Herschel Keller is a Partner with Gentry Locke, representing businesses, governmental entities, and institutions in Lynchburg and across the Commonwealth through his practice of Corporate and Business Law, Commercial Construction Law and Litigation, Complex Contract Drafting and Negotiation, and Government and Regulatory Affairs. Originally from Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Herschel now lives in Lynchburg, where he has practiced law for the past 20 years. Herschel heads up Gentry Locke’s Lynchburg office and also services clients in our Richmond office. He is active in the community, including serving as past president of the Central District Committee for the Associated General Contractors of Virginia. Prior to joining Gentry Locke, he was Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Lynchburg, and later rose to the role of a principal and an officer of a Lynchburg law firm.
- Crazy black lab who eats everything in sight
- Incredible kids
- States I’ve lived in (IN, PA, GA & VA)
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People would be surprised to know...
I recently took my family on a "National Lampoon's Vacation" road trip out West. We flew and then rented a Suburban. We drove through Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. It was amazing! I love being outside, especially when it is with my family. We love to hike, camp and fish, and we find white water canoeing thrilling!
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What do you most enjoy about being a lawyer?
It is meaningful to me to get good results for my clients. I love the competition aspect, and I do not like to lose.
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What’s the most important life lesson you would pass on?
Find balance.
Education
- University of Richmond School of Law, J.D.
- Dickinson College, B.A.
Experience
- Represents one of the oldest pipeline and utility contractors in the Commonwealth of Virginia in all aspects of its business, including procurement issues, contract negotiations, disputes, employment issues, and OSHA compliance
- Represented steel erector in litigation arising from construction of Virginia Tech’s Lane Stadium West Sideline Expansion
- Assisted in formation of $400,000,000 joint venture for construction of heavy manufacturing facility in Norfolk, Virginia
- Negotiated contract with Italian firm for construction of concrete manufacturing plant in West Virginia
- Represented statewide road and bridge builder in claims with VDOT
- Assisted in organization of community bank in Lynchburg, Virginia
- Successfully negotiated acquisition of woodworking supply catalogue business by publicly traded competitor
- Negotiated and drafted numerous joint venture and teaming agreements to allow minority contractors to participate in government contracts
- Represents numerous manufactures in UCC and other issues.
- Negotiated contractor’s withdrawal from mixed used development that failed after the 2008 financial collapse
- Negotiated multiple agreements to facilitate CEO transitions
- Obtained master rezoning for one of states largest university
- Obtained zoning approvals and conditional use permits for cellular telephone tower developer
- Obtained conditional use permit to allow for construction of 235,000 square feet office park in residential zoned district in Lynchburg, Virginia
- Advised Virginia Housing and Redevelopment Authorities on housing law, finance and compliance.
- Assisted in establishing numerous successful construction businesses in Central Virginia
- Investigated and resolved numerous employment discrimination claims
- Lobbied before Virginia General Assembly in support of contractors seeking to limit the use of competitive negotiation to procure
- Conducted numerous employee sexual harassment trainings
- Drafted and negotiated numerous commercial leases for landlords and tenants
- Acted as both issuers’ and borrowers’ counsel for tax-exempt bond issues
- Successfully defended patent infringement litigation against one of the largest patent firms in the United States
- Drafted numerous heavy equipment leases, rent to own agreements, and other agreements for use in the heavy equipment rental and sales industry
- Frequent speaker for business groups throughout region
Affiliations
- Member, National D-Day Memorial Foundation Board of Directors (2022)
- Associated General Contractors of Virginia; Board of Directors (2015-Present); Central District Committee President (2011-2012), State Legislative Committee (2007-Present), Safety Alliance Board (2007-2010)
- Member, Virginia Amateur Sports Board of Directors (2017-Present)
- Member, Lynchburg Business Alliance Legislative Committee (2017-Present)
- Counsel to the Virginia State Crime Commission (1998-2000)
- Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Lynchburg; Project Exile Prosecutor (2000-2001)
- Former Staff Chair, Senate Joint Resolution 220 Advisory Panel: Legislative Study Aimed at Protecting Children from Sexually Violent Predators, (1997-1998)
- Former Staff Chair, Legislative Task Force Examining More Severe Sanctions for DUI Offenses (1997-1998)
Awards
- Named a Lynchburg Business Top Lawyer in Construction Law (2020-2025)
- Named to Lynchburg Business Magazine’s “Top Lawyers” for Business, Commercial Litigation, Construction, Environmental and Land Use, and Real Estate law (2016)
- Named to Virginia Business Magazine’s “Legal Elite” for Business Law (2023-2024)
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Nov 2005