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Paul Klockenbrink is a Partner in Gentry Locke’s Labor & Employment law group. Paul advises and represents employers throughout Virginia regarding employment law issues, as well as the litigation of non-compete agreements, and business-related claims. Paul is a frequent speaker at national and regional employment law seminars and also leads the firm’s Restaurant & Hospitality practice group. During his 30+ years with Gentry Locke, Paul has brought cases through successful jury verdicts involving discrimination, retaliation, sexual harassment, non-competition, defamation, and malicious prosecution. Paul is consistently noted as a Virginia Super Lawyer in Employment & Labor Law, and since 2009 he has earned a spot on the Best Lawyers in America list in Employment Law – Management. More recently, he was named to the Virginia Lawyers Weekly 2025 “Leaders in the Law” list as well as a “Go To Lawyer” for Employment Law.

 

  • Age received first camera
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  • Continents visited
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  • Africa Safaris
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  • Times I've been to Lambeau Field
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  • What do you think you would be doing if you were not a lawyer?

    Wildlife biology or a National Geographic wildlife photographer.

  • With all of your travels, what’s left on your wish list?

    Polar Bears in the Arctic and someday I want to go to India to catch a glimpse of a tiger.

  • What do you like to do outside of work?

    I have two great kids, and I always like to stay connected to what they are up to. I love travel and bird watching. Photography, of course. And I’m a huge Green Bay Packers fan.

  • What important life lesson do you share with others?

    Follow your passion. It will never lead you wrong.

Education

  • University of San Diego School of Law, J.D. cum laude
  • University of Vermont, B.A.

Experience

  • Represent management and companies in broad cross section of industries on labor and employment issue that arise on a daily basis such as hiring, union avoidance, leave issues under FMLA/ADA, wage and hour issues, investigation of misconduct, termination issues, unemployment claims and EEO Complaints
  • Conduct high level investigations on behalf of national companies
  • Extensive litigation experience involving claims of theft and trade secrets and disclosure of confidential information in violation of noncompetition/nondisclosure agreements
  • Representation of companies before EEOC, Department of Labor, and other agencies, including mediation
  • Representation of management and training of supervisors regarding union activity
  • Obtained multiple defense verdicts in federal jury trials in sexual harassment and ADA cases
  • Obtained dismissal of lawsuits and claims on behalf of companies in discrimination cases
  • Representation of publicly traded companies in discrimination matters
  • Representation of local school boards and municipalities in connection with termination issues and separation packages

Affiliations

  • Member, Labor & Employment Section, Virginia Bar Association
  • Member, Labor & Employment Section, American Bar Association
  • Member, Virginia State Bar
  • Member, California State Bar (inactive)
  • Member, Society for Human Resource Management; National, Roanoke, and Lynchburg
  • Board Member, Roanoke Wildlife Rescue (2014-Present)
  • Member, University of San Diego Law Review, 1987-1988
  • Frequent speaker for business groups throughout region

Awards

  • Named to the Virginia Lawyers Weekly 2025 “Leaders in the Law” list
  • Named a “Go To Lawyer” for Employment Law by Virginia Lawyers Weekly (2024)
  • Named one of The Best Lawyers in America® in the field of Employment Law – Management (2009-2026) Labor & Employment Litigation (2011-2026)
  • Named to Virginia Super Lawyers in the area of Employment & Labor (2007-2021) and Employment Litigation: Defense (2021-2026), included in Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel edition (2009) and Super Lawyers Business Edition US in the area of Employment & Labor (2012-2014)
  • Designated one of Virginia’s Legal Elite in Labor & Employment Law by Virginia Business magazine (2007, 2016, 2019-2025)
  • American Jurisprudence Awards in Torts (1986) and Evidence (1987)

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.
Paul Klockenbrink Virginia attorney
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