Stewart Leeth is a member in the firm’s General Commercial group, where he leverages more than 30 years of executive and legal experience to help clients develop solutions for complex regulatory and environmental challenges.
Prior to joining Gentry Locke, Stewart served in an executive role at Smithfield Foods, Inc. (NYSE: SFD), a Fortune 500 company as Chief Sustainability Officer. He oversaw environmental programs and advised senior leadership on associated legislative and regulatory strategies, sustainability initiatives and disclosures, due diligence, environmental risk and compliance, stakeholder engagement, and related business growth projects. He previously served the company in a variety of legal and business roles, including as General Counsel for a major subsidiary and Board Member for the company’s renewable energy joint ventures. Earlier in his career, Stewart was a partner at a global law firm and served as an Assistant Attorney General in the natural resources section of the Virginia Attorney General’s office. He previously clerked for the Honorable Claude M. Hilton of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Stewart has held leadership roles in numerous business, agricultural, and conservation organizations throughout Virginia and the United States, most recently serving on the Board and Executive Committee of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the Virginia Land Conservation Board, and the National Pork Board. He is also an active speaker on environmental and regulatory topics.
-
Times watched the movie Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?
-
Laps around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
-
Pork butts barbecued
-
What made you decide to pursue a law degree?
My late father’s advice when I was in high school. He convinced me that a law degree opens up a world of options regardless of whether you want to practice law.
-
What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not working?
Spending time with my wife and with our daughter when we can (she lives in Athens, GA). If not doing that, I love being outdoors in the mountains hunting, fishing or hiking.
-
Do you like to travel?
Absolutely. I have had great opportunities for traveling ever since I was a kid – 5 continents and even the old Soviet Union just before it collapsed, not to mention dozens and dozens of small towns across the South and Midwestern US when I was in the food industry. Not unlike that old Johnny Cash song.
Education
- University of Richmond, School of Law, J.D.
- University of Richmond, B.A.
Experience
- Counsels clients on developing solutions for complex regulatory issues and high-stakes environmental disputes
- Helps develop and implement proactive sustainability programs and disclosures, including product and supply chain sustainability, that align with business objectives
- Counsels clients on legislative and regulatory strategies to promote their projects, programs and objectives
- Provides compliance counseling to minimize risk, preclude potential enforcement, environmental litigation and greenwashing claims; develop cost effective solutions before enforcement actions or litigation occur
- Helps clients navigate changing regulatory and disclosure obligations
Affiliations
- Board Member, Appointed by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Pork Board
- Board Member, Appointed by the Commonwealth of Virginia Governor, Virginia Land Conservation Board
- Former Board and Executive Committee Member, Virginia Chamber of Commerce
- Former Board Member, Virginia Agribusiness Council
- Former Board and Executive Committee Member, Virginia Forever
- Former Board Member, North Carolina Chamber of Commerce
- Founding Board Member, Former Chair, North Carolina Forever
Admissions
- Virginia State Bar
