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Christen Church, Gemtry Locke attorney

Christen C. Church

Partner
Legal Assistant
Sharon Merritt540.983.9363
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Brittney Hasenbeck540.983.9326
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Christen Church has a transactional and advisory practice focusing on intellectual property, health care regulation and compliance, data privacy and security, mergers and acquisitions, and commercial financings. Christen has consistently been recognized since 2014 as a “Virginia Rising Star” by Virginia Super Lawyers and listed as a “Legal Elite” in Intellectual Property and Health Law by Virginia Business magazine.

  • Cups of coffee daily
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  • Continents to visit
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  • Favorite podcasts: “Radio Lab” and “This American Life”
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  • If you had chosen a career other than law, what would you be doing?

    I would be traveling the world writing photo essays for National Geographic – a dream job!

  • How did you choose this profession?

    I was a science major – a discipline where everything seemed very black and white – until I discovered bioethics. That led me to pursue law. I find that law allows us to shape how we interact as a society. It’s very compelling.

  • People would be surprised to know…

    My family loves reading. We recently began re-reading the Harry Potter series together, and I am really enjoying experiencing the magic of Hogwarts again, this time through the eyes of my children.

Education

  • Washington and Lee University School of Law, J.D.
  • University of Virginia, B.A.

Experience

Health Care

  • Advises clients on a wide range of health law topics, including health care reform, fraud and abuse, health information technology, as well as issues related to Medicare and Medicaid provider participation, billing and compliance
  • Assists clients in navigating the often complex and evolving legal issues facing health care providers, employers and individuals today, including compliance with HIPAA, HITECH, and the Affordable Care Act

Intellectual Property

  • Advises clients on all aspects of securing, enforcing and protecting their intellectual property rights

Cybersecurity, Data Privacy and Security

  • Assists clients with identifying and managing privacy and information security risks
  • Assists clients in developing policies, standards and procedures designed to protect sensitive information
  • Advises clients on the applicable response and notification obligations following a security incident

Banking and Finance

  • Facilitates commercial loan transactions, including secured and unsecured term and revolving credit, asset based loans, participation arrangements as well as refinance and loan modification arrangements

Business

  • Advises entities and organizations, including nonprofits, through all stages of their life cycles, from formation and governance to financing to disposition
  • Drafts and negotiates contracts and advises clients generally on business and transactional matters

Affiliations

  • Roanoke Bar Association: Board Member (2017-Present); Chair, Young Lawyers Committee (2016-2017); Member (2009-Present)
  • Member, Board of Directors for Children’s Trust Foundation Roanoke Valley (2012-2018)
  • Chair, Health and Law Commission, Virginia State Bar Young Lawyers Conference (2009-2011)
  • Co-Chair, Virginia State Bar Southern Virginia Minority Pre-Law Conference (2009)
  • Co-Chair, Virginia Bar Association Washington and Lee Law School Council (2009-2012)
  • Member, American Health Lawyers Association
  • Member, Virginia State Bar
  • Member, The Virginia Bar Association
  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, Virginia Women Attorneys Association
  • Judicial Clerk to the Honorable Jonathan M. Apgar, Roanoke City Circuit Court (2007-2008)

Awards

  • Named as Virginia Lawyer’s Weekly “Influential Women of Law” (2021)
  • Named one of the “Legal Elite” by Virginia Business magazine for Intellectual Property law (2018) and Health Law (2019-2021)
  • Named a “Virginia Super Lawyers Rising Star” in Health Care (2019-2022), Business/Corporate (2016-2018) and Business/Mergers & Acquisitions (2014-2015)
  • Outstanding Volunteer Service Award for co-chairing the 2009 Southern Virginia Minority Pre-Law Conference, Virginia State Bar Young Lawyers Conference (2010)
  • Influential Women of Law Award, Virginia Lawyer’s Weekly (2021)
Christen Church Virginia attorney
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