News, Events, Seminars & Articles by Gentry Locke Attorneys

Motions Craving Oyer: A Powerful, but Limited Tool in Virginia Practice

Articles May 2018

While its name may suggest it is a vestige of Virginia’s legal history, a motion craving oyer remains a powerful, but limited tool in Virginia practice. When a plaintiff sues based on a written contract or other document but fails to attach it to his complaint, a defendant should consider “craving oyer” of the document. “[A] motion to crave oyer is a request of the Court to require that a document sued upon, or a collateral document which is necessary to the Plaintiff’s claim, be treated as though it were part of the Plaintiff’s pleadings.” Ragone v. Waldvogel, Poe and […]

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Can a Defendant Successfully Avoid Rule 3:20 in Virginia Circuit Courts?

Articles May 2018

Using Sworn Testimony in Support of a Motion for Summary Judgement in Virginia Circuit Courts One of the biggest distinctions between federal practice and Virginia practice is that, in Virginia practice, summary judgment cannot be based upon deposition testimony. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that all previously given sworn testimony is off-limits. Rule 3:20 of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia states, in part: No motion for summary judgment or to strike the evidence shall be sustained when based in whole or in part upon any discovery depositions under Rule 4:5, unless all parties to the action shall […]

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Piercing the Corporate Veil: Pursuit and Defense of Shareholders’ Individual Assets

Events May 2018

On May 30, 2018 two Gentry Locke partners will present a CLE to Virginia CLE attendees at Virginia CLE’s Charlottesville, Virginia headquarters. Michael J. Finney and Alicha Grubb will present alongside an attorney from a Charlottesville firm, Jonathan T. Blank. The event website page describes the session thusly: Our experienced speakers will address this complex issue from both the plaintiff’s and the defendant’s point of view, highlighting the issