Some paths into the law begin in a straight line. John Edmond Westfield’s path looked more like a series of sharp turns, hard work, and deliberate choices that kept bringing him back to St. Augustine.

In his bio video, he talks about starting as a flight student & engineering hopeful, realizing that track did not fit, and then hearing the same message from people throughout his life: he should go to law school because he liked to argue. He decided to listen. When he says he “gave it a shot” and found that this was his calling, you can hear the conviction behind it.

If you want to see that moment of honesty for yourself and hear his story in his own words, you can watch his short video below.

From Flight School & Numbers To A Calling In The Law

In the video, John describes how he first pursued aviation & engineering at Embry-Riddle before changing direction. He realized that career would not match his strengths, and he listened when people encouraged him to consider the law. That mix of self-awareness and willingness to pivot says a lot about how he approaches problems today: he looks at the facts, then chooses the path that makes sense.

That thoughtful, deliberate approach shows up again and again in his background. He graduated from Flagler College in 2005 with a B.A. in business administration, then worked as a licensed commodities broker. He went on to earn his M.B.A. from the University of North Florida in 2008, serving as an assistant to the economics department and becoming a certified associate in project management. Before he ever set foot in a law school classroom, he already knew how to read financial details, manage projects, and run operations.

He then owned and operated successful wholesale businesses. Those years gave him a grounded sense of how real people and real companies work, far from any ivory tower. When he later talks about families and community in the video, that business foundation sits quietly in the background, informing the way he looks at every case that comes through our doors.

Why An Accelerated Law Program & Local Legal Aid Mattered

When John decided to pursue the law, he did not choose the easy route. He enrolled at Florida Coastal School of Law in 2013 as part of the school’s inaugural Fastrack Program, the first two-year from-start-to-finish program of its kind in the country. He completed his J.D. in just over two years and graduated in the top 10% of his class, earning his degree cum laude in 2015.

That kind of schedule leaves no room for coasting. It requires discipline, focus, and a clear sense of purpose. In the video, he mentions that this structure let him commute from St. Augustine, and that he wanted to keep his roots here. On his drives to school, he passed Saint Johns County Legal Aid, saw the sign, and took the initiative to reach out.

Rather than wait for an opportunity to appear, he helped create one. He describes how he turned that chance sighting into an internship with Legal Aid in town. That role let him serve local residents who needed help while he finished his degree in Jacksonville. It shows the same pattern: he notices something, thinks through what it could become, and then builds it into reality.

Finding The Right Fit At Canan Law

After law school, John interned with Canan Law. In the video, he recalls that as soon as he walked in looking for that internship, he knew this was where he wanted to work. That first impression stuck with him.

Mentors suggested he gain courtroom experience, so he accepted a role as a volunteer assistant state attorney in St. Johns and Flagler counties. That step put him in front of judges, juries, and opposing counsel on a regular basis. He saw how cases move through the system from the prosecution side, experience that now informs his work when criminal issues overlap with family or civil matters.

When an opening arose at Canan Law in 2016, he followed the goal he had set for himself from the beginning. He returned and joined the firm in a position that focused on family law. That decision reflects long-term commitment, not a spur-of-the-moment move.

How John Serves Clients & Families Today

Today, John’s work covers several key areas of practice at Canan Law. His time focuses mainly on family matters, while he also handles a range of related issues. His practice includes:

• Family law focus (40%): He devotes the largest share of his time to family law, which can include divorces, parenting disputes, and other life-changing transitions.
• Criminal law matters (20%): He uses his background as a volunteer assistant state attorney to navigate criminal issues that affect his clients and their families.
• Civil law work (20%): He addresses disputes between individuals or businesses, drawing on his business administration and M.B.A. training.
• Dependency cases (10%): He assists in matters that involve the welfare of children and the involvement of state agencies.
• Wills & probate (10%): He helps clients plan for the future and handle estate issues during difficult times.

Every one of these practice areas involves real people, real stakes, and often real stress. John’s combination of business sense, legal training, and courtroom experience lets him approach each problem with structure and clarity. His certification as a project management associate supports the way he organizes complex cases, deadlines, and details so clients do not have to carry that weight alone.

Rooted In St. Augustine & Committed To Community

Both the bio and the video draw a clear picture of someone who chose to build a career in St. Augustine, not just pass through. John attended Flagler College here, volunteered regularly with Saint Johns County Legal Aid, and served as a volunteer assistant state attorney in St. Johns and Flagler counties before joining our team.

That local history matters. At Canan Law, we believe that knowledge of our courts, our judges, and our community makes a difference for clients. John’s path fits that belief. He has seen the legal system from multiple angles, all within the same region where our clients live and work.

In the video, he shares a sentiment that echoes this connection. He says, “I’m biased, but I do affirmatively and sincerely believe that we’re the premier law firm, and certainly in Saint Augustine, if not North Florida or even Florida, for what we do.” That statement does more than praise the firm. It shows how strongly he believes in the team around him and in the quality of work we do together.

Family, Community & The Way We Work Together

One of the most telling lines in his video does not mention degrees, courts, or titles. He explains that, “First and foremost… family comes first here. Our families, our community is paramount to everything else. So it’s just an excellent work environment.”

Those words match the way we structure our practice at Canan Law. We rely on a team-based approach, sharing ideas and strategies so that each client benefits from the combined experience of our attorneys. We focus on clear communication, mutual respect, and trust. John’s belief that family and community come first speaks to the heart of that culture.

His own record backs that up. He has:

• Served local residents through Legal Aid: His internships and volunteer work with Saint Johns County Legal Aid reflect a commitment to helping people who might not otherwise have access to counsel.
• Gained trial perspective as a volunteer assistant state attorney: That role gave him insight into how the state builds and presents cases in our local courts.
• Earned recognition beyond the courtroom: Honors such as Eagle Scout and the Medal for Lifesaving from the Boy Scouts of America show a long-standing pattern of service, leadership, and stepping up in critical moments.

These experiences shape how he listens to clients, how he prepares for hearings, and how he works with our team on strategy. They also align closely with our firm’s decades-long commitment to St. Augustine and the surrounding communities.

Education, Admissions & A Foundation You Can See

John’s path through education & training lays a strong foundation under the story you see in his video. In addition to his B.A. from Flagler College and M.B.A. from the University of North Florida, he completed his J.D. at Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville, graduating cum laude and in the top 10% of his class.

He holds admission to practice in Florida state courts (Florida Bar, 2015) and in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida (2017). Combined with his business and project management background, these qualifications equip him to handle the wide mix of family, criminal, civil, dependency, and wills & probate matters that come across his desk.

In other words, the calm, candid voice you hear in the video stands on years of preparation, effort, and service.

Get To Know John Before You Call

When you face a family dispute, a criminal charge, a civil conflict, or the need to plan for your estate, you want more than a resume. You want to know the person who will stand next to you in court or guide you through paperwork that could affect the rest of your life.

John’s bio video gives you that early glimpse. You see how he thinks about his work, why he chose the law, and what family and community mean to him. You also see how he fits into the broader culture at Canan Law, where we draw on more than eight decades of combined experience and a strong team to help clients protect their rights and pursue their best interests.

If you are considering legal counsel in St. Augustine or the surrounding areas, we invite you to watch John’s video, learn more about our team, and then reach out to Canan Law at (904) 849-2266 to discuss how we can help.