Guy Harbert chairs the Insurance practice group at Gentry Locke. For over 30 years, Guy has represented clients before trial and appellate courts throughout Virginia on insurance coverage, insurance defense, and white-collar and other criminal defense matters. He is an active member of the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys and a frequent lecturer and author on insurance litigation issues. Guy is consistently noted as a Virginia Super Lawyer in Personal Injury General: Defense, and since 2012 has consistently earned a spot on the Best Lawyers in America list for Insurance Law.
- Years at Gentry Locke
- Insurance fraud investigations
- Va. courthouses where I’ve tried cases
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What’s your approach to handling matters for your clients?
I think the key to handling a matter is a mastery of the process. My clients know I am going to cover all the bases for their situation in a methodical manner. If you approach a matter objectively, investigate it thoroughly, and do so using a streamlined process, you’ve valued your client’s time and money wisely. My clients seem to appreciate the discipline and breadth of experience I apply to their matters, and the protocols I’ve developed minimize the opposition’s ability to present us with surprises. So along the way, whether prior to or during a trial or in the midst of a settlement, we’re poised to make the right move.
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What I enjoy most about the legal profession…
I enjoy the competition involved in resolving a legal matter.
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People would be surprised to know...
I played football, lacrosse, and rugby in college.
Education
- Washington and Lee University School of Law, J.D. cum laude
- Davidson College, B.A.
Experience
- Representation of insurer in $6,000,000 third-party, bad faith litigation
- Representation of insurer in coverage matter for multi-million dollar “Chinese drywall” class action litigation
- Representation of insurers in numerous first-party arson/fraud/bad faith litigation
- Representation of insurers in numerous declaratory judgment actions regarding nature and extent of coverage owed on liability and first-party claims
- Preparation of amicus curiae brief on behalf of the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys in the Supreme Court of Virginia regarding the scope of the Virginia Residential Landlord Tenant Act
- Representation of the Commonwealth of Virginia as a private prosecutor in arson/murder case
- Representation of physicians, lawyers, accountants and other professionals in criminal tax prosecutions
- Representation of defendants in trials and settlements of complex wrongful death cases
Affiliations
- Former Chairman, Policy and Coverage Section, Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys
- Member, Litigation Section, The Virginia Bar Association
- Member, Litigation Section, Tort and Insurance Practice Section, American Bar Association
- Member, Property Insurance Committee, American Bar Association
- Life Member, Virginia Chapter, International Association of Arson Investigators
Awards
- Named “Roanoke Lawyer of the Year” for Insurance Law (2021) by Best Lawyers in America
- Named one of The Best Lawyers in America® in Insurance Law (2012-2025), also listed in Best Lawyers in America – Business Edition (2016)
- Named to Virginia Super Lawyers in the area of Personal Injury Defense: General (2007-2008, 2010-2024); also named to Super Lawyers Business Edition US in the area of Plaintiff Defense/General (2012-2014)
- Awarded the Gentry Locke Pro Bono Promise Award (2021)
- Named a “Legal Eagle” for Insurance Law by Virginia Living magazine (2012)
- Designated as one of the Legal Elite in the field of Criminal Law by Virginia Business magazine (2003-2006 and 2008-2009)
Case Studies
The results of client matters depend on a variety of factors unique to each matter. Past successes do not predict or guarantee future successes.- Mar 26, 2024 — Defense Verdict Obtained for Western Express in Rear-end Accident
- Feb 19, 2016 — Jury Affirms Insurance Company Decision on Roof Repair Claim
- Mar 7, 2014 — Defense of Explosive Products Liability Case
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Defense Verdict Obtained for Western Express in Rear-end Accident The results of client matters depend on a variety of factors unique to each matter. Past successes do not predict or guarantee future successes.Case Studies
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Apr 2016 -
Jury Affirms Insurance Company Decision on Roof Repair Claim The results of client matters depend on a variety of factors unique to each matter. Past successes do not predict or guarantee future successes.Case Studies
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Defense of Explosive Products Liability Case The results of client matters depend on a variety of factors unique to each matter. Past successes do not predict or guarantee future successes.Case Studies
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Dec 2004