100 Years, and 100% Committed to You
1923
Gentry Locke traces its history back to 1923, to the predecessor firm of Funkhouser and Apperson. Funkhouser and Apperson represented the Norfolk & Western Railway Company, the Roanoke Water Company, General Accident Insurance Company, and various other corporate and individual clients. The Firm did a significant amount of title and condemnation work in the acquisition by the Roanoke Water Company of the land where Carvins Cove, the area’s main water reservoir to present, is located.
The firm grew slowly but steadily through the 1950s. In the early 1960s S. D. Roberts Moore and William R. Rakes joined named partners Fred B. Gentry, John H. Locke and Richard C. Rakes and a more rapid expansion of the Firm began.
1965
The firm name was changed to Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore. The expanding firm needed more space, and in 1977 the firm moved to new offices as part of a downtown revitalization effort, into what is now the Gentry Locke/Truist building. Fred B. Gentry passed away in 1970, John H. Locke passed away in 2003, and Richard C. Rakes passed away in 2017.
2013
Monica Taylor Monday was appointed as Managing Partner. Ms. Monday managed the Firm in addition to chairing Gentry Locke’s Appellate practice group.
2015
Gentry Locke opened a new office in downtown Lynchburg, Virginia, anchored by Herschel Keller.
2018
Gentry Locke expanded their state-wide presence with opening a new office in Richmond and launching their Government and Regulatory Affairs practice group, under Greg Habeeb’s and Chip Dicks’ leadership.
2020
Gentry Locke Attorneys opened consulting firm in Richmond under Greg Habeeb’s leadership. Gentry Locke Consulting is a full-service public affairs, communications, and marketing firm.
2023
Monica Taylor Monday stepped down as Managing Partner and the firm named K. Brett Marston Managing Partner. A new Executive Board was created, comprising of Ms. Monday (Chair), Brett Marston, Matthew Broughton, W. William Gust, and Gregory Habeeb.
Gentry Locke Attorneys opened Norfolk Office. As of May 1, this office includes John Scheib, former Chief Legal Officer and senior executive of Norfolk Southern, and Melissa O’Boyle, former federal prosecutor in the Eastern District of Virginia.
Gentry Locke has grown to be the 8th largest law firm in Virginia.
With 100 years of experience, Gentry Locke is an established law firm with an innovative, cohesive group of legal professionals. Combining innovative technology with solid ethics and a relentless drive to serve our clients’ needs, we continually strive to match the legacy of our past with the challenges of the future.
