News, Events, Seminars & Articles by Gentry Locke Attorneys

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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Gentry Locke Partners D. Scott Foster, Jr., Paul D. Hawkins, and Michael V. Moro, II Named to Coastal Virginia Magazine’s 2026 Top Lawyers List

News January 2026

NORFOLK, Va. (January 22, 2026) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that partners D. Scott Foster, Jr., Paul D. Hawkins, and Michael V. Moro, II were named to Coastal Virginia Magazine’s 2026 Top Lawyers list. This award is determined through a peer-to-peer nomination process and recognizes attorneys in the Coastal Virginia legal community who are regarded by their peers as leaders in their respective practice areas. “Scott, Paul, and Mike exemplify the high level of skill, professionalism, and dedication to client service that defines Gentry Locke,” said Managing Partner, K. Brett Marston. “This recognition from their […]

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Gentry Locke Business Development Support Manager Kathleen M. Lordan Named a Virginia Lawyers Weekly 2025 Unsung Legal Hero

News January 2026

ROANOKE, Va. (January 16, 2026) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that Business Development Support Manager Kathleen M. Lordan has been selected as one of Virginia Lawyers Weekly’s 2025 Unsung Legal Heroes. This prestigious recognition honors law firm professionals whose dedication, leadership, and behind-the-scenes contributions play a vital role in their firms’ success. The full list can be viewed here. Lordan has been a cornerstone of Gentry Locke for over seven years, leading the firm’s Business Development Department and overseeing a team of creative and professional individuals who implement the firm’s business development initiatives across […]

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