Gentry Locke has established a team of attorneys and professionals ready to assist you and your company as you navigate COVID-19 Banking Resources Financial Institutions and Business Lending: Creditors’ Rights U.S. SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Summary for Small Businesses and Nonprofits Business Resources Force-Majeure – COVID-19: Foreseeable or Unforeseeable? CARES Act Resources Alert: New COVID-19 Relief Bill – Key Provisions for the Paycheck Protection Program Safe Harbor for Borrower Necessity of Paycheck Protection Program Loan President Trump signs into law an additional $500 Billion Relief Package The Treasury Department Clarifies Confusion Concerning PPP Eligibility for Small Businesses CARES […]
If only wishing made our HR compliance so! Sign up to attend Gentry Locke’s LIVE in-person Employment Law Symposium today! Registration Early Bird $220 until February 14 with Promo Code: EARLYBIRD After February 14, $250 (includes breakfast at sign-in, lunch, and all materials) Register for the Lynchburg Event Register for the Roanoke Event Refunds: Our policy is to allow the switching of attendees or event locations if needed. Full refunds will be made by check if canceled no less than two weeks prior to the event date. All refunds will be made by check, no matter how the registration […]
ROANOKE, Va. (January 4, 2022) – The Virginia law firm of Gentry Locke is pleased to announce the promotions of Andrew O. Gay and Kirk M. Sosebee to the partnership, effective January 1, 2022. “Andrew and Kirk are talented attorneys who have demonstrated hard work and commitment to our clients,” said Gentry Locke Managing Partner Monica T. Monday. “We are pleased to welcome them to the partnership.” Gay is a member of the firm’s Construction Law group, where he assists clients with construction contracts and resolving construction disputes. He also has experience resolving lien and bond claims, performance disputes, licensing […]
RICHMOND, Va. (December 13, 2021) – The Virginia law firm, Gentry Locke, is pleased to announce the addition of Andrew (Drew) E. Hayhurst to its Richmond office, where he will assist clients with commercial transactions. “We are excited to welcome Drew to the firm,” said Gentry Locke Managing Partner Monica T. Monday. “Drew is an excellent addition to our growing transactional practice.” Hayhurst joins Gentry Locke from an AmLaw 100 firm where he worked on business and corporate issues. He earned his B.A. from The University of Mississippi and his J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law. In law […]
RICHMOND, Va. (December 13, 2021) – Gentry Locke Consulting is pleased to announce the addition of Zachary LeMaster. LeMaster will provide strategic communications guidance to clients to help advance their legal and policy goals. “Zach’s experience with the Virginia General Assembly will be a tremendous asset to our clients,” said President of Gentry Locke Consulting, Greg Habeeb. “Zach’s experiences have given him deep insight into the Virginia economy, and he looks forward to guiding businesses as we enter a new era in Virginia.” Gentry Locke Consulting is now the only firm than can offer clients the capabilities of two former […]
On December 8, 2021, Gentry Locke Partner Bill Gust spoke at a conference for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The presentation covered what a contractor needs to know when considering an ESOP as part of a succession/continuity and ownership transfer strategy, what questions to ask, and how to analyze an ESOP alternative in a construction environment.
