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When Words Cross the Line: Lessons from a $1 Million Defamation Verdict

Articles

In July 2022, a former Virginia state senator, Brandon Bell, and his wife, Deborah Bell, sent a letter on state Senate letterhead accusing a 15-year-old Cave Spring High School student of sexually assaulting their daughter. Three years later, a Roanoke County jury ruled that the Bells’ accusations were not only false but defamatory per se, and awarded the plaintiff, Jane Doe, $1 million in damages plus pre-judgment interest. Background: The dispute traces back to 2021, when Jane Doe, then a high school sophomore, and the Bells’ daughter, began a same-sex relationship after meeting in band. Both testified that the relationship […]

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Gentry Locke Announces Inaugural Gentry Locke Cup

News

Roanoke, Va. (September 15, 2025) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce the launch of the Gentry Locke Cup. The Gentry Locke Cup is a spirited new athletic competition among four schools in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC), each representing one of the four markets served by Gentry Locke: Roanoke, Lynchburg, Richmond, and Norfolk. The participating schools include: Roanoke College (Roanoke) University of Lynchburg (Lynchburg) Randolph-Macon College (Richmond) Virginia Wesleyan University (Hampton Roads) Through the competition season, teams from each school will go head-to-head across a variety of sports. Points will be awarded based on […]

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The Gentry Locke Cup

Events

The Gentry Locke Cup is a spirited athletic competition among four schools in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC), each representing one of the four markets served by Gentry Locke: Roanoke, Lynchburg, Richmond, and Norfolk. The participating schools include Roanoke College (Roanoke), University of Lynchburg (Lynchburg), Randolph-Macon College (Richmond), and Virginia Wesleyan University (Hampton Roads). Teams from each school compete head-to-head in a range of sports and earn two points per win and one point per tie. At the end of the competition season, the school with the highest total score will be awarded the Gentry Locke Cup and will […]

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Does My Virginia Lawsuit Belong in General District Court, Circuit Court, or Federal Court?

Articles

As a plaintiff personal injury attorney, clients often wonder which court their case will be filed in. This article will discuss the three trial courts in which a Virginia civil lawsuit can potentially be filed—general district court, circuit court, and federal district court. General District Court In Virginia, general district courts have jurisdiction over almost all types of civil claims up to $50,000.[1] In other words, any claim for breach of contract, personal injury, or property damage not exceeding $50,000 can be filed in general district court.[2] If you have a contract, personal injury, or property damage claim for $4,500 […]

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Virginia Business Names K. Brett Marston and Gregory D. Habeeb to its 2025 Virginia 500 Power List

News

Roanoke, Va. (September 3, 2025) – 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 2025 “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 serves as the current President of the Virginia State Bar. Greg Habeeb was selected in the category of Professional Services. Habeeb is the President of Gentry Locke Consulting, as well as Chairs Gentry Locke’s Government and Regulatory Affairs practice group. “The list […]

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Advisory Note: Recent Ruling Deems Certain Tariffs Unlawful

Articles

A federal appeals court ruled on Friday that President Trump’s attempt to bypass Congress and impose sweeping tariffs on foreign products was unlawful. The Trump administration had argued that import duties are necessary to strengthen the U.S. economy, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled 7-4 that the Trump administration went too far when he declared national emergencies to justify tariffs on other countries writing that “it seems unlikely that Congress intended to… grant the President unlimited authority to impose tariffs.” The ruling did not take effect immediately and provided the administration time to appeal to […]

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Gentry Locke Partners Paul G. Klockenbrink and John G. Danyluk Recognized by Virginia Lawyers Weekly

News

Roanoke, Va. (September 2, 2025) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that Paul G. Klockenbrink has been named to the Virginia Lawyers Weekly 2025 “Leaders in the Law” list and John G Danyluk has been named to the publication’s “Up & Coming Lawyers” Class of 2025. Honorees will be recognized at the Virginia Lawyers Weekly celebration on October 30 in downtown Richmond. Now in its 20th year, the Virginia Lawyers Weekly Leaders in the Law awards recognize lawyers across the Commonwealth who are setting the standard for other Virginia lawyers. “Leaders” are changing the law, […]

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Virginia Lawyers Weekly Names Gentry Locke Partner Bruce C. Stockburger a 2025 Go To Lawyer for Taxation

News

ROANOKE, Va. (August 25, 2025) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that partner Bruce C. Stockburger has been named a 2025 Go To Lawyer for taxation by Virginia Lawyers Weekly. Now in its fifth year, the Go To Lawyers program recognizes top lawyers across Virginia who demonstrate excellence in their field. Honorees are selected based on several criteria, including a track record of success, peer referrals, and the ability to handle complex matters with creativity and skill. Stockburger, who is based in the firm’s Roanoke office, focuses his practice on taxation, trusts and estates, and […]

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31 Gentry Locke Attorneys Recognized in Best Lawyers® 2026 Lists

News

ROANOKE, Va. (August 21, 2025) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that thirty-one of the firm’s attorneys are included in the 2026 Best Lawyers® lists, including twenty-eight attorneys recognized in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and three attorneys recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America. Of the thirty-one attorneys recognized in The Best Lawyers in America, two attorneys were also recognized with a 2026 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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