News, Events, Seminars & Articles by Gentry Locke Attorneys

Client Alert: Virginia Attorney General Signals Increased Focus on Civil Enforcement and Data Privacy

Articles October 2026

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones spoke to the Virginia Bar Association’s White Collar Forum in Richmond last week, where he discussed his Administration’s approach to white collar and consumer-protection enforcement. Attorney General Jones emphasized the importance of achieving practical results that protect Virginia consumers, including through civil enforcement rather than relying exclusively on criminal prosecution. He also specifically highlighted the protection of Virginians’ privacy and personal information, highlighting enforcement of the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (“VCDPA”) and related privacy and cybersecurity requirements as an important consumer-protection priority. For Virginia businesses, the message is significant. White Collar enforcement has long […]

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Gentry Locke Welcomes Attorney Kelsie J. Simpson and Welcomes Back Attorney Phoebe M. Brannock to the Firm

News October 2026

ROANOKE, Va. | RICHMOND, Va. (October 26, 2026) – Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that Kelsie J. Simpson has joined the firm as an Associate in its Personal Injury practice group and Phoebe M. Brannock has returned to the firm as an Associate in its General Commercial practice group. Simpson focuses her practice on representing individuals and families whose lives have been impacted by serious injuries caused by car crashes, medical malpractice, product defects, and other acts of negligence. She joins Gentry Locke with a strong foundation in judicial procedure, having most recently served as a law clerk for the judges […]

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What to Do When an Agency Fails to Respond to a FOIA Request

Articles October 2026

Article by Matt W. Broughton and Investigator Danny C. Brabham In September of 2025, an article was published here relating to how a person could strengthen their personal injury case through the use of Freedom of Information (FOIA) requests. We wanted to take the opportunity to offer advice on what to do if an Agency fails to respond to a FOIA request. The first step is to move into the enforcement and escalation steps. The outline below offers advice on how to navigate through the steps to have Agencies comply with your request(s). Step One Verify that the response deadlines have […]

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Has Your Investigation Outgrown Your Internal Team?

Articles October 2026

Five Situations That May Require Independent Review Most organizations prefer to address workplace concerns internally. In many cases, that approach is entirely appropriate. Human resources professionals, compliance personnel, managers, and in-house counsel are often well-positioned to evaluate employee complaints, policy violations, and other routine workplace issues. Some matters, however, present legal, regulatory, reputational, or operational risks that exceed the scope of a routine internal review. Recognizing when an issue has outgrown internal resources can be as important as the investigation itself. Below are five situations where organizations should assess whether an independent review conducted by outside counsel is warranted. 1. […]

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Court Rules for Defendant in ERISA Long-Term Disability Benefits Dispute

Case Studies September 2026

The results of client matters depend on a variety of factors unique to each matter. Past successes do not predict or guarantee future successes.

The Court granted defendant’s motion for summary judgment (and denied plaintiff’s cross-motion for summary judgment) in an ERISA long-term disability benefits case. On “de novo” review, the Court found that plaintiff had failed to prove that her alleged disability (“Long Covid”) rendered her unable to perform the material duties of her own occupation (which was of a light exertion level). Only one of plaintiff’s treaters, a Nurse Practitioner, opined that her illness was disabling. This determination was primarily based on plaintiff’s self-reported, subjective complaints. Numerous peer reviewers engaged by the defendant (as well as a number of plaintiff’s own treating […]

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Gentry Locke Partner Tom Bondurant Jr. Named to Lawdragon’s 2027 500 Leading Litigators in America

News September 2026

ROANOKE, Va. (September 15, 2026) – Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that Partner Tom Bondurant Jr. has been named to the 2027 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America in the category of White Collar, Investigations. The annual guide recognizes leading litigators nationwide based on their impact on significant matters, experience in the courtroom, leadership, and standing within the legal profession. Bondurant is a Partner in Gentry Locke’s White Collar Defense, Investigations & Compliance practice group. Before joining the firm, he served as a federal prosecutor for 29 years, where he tried more than 200 criminal jury trials. His extensive […]

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Owning the Truth in Personal Injury Cases

Articles September 2026

Article by Matt W. Broughton and Paralegal Cynthia O. Cundiff In personal injury litigation, credibility is not an abstract ideal—it is a measurable asset that affects settlement value, litigation posture, and trial outcomes. Cases rarely fail because an injury did not occur; they fail because a jury, judge, adjuster, or defense counsel does not believe the story being told. For that reason, one of the most important skills a plaintiff‑side attorney or paralegal can develop is the ability to “own the truth” of a case. Owning the truth does not mean minimizing damages or weakening advocacy. It means building a […]

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Final Judgment Secured for Insurer in Federal ERISA Benefits Case

Case Studies September 2026

The results of client matters depend on a variety of factors unique to each matter. Past successes do not predict or guarantee future successes.

Plaintiff, Executor of his late wife’s Estate, sued in State Court to collect benefits under two employer-sponsored group life insurance policies insuring his wife’s life. The group policies were governed by the Federal ERISA statute. We removed the case to Federal Court and moved to dismiss the Complaint on grounds that it was time-barred under the policies’ five-year contractual limitations period. The plaintiff’s late wife had become totally disabled in 2011. However, she failed to certify and provide proof of her continuing disability as required by the policies. Despite multiple notifications, she failed to provide proof of ongoing disability, failed […]

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Virginia Business Names K. Brett Marston and Gregory D. Habeeb to its 2026 Virginia 500 Power List

News August 2026

ROANOKE, Va. (August 31, 2026) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that K. Brett Marston and Gregory D. Habeeb have been named to Virginia Business’s 2026 “Power 500” list. The editorial team of Virginia Business has selected Gentry Locke’s Brett Marston in the category of Law. Brett is Gentry Locke’s Managing Partner and member of the firm’s Construction Law practice group. Greg Habeeb was selected in the category of Professional Services. Greg is the President of Gentry Locke Consulting as well as the Chair of Gentry Locke’s Government and Regulatory Affairs practice group. “The list of executives […]

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44 Gentry Locke Attorneys Recognized in Best Lawyers® 2027 Lists

News August 2026

ROANOKE, Va. (August 20, 2026) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that forty-four of the firm’s attorneys are included in the 2027 Best Lawyers® lists, including thirty-nine attorneys recognized in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and five attorneys recognized in the 2027 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America. Of the forty-four attorneys recognized in The Best Lawyers in America, one attorney was also recognized with a 2027 Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” award, which is given annually to only one lawyer per practice area in each region. […]

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