ROANOKE, Va. (December 1, 2021) – The Virginia law firm of Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that 18 attorneys have been named to Virginia Business magazine’s 2021 Legal Elite. The list is determined by peer votes and is divided into 18 specialties. The Gentry Locke attorneys listed as “Legal Elite” for 2021 are: Thomas J. Bondurant, Jr., Criminal & Government Investigations William E. Callahan, Jr., Bankruptcy/Creditors Rights Christen C. Church, Healthcare Chip (John G.) Dicks, Government & Regulatory Affairs Alicha M. Grubb, Young Lawyer Gregory D. Habeeb, Government & Regulatory Affairs Gregory J. Haley, Municipal & Local Government Kevin […]
As you likely know, Federal OSHA has published its new Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) that requires private employers with more than 100 employees to mandate COVID-19 vaccines, or require at least weekly COVID testing for unvaccinated employees, among other things. Here is some preliminary information for employers. Basics: The ETS was published in the Federal Register on Friday November 5, 2021. See the link below to the OSHA Website. OSHA has published several documents to assist including an executive summary, FAQs, and sample policies. https://www.osha.gov/coronavirus/ets2 The ETS requires that employees be fully vaccinated by January 4, 2022 or have a […]
RICHMOND, Va. (November 8, 2021) – The Virginia law firm, Gentry Locke is pleased to welcome John P. (J.P.) Brown to its Richmond office. Brown will work in the firm’s insurance litigation practice. “J.P.’s litigation experience and knowledge of Virginia’s state and federal courts will be a tremendous asset to our clients. We are very excited to have him join our growing litigation team Richmond,” said Managing Partner, Monica T. Monday. Brown joins Gentry Locke from an Am Law 200 firm, where he litigated cases in the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia. He […]
ROANOKE, Va. (November 4, 2021) – The Virginia law firm of Gentry Locke is pleased to announce its inclusion in the 2022 Best Law Firms rankings published by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers®. The firm secured rankings in 31 practice areas, including 17 rankings as Metropolitan Tier 1, which is the highest tier for regional recognition. The firm’s list of rankings can be found below and on the Best Law Firms website. Metropolitan Tier 1 – Roanoke Antitrust Law Appellate Practice Banking and Finance Law Commercial Litigation Construction Law Corporate Law Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law Employment Law […]
ROANOKE, Va. (October 25, 2021) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce the addition of five new lawyers. Jasdeep Singh Khaira and Patrice L. Lewis have joined the firm’s Richmond office, and Charlie D. Morrison, Haley D. Santos and William L. Spotswood have joined the firm in Roanoke. Khaira has joined the firm’s Energy and Environmental practices. While in law school, he worked as a full-time legal extern for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Colorado. He also served as a clerk with the Sierra Club’s Environmental Law program and as a legal clinician with the […]
The Roanoke Law Foundation has inducted Gentry Locke Partner Gregory J. Haley as a Fellow. Induction as a Fellow is a special honor awarded to selected Virginia attorneys, law professors, and retired members of the judiciary who are deemed to be outstanding in their profession and in their community. The Roanoke Law Foundation serves as the public service and philanthropic arm of the Roanoke Bar Association for the purpose of supporting, improving and facilitating the administration of justice and providing and supporting law-related education. This mission is to be accomplished by raising funds to provide grants and other financial assistance to individuals and other organizations […]
ROANOKE, Va. (September 14, 2021) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that Roanoke partner Todd A. Leeson was named to Virginia Lawyers Weekly’s 2021 class of “Leaders in the Law” and Richmond associate D. Scott Foster Jr. was named to the publication’s 2021 class of “Up & Coming Lawyers.” All recipients will be honored during an awards ceremony on October 19 and will be profiled in the publication. Now in its 16th year, the Virginia Lawyers Weekly Leaders in the Law awards recognize lawyers across the commonwealth who are setting the standard for other Virginia […]
ROANOKE, Va. (August 07, 2021) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce the addition of associate Jessiah Hulle to its Criminal & Government Investigations Group in Roanoke. Hulle will work with clients on white-collar criminal defense matters in federal courts. Prior to joining the firm, Hulle served as a law clerk to the Honorable Mary Grace O’Brien of the Court of Appeals of Virginia. During law school he served as a student attorney with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office for Augusta County and as an intern for both the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of […]
