named the Pro Bono Attorney of the Year by the Court Appointed Special Advocates and in 2008, he earned the same honor from the Kane County Bar Association.

He received his undergraduate degree from Alma College in Alma, Mich., and he is a graduate of the Valparaiso University School of Law.