The Library

The Virginia law firm of Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore, LLP has been retained to represent individuals who received tainted epidural cortisone injections (Methylprednisolone acetate) that have resulted in a rare fungal meningitis. Steroid injections sourced from New England Compounding Center (NECC) — the apparent source of the tainted injections — appear to have been administered to hundreds of people in Virginia, in addition to other states across the nation. An October 16th, 2012 FDA statement now reports that other injectables that were compounded at the NECC Massachusetts facility are suspected of being tainted as well; one for heart transplant patients, and a second epidural steroid […]

As Election Day approaches, it is important that employers understand their responsibilities under the law. In Virginia, there is no general statute that requires employers to give employees time off to vote. However, as in any situation, employers should take a reasonable approach; if an employee may not have an opportunity to vote otherwise, particularly if his/her work hours fully encompass polling hours, an employer should strongly consider allowing the employee time off to vote. If an employee has been officially appointed as an officer of the election by the local board of elections, then this employee has several statutory […]

The Virginia law firm of Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore, LLP is pleased to announce Associate Margaret A. “Megan” Brown has been recognized with the 2012 DePaul Community Resources Women of Achievement Award in the category of Law. Brown accepted the award at a luncheon on Oct. 2 at the Sheraton Roanoke Hotel & Conference Center. Brown, who focuses largely on medical malpractice matters, volunteers for Big Brothers Big Sisters of SW Virginia. She has also volunteered for several years for the Roanoke Bar Association’s Book Buddies Program, and is a pro bono volunteer for Blue Ridge Legal Services. Brown […]

Seventeen attorneys at the Roanoke, Virginia law firm of Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore, LLP have been named “Top Lawyers” for 2013. American Lawyer Media, a leading provider of news and information to the legal industry, has teamed with Martindale-Hubbell™ to highlight the following “Top Rated Lawyers” in the November issue of The American Lawyer: J. Rudy Austin: Litigation, Construction Law, Insurance Law Thomas J. Bondurant: Criminal Law Matthew W. Broughton: Litigation, Civil Law G. Franklin Flippin: Business & Commercial Diane J. Geller: Labor and Employment, Business & Commercial, Franchise Law W. William Gust: General Practice, Taxation, Trusts and Estates Gregory D. […]

Three attorneys at the Roanoke, Virginia law firm of Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore, LLP have been named “2013 Roanoke Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers. Only a single lawyer in each practice area in each community is honored by Best Lawyers as “Lawyer of the Year”. K. Brett Marston: Best Lawyers Roanoke Lawyer of the Year for Construction Law (2013) G. Michael Pace, Jr.: Best Lawyers Roanoke Lawyer of the Year for Real Estate Law (2013) and Corporate Law (2013) William R. Rakes: Best Lawyers Roanoke Lawyer of the Year for Banking and Finance Law (2013) Previous honorees and their year for […]

Gregory D. Habeeb, Anthony M. Russell, and Charles L. Williams, partners at the Roanoke, Virginia law firm of Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore, LLP, have received Client Distinction Awards from Martindale-Hubbell. Clients who took the time to fill in a survey rated them exceptionally high in the following areas of service: Communications Ability Responsiveness Quality of Service Value for Money Less than 4% of the 900,000+ attorneys listed on martindale.com and lawyers.com have been accorded this Martindale-Hubbell honor of distinction.

Super Lawyers Business Edition has named thirteen Gentry Locke attorneys to its United States 2012 edition: J. Rudy Austin – Construction Litigation E. Scott Austin – Criminal Defense/White Collar G. Franklin Flippin – Business/Corporate Gregory J. Haley – Business Litigation Guy M. Harbert, III – Plaintiff Defense/General Paul G. Klockenbrink – Employment & Labor K. Brett Marston – Construction Litigation Monica T. Monday – Appellate G. Michael Pace, Jr. – Real Estate W. David Paxton – Employment & Labor William R. Rakes – Business Litigation J. Scott Sexton – Business Litigation Bruce C. Stockburger – Business/Corporate Super Lawyers Business Edition is an annual […]

Businesses routinely conduct investigations into workplace misconduct and other incidents. In most investigations, the individuals interviewed and the person who brought the complaint are directed not to discuss the investigation with others. Plenty of good reasons exist for this practice, which many HR professionals believe is a “best practice.” In two very recent actions, this practice has been attacked by the government and found to be unlawful. While no court has upheld this challenge to the standard confidentiality approach to workplace investigations, these recent actions suggest that employers should evaluate their current practices going forward. On July 30, 2012, the […]

The Virginia law firm of Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore is pleased to announce the addition of the following four attorneys: Les S. Bowers joined the Firm in September of 2012, and will practice with the Firm’s Personal Injury and Products Liability groups. Bowers received his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia, McIntire School of Commerce in 2005 and his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 2008. He is licensed to practice law in both Virginia and North Carolina, and has been admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court Bar Association, Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, […]