Virginia follows the American Rule regarding attorney’s fees, which provides that parties must typically pay their own fees and costs in litigation; a prevailing litigant cannot collect its fees from the losing litigant. However, there are some exceptions. For example, a governing statute might include a fee-shifting section. Or, the litigants’ contract might include a similar clause. There is also a judicially-crafted exception that can apply in fraud cases. The exception has its roots in the case of Prospect Development Company v. Bershader, a 1999 decision by the Supreme Court of Virginia. There, the Court largely affirmed the trial court’s […]
Gust, Leeson and Worthy Selected for “Lawyer of the Year” Awards ROANOKE, Va. (August 19, 2021) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that 29 of the firm’s attorneys were recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© 2022, a national legal ranking. Attorneys were nominated by their peers and recognized for their outstanding professional achievement in numerous legal practice areas, including appellate, banking and finance law, bet-the-company litigation, commercial litigation, criminal defense, employment law, insurance law, medical malpractice law, real estate law, tax law, trusts and estates, and others. In addition, W. William Gust (Employee […]
A coal company makes a promise to a coal miner: “We will pay you $30 per ton of coal you deliver.” The coal miner then delivers the coal, but the coal company pays the miner only $15 per ton. The coal miner then sues the coal company. Does the miner have a claim for breach of contract? For fraud? Or for both? As with so many legal questions, the (maddening) answer is: it depends. Virginia law has strived to draw a distinction between contract and fraud claims, for perhaps obvious reasons. Take the facts above. The company’s failure to fulfill […]
The results of client matters depend on a variety of factors unique to each matter. Past successes do not predict or guarantee future successes.Gentry Locke for the Plaintiff Gentry Locke successfully tried a three-day bench trial in Roanoke City Circuit Court. Our client, the owner/landlord of a large commercial facility, obtained judgment against a former tenant for property damage and lost rent . The former tenant was found to have breached its obligations under a commercial lease . The former tenant failed to perform required maintenance and repair obligations over the term of its ten year occupancy of the facility. Following the end of the lease term, the landlord was forced pay for the necessary repairs. The Court awarded our client damages representing […]
ROANOKE, Va. (June 9, 2021) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to congratulate Catherine J. Huff on her recognition as the Roanoke Bar Association 2021 Young Lawyer of the Year. Huff joined Gentry Locke in 2011 as an associate and became partner in 2017. Since then, she has developed a successful practice, which focuses on employment, insurance, and workers’ compensation. She has litigated cases in both state and federal courts in Virginia and has also represented companies before the EEOC and the Department of Labor. Huff serves as the 8th District Representative on the Board of Governors […]
ROANOKE, Va. (May 12, 2021) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to welcome Partner Karen L. Cohen in Richmond. Cohen will work in the firm’s land use practice group where she will focus on assisting clients with obtaining local approvals for solar and energy storage projects to implement the Virginia Clean Economy Act. “Karen is an accomplished lawyer, who is well-known and highly-respected by members of the firm,” said Managing Partner, Monica T. Monday. “Our clients will benefit from her practical and commercial perspective.” In addition to her extensive land use and zoning experience, Cohen’s practice includes […]
ROANOKE, Va. (May 5, 2021) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to welcome John Danyluk to its Richmond office. Danyluk will work in the firm’s criminal and government investigations practice. “John had a distinguished career with the Army and we are excited to have him joining us to support our clients in Richmond and beyond,” said Managing Partner, Monica T. Monday. With experience in criminal defense, investigations, financial liability determinations and issues related to misconduct, Danyluk is well-positioned to help clients facing increasing legal and government scrutiny. As a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Western District […]
“Current Trends and the Initial Aftermath of the New July 2020 Employment Laws” Paul Klockenbrink and David Paxton May 11th 75-minutes This seminar will provide an update on current trends we are seeing in our practice as it relates to EEOC charges, employment litigation and compliance issues. We will discuss proactive and practical steps that should be taken to prepare for the ongoing and much anticipated increase in state employment claims, training and handbook updates, terminating employment, and how the new Virginia laws are impacting employers. Register here! “Dollars and Sense: Employee Compensation, Pay Equity, and What to Expect […]
