James J. O'Keeffe

Partner

Phone: 540.983.9459
Fax: 540.983.9400
Okeeffe@gentrylocke.com

Jay O'Keeffe helps clients with appeals and complex civil litigation. He is a frequent speaker and author on state and federal appellate topics. Jay publishes a blog, De Novo, that is available at www.virginiaappellatelaw.com.

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Education

College of William and Mary, B.A. magna cum laude, 1999; Harvard Law School, J.D. cum laude, 2002

Experience

Substantial experience briefing and arguing cases before the Supreme Court of Virginia and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Representative appeals include Bonham v. Weinraub, No. 10-1430, 2011 U.S. App. LEXIS 4227 (4th Cir. Feb. 24, 2011); Rascher v. Friend, 279 Va. 370, 689 S.E.2d 661, Dunn Construction Co., Inc. v. Cloney, 278 Va. 260, 682 S.E.2d 943 (2009);Kennedy v. Joy Technologies, Inc., 269 Fed. Appx. 302 (4th Cir. 2008); Switzer v. Switzer, 273 Va. 326, 641 S.E.2d 80 (2007)
Represents plaintiffs and defendants in civil matters in state and federal trial courts
Maintains a regular trial court practice, handling several trials and numerous hearings a year
Associated with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP before joining Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore

Education

College of William and Mary, B.A. magna cum laude, 1999
Harvard Law School, J.D. cum laude, 2002

Articles

Gentry Locke Involved with First Significant E-Discovery Decision in Western Virginia, 02/16/2007

Seminars/Events

Speaking Engagements

News

Published Work

>> Read Jay's Blog, De Novo at virginiaappellatelaw.com

Co-author, Social Media and Discovery -- New Tools, Same Rules; The VADA Journal of Civil Litigation, Vol. XXII, No. 4, Winter 2010-2011.
Co-author, Something Old, Something New: The Partial Final Judgment Rule; VSB Litigation News, Volume XV Number III (Fall 2010).
Co-author, Thoughts on Trying Construction Cases: An Appellate Perspective; Virginia State Bar Construction Law and Public Contracts News, Issue No. 56 (Spring 2010).
Co-author, Have You Made A Last-ditch, Desperate, and Disingenuous Attempt to Subvert the Legal Process Today?; Virginia Lawyer Magazine, Volume 57 (February 2009).

Awards

Listed in Benchmark Appellate as a Local Litigation Star (2013)
Named a Virginia Super Lawyers Rising Star in Business Litigation and Appellate Law (2008-2012)
National Trial Lawyers "Top 40 Under 40" for Virginia (2012)

Affiliations

Virginia State Bar; Member (2002-Present); Appellate Subcommittee (2009-Present)
Faculty Member, Virginia State Bar, Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Course (2011-2014)
Virginia Bar Association; Member, (2002-Present); Appellate Subcommittee (2009-Present); Young Lawyers Division (2002-Present)
Graduate, ABA Appellate Practice Institute (2011)
Graduate, National Trial Advocacy College, University of Virginia School of Law (2010)
Roanoke Bar Association (2006-Present)
American Bar Association (2002-Present); Litigation Section Member, Appellate Practice Committee (2009-Present)
Member, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (2009-Present)
Member, Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys (2006-Present)
Board Member, Secretary and Legal Advisor, Saint Francis of Assisi Service Dog Foundation (2008-Present)

Toll-free: 866.983.0866
Telephone: 540.983.9300
Fax: 540.983.9400

10 Franklin Road S.E., Suite 800
Roanoke, VA 24011

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 40013
Roanoke, VA 24022-0013

Legal Disclaimer: The results of client matters depend on a variety of factors unique to each matter. Past successes do not predict or guarantee future successes. Attorneys licensed to practice in VA, MD, DC, TN, NC, and TX.