News, Events, Seminars & Articles by Gentry Locke Attorneys

Are Commercial Truck and Bus Drivers in the United States Required to Speak and Understand English?

Articles March 2026

Yes! However, this was not the law until the enactment of H.R.3608/S.2991, which was just enacted into public law. Let’s face it, some jobs in the United States require workers to be able to read, speak, and understand the English language. Perhaps there is no more compelling need for such communication than by the operator of a large commercial vehicle such as a tractor-trailer or bus, which literally can weigh over 70,000 pounds and be as long as 120 feet. These vehicles are not only heavy and long, but they are also tall and often as high as 14 feet. […]

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President Trump Issues Executive Order Targeting Cybercrime: What Businesses Should Know

Articles March 2026

President Trump has issued a broad executive order aimed at confronting the growing threat of cyber‑enabled crime, signaling a more aggressive, national‑security‑oriented approach than prior federal efforts. The order—released alongside the administration’s “Cyber Strategy for America”—focuses on dismantling transnational criminal organizations responsible for ransomware, financial fraud, phishing, extortion, and related cyber schemes. Although the order does not impose new legal requirements on private companies, it foreshadows increased government engagement with the private sector and heightened enforcement expectations across several industries. A Shift in Focus: Cybercrime as a National Security Threat The executive order frames cybercrime not merely as a law‑enforcement […]

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Gentry Locke Partner Alicha M. Grubb Named to Influential Women of Law Class of 2026 by Virginia Lawyers Weekly

News February 2026

ROANOKE, Va. (February 27, 2026) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that partner Alicha M. Grubb has been selected as a member of the Virginia Lawyers Weekly Influential Women of Law Class of 2026, an honor recognizing outstanding women attorneys across the Commonwealth for their leadership, professional excellence, and impact on the legal profession. She becomes the seventh woman from Gentry Locke to receive this prestigious recognition, underscoring the firm’s continued commitment to advancing women in the legal profession and celebrating excellence in leadership and service. The Influential Women of Law program honors women attorneys […]

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Defense Win in ERISA Long-Term Disability Termination Case

Case Studies February 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 filed a lawsuit alleging that our client, Mutual of Omaha, wrongfully terminated his long-term disability benefits in violation of Federal law (the ERISA statute). Plaintiff was a “Portfolio Manager” for an investment firm in Northern Virginia. He alleged that he was totally disabled from his occupation by a variety of lumbar spine conditions which resulted in spinal surgery and a post-surgical diagnosis of post-laminectomy syndrome. Plaintiff’s job involved sedentary work with frequent travel. Mutual of Omaha engaged independent, board-certified neurosurgeons and other relevant medical experts who reviewed plaintiff’s medical records and concluded that there was insufficient evidence that his […]

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Is That Indemnification Provision Enforceable? Lessons From Fifteen Years of Case Law Applying Va. Code § 11-4.1

Articles February 2026

Article originally featured in the Virginia Lawyer, Vol. 74 No. 5 published by the Virginia State Bar. It’s Wednesday night, and like most lawyers (perhaps a slight exaggeration), you and your esteemed colleagues are deep in a game of construction law jeopardy. Amid the fervor of the room, and noticing you are only slightly behind the leader, you select your next category—“Contract Terms” for $800. Your friend and moderator, channeling his best Alex Trebek, reads the statement, “a duty to make good any loss, damage, or liability incurred by another.”[1] The familiar melancholic tune begins to play, but it doesn’t […]

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2026 Employment Law Symposium

Events February 2026

Lynchburg: Thursday, May 7, 2026 The Virginian Hotel Register Here Roanoke: Thursday, May 14, 2026 The Hotel Roanoke Register Here Early Bird Rate: $250 (register by March 27), Regular Rate: $300 Due to space limitations and to ensure the maximum number of companies who wish to attend may do so, we ask that no company register more than 5 persons per location. Topics include: policies, handling complaints, investigations, and employee relations issues; cybersecurity; lobbying and legislations; immigration compliance and ICE audits; and more. 7:45 AM Breakfast and Networking | 8:30 AM First Session Starts | 11:45 AM Lunch […]

2026 Brings Payroll Glitch for Salaried Employees: What All Employers Need to Know

Articles January 2026

Many employers pay salaried and hourly employees on a biweekly schedule, which usually results in 26 pay periods per year. In 2026, paying salaried employees on a biweekly schedule, could cause some employers to issue 27 biweekly payrolls, depending on how their payroll calendar falls. This anomaly occurs roughly every decade due to leap years and the fact that a 365-day year does not divide evenly into 14-day pay cycles. But while the cause is simple, the consequences for employers can be anything but. If your organization hasn’t considered whether you will have a 27-pay-period cycle in 2026, now is […]

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Gentry Locke Partner Matt W. Broughton Inducted into the Virginia Law Foundation Fellows Class of 2026

News January 2026

ROANOKE, Va. (January 27, 2026) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that partner Matt W. Broughton has been inducted into the Virginia Law Foundation Fellows Class of 2026. Inductees were formally honored at the Virginia Law Foundation’s annual dinner on January 22 at the Williamsburg Lodge. The Fellows program recognizes Virginia attorneys who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, professional excellence, and dedication to advancing the legal profession and their communities. Broughton leads Gentry Locke’s Plaintiff/Personal Injury practice and serves on the firm’s Executive Board. With more than thirty-nine years of experience trying hundreds of complex cases, […]

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Gentry Locke Partner Alicha M. Grubb Installed as Chair of the Virginia Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division

News January 2026

ROANOKE, Va. (January 26, 2026) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that partner Alicha M. Grubb has been installed as Chair of the Virginia Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division (YLD), a leadership role within one of the Commonwealth’s most respected voluntary bar organizations. Grubb was installed during the Virginia Bar Association’s Annual Meeting, held January 22-24 in Williamsburg, Virginia. She will serve as Chair for the upcoming term, leading the YLD’s efforts to support professional development, leadership, and public service among Virginia’s emerging attorneys. The VBA Young Lawyers Division serves attorneys age forty and under […]

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