ROANOKE, Va. (May 5, 2021) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that 18 of the firm’s attorneys were selected for recognition on the 2021 Virginia Super Lawyers® lists. Attorneys were nominated by their peers and recognized for their outstanding professional achievement in the areas of appellate law, business/corporate law, business litigation, construction litigation, criminal defense, employment law and litigation, government relations, health care, intellectual property, land use and zoning, personal injury, and professional liability. This year, Managing Partner Monica T. Monday has been recognized on Super Lawyers’ “Top 100,” “Top 10,” and “Top 50 Women” […]
The April meeting of the Interstate 81 Advisory Committee will be conducted virtually at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. Members of the public are invited to participate by viewing the meeting online and submitting questions over the phone. Participate in the Virtual Public Hearing by joining the live stream at the following link: http://improve81.org/advisory-committee-and-meetings/advisory-committee/default.asp. There will be a designated time for public comment during the meeting. Comments can be submitted by dialing 319-895-2103, followed by the PIN 808 401 455#. A caller may be placed on hold until others who have called in earlier have had the opportunity […]
In July of 2020, the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (“DOLI”) enacted an Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS”) setting forth workplace safety standards relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Virginia has now enacted a Final Permanent Standard for Infectious Disease Prevention: SARS-CoV-2 Virus that Causes COVID-19 (the “Permanent Standard”). The 58-page Permanent Standard, set forth in Section 16VAC25-220 of the Virginia Administrative Code, is effective as of January 27, 2021. The Permanent Standard applies to all employers in the Commonwealth, and supersedes the ETS. The Permanent Standard is based in large part on the ETS, and mandates appropriate personal protective equipment, […]
An April, 2019 deal reached in the Virginia General Assembly means that Interstate 81 will be receiving an ongoing infusion of cash to fund major improvements to the congested roadway, with projects beginning as soon as next year. This is tremendous news for the entire I-81 corridor in Virginia — and especially for Roanoke, the largest Virginia city along the interstate. These improvements will reduce the congestion that has plagued the corridor and will expedite the flow of commerce. Here at Gentry Locke, headquartered in Roanoke, we are excited about the growth and new development these improvements will spur over […]
VDOT is hosting a virtual public hearing on its proposed plan to widen Interstate 81 between exits 137 and 141 in Roanoke County and Salem. The Virtual Public Hearing takes place February 9, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The project is projected to cost $292.5 million, and would provide additional capacity and improve safety by widening 5.1 miles of I-81 from two lanes in both directions to three lanes in both directions, between mile markers 136.6 and 141.8 in Roanoke County and the City of Salem (see map below). Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in late 2021. The […]
ROANOKE, Va. (January 11, 2021) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce the promotion of Scott A. Stephenson to the partnership, effective January 1, 2021. “Scott provides fierce advocacy for his clients and I have enjoyed watching him grow in his practice and flourish at the firm,” said Gentry Locke Managing Partner Monica Monday. “We are pleased to welcome him to the firm’s partnership.” Stephenson is a member of the firm’s Business Litigation team. His experience includes complex business litigation, property disputes, mineral rights cases, municipal government litigation, and appellate matters. He thrives on the challenges presented by complicated cases […]
Minutes before midnight on December 21, 2020, in the first major COVID-19 relief bill since this spring, Congress passed a $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill in combination with a $1.4 trillion omnibus government spending bill. Key PPP provisions of the new COVID-19 relief bill include: A new round of PPP loans to small businesses. The new round of PPP loans contains revisions to prior borrower eligibility criteria, so eligibility for this new round should be examined by any interested businesses. Unlike prior rounds, initial language indicates borrowers will need to show a 25% decline in gross revenue for any 2020 […]
A Commercial Landlord’s Guide to Relief when a Tenant Abandons the Property Tenants come and go. Sometimes they go without warning. In an age of remote work, stay-at-home orders, and supply-chain delays, commercial landlords find themselves in a precarious position with tenants who threaten not to return or who just altogether leave. Of course, a landlord has available to it the traditional contractual remedies and those under the Virginia Landlord Tenant Act. However, there is another remedy often overlooked: the distress warrant. Given the severity and unique nature of the distress warrant, it is obvious why landlords infrequently rely on […]
ROANOKE, Va. (December 2, 2020) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that Imani Elizabeth Sowell has joined the firm’s Roanoke office as an associate with the Employment & Labor team. In her practice, Sowell will assist with internal investigations and the defense of federal and state court cases on a broad range of matters, as well as defending employers on administrative charges of discrimination, harassment and retaliation brought under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Title VII, Fair Labor Standards Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, and claims arising under new […]
ROANOKE, Va. (December 1, 2020) – The Virginia law firm of Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that 20 attorneys have been named to Virginia Business magazine’s 2020 Legal Elite. The list is determined by peer votes and is divided into 18 specialties. The Gentry Locke attorneys listed as “Legal Elite” for 2020 are: Thomas J. Bondurant, Jr., Criminal Law William E. Callahan, Jr., Bankruptcy/Creditors Rights Christen Church, Health Law Chip (John G.) Dicks, Administrative Government Michael Finney, Civil Litigation Alicha Grubb, Young Lawyer William Gust, Taxes Estates Trusts Gregory Habeeb, Administrative Government Paul Klockenbrink, Labor Employment Christopher Kozlowski, Taxes […]
Gentry Locke Consulting will be a full-service public affairs, communications, and marketing firm RICHMOND, VA – The Virginia law firm of Gentry Locke announced on Tuesday the opening of Gentry Locke Consulting and the expansion of its Richmond office with the hiring of Patrice Lewis, an experienced public affairs and communications professional. Gentry Locke Consulting will be a full-service public affairs, communications and marketing firm that will bring together talented professionals to serve clients. Gentry Locke Consulting will take a ‘mission-driven approach’ that emphasizes the organization’s core commitment to public service, uplifting voices, and helping clients make meaningful change. Gentry […]
ROANOKE, Va. (November 5, 2020) – The Virginia law firm of Gentry Locke is pleased to announce its inclusion in the 2021 Best Law Firms rankings published by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers®. The firm secured rankings in 31 practice areas, including 17 rankings as Metropolitan Tier 1, which is the highest tier for regional recognition. The firm’s list of rankings can be found below and also here. Metropolitan Tier 1 – Roanoke Antitrust Law Appellate Practice Banking and Finance Law Commercial Litigation Construction Law Corporate Law Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law Employment Law — Management Financial Services […]
A team of Gentry Locke litigators recently reached a settlement for $8 Million Dollars on behalf of a factory worker who was severely injured when her hair became entangled in the drive shaft and roller of the glue spreading machine she operated. The machine spun her hair around the shaft and roller, ultimately completely scalping her from eyebrows to the back of her neck and from ear to ear. Her life was saved by the Duke Medical Center but her injuries are permanent and debilitating. The claim we asserted on our client’s behalf was initially focused on the way the […]
Much like the I-81 construction in the western part of Virginia, the HRBT expansion project promises to have major implications for the southeastern part of the Commonwealth and beyond. In the immediate term, the massive construction project will be an undertaking like few other projects have ever seen. In the longer term, the economic benefits for the Commonwealth should prove real and significant. Our construction team continues to monitor these major projects, and has established this page to provide a resource for information about the on-going construction and any major issues related to it. We are available to assist with […]
ROANOKE, Va. (Oct. 5, 2020) – The Virginia law firm, Gentry Locke is pleased to announce the arrival of Jean D. Mumm as a partner in the firm’s commercial real estate practice. With more than 30 years of experience, Mumm brings a deep understanding of commercial real estate, business and finance transactions. “Jean is going to be a tremendous asset to the firm and our clients,” said Gentry Locke Managing Partner Monica T. Monday. “She has worked in the law firm setting and as in-house counsel, which provides her with the ability to really see challenges from the client side.” […]
The results of client matters depend on a variety of factors unique to each matter. Past successes do not predict or guarantee future successes.Gentry Locke for the Plaintiff This was a products liability case arising out of an industrial accident in which plaintiff’s hair became entangled in an unguarded glue roller and drive shaft, which resulted in a degloving of her scalp from the base of her skull past her eyebrows. Defendant manufacturer testified that the machine was designed to incorporate safety panels to prevent access from where plaintiff was standing. The panels were removed from the machine prior to shipment and were not installed by the machine installer.
Harbert, Gust, and Paxton Selected for “Lawyer of the Year” Awards ROANOKE, Va. (August 20, 2020 ) – The Virginia law firm of Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that 22 of the firm’s attorneys were recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© 2021, a national legal ranking. Attorneys were nominated by their peers and recognized for their outstanding professional achievement in numerous legal practice areas, including appellate, banking and finance law, bet-the-company litigation, commercial litigation, criminal defense, employment law, insurance law, medical malpractice law, real estate law, tax law, trusts and estates, and others. In addition, Guy M. Harbert III […]
The COVID-19 pandemic turned the world on its head just days after the 2020 General Assembly adjourned, all but guaranteeing that the General Assembly would reconvene for a Special Session sometime this year to reconcile the state budget and deal with the fallout from the outbreak. Since then, the murder of George Floyd created a sense of urgency around the need for police and criminal justice reform, producing a second set of issues to address. Governor Ralph Northam has now called the General Assembly back to Richmond on August 18 to take up both of these issues. At a broader […]
The 2020 Virginia General Assembly enacted significant changes to Virginia’s most widely used exemption statutes in Title 34. In 2020 Virginia House Bill 790, which becomes effective on July 1, 2020, the legislature expanded both the amount of and procedure for claiming what is commonly referred to as the “Homestead Exemption” by simplifying the procedure for debtors claiming those exemptions in a pending bankruptcy case. Currently the Homestead Exemption under section 34-4 of the Code of Virginia permits an individual (a “householder”) to exempt from creditor process real and personal property up to $5,000 in value (or $10,000 in value […]
Effective July 1, 2020, Virginia employers with 5 or more employees must be prepared to address and provide pregnancy-related accommodations to its employees. Similar to the Americans with Disabilities Act, the new law requires Virginia employers to engage in a timely, good faith interactive process to determine if a reasonable accommodation can be provided to an employee with limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, specifically including lactation. This process starts once an employee requests an accommodation related to pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition and/or notifies the employer that the employee is pregnant. Additionally, as further […]
Change is coming July 1, 2020. Do you know how Virginia’s new laws impact your business? We do. Virginia Values Act Virginia Clean Economy Act Virginia Whistleblower Protection Law Virginia Human Rights Act Virginia Business Returns to Work
A slim majority of the Supreme Court of Virginia recently affirmed a judgment in favor of a supplier against a general contractor for materials that a subcontractor had ordered from the supplier but not paid for. The case, Davis v. FTJ, is a cautionary tale for those who expect their legal obligations to end with the contracts they make. Under this case, “implied” contracts – i.e., fictional contracts implied by law – may carry those obligations much further. The general contractor in Davis engaged a subcontractor to provide drywall and metal framing for a project in Arlington County, Virginia. The […]
A new Executive Order signed by President Donald Trump is designed to ease regulatory enforcement on businesses amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. While helpful, this executive action falls short of granting any new liability protections to businesses, and leaves that action to Congress, which is divided over whether to grant legal protections from lawsuits. It also does not apply to actions by state regulatory agencies. The Order, signed Tuesday, May 19, encourages federal agencies to rescind, modify, waive, or provide exemptions to regulations and requirements that may slow economic recovery and discourages federal enforcement actions for businesses acting in reasonable good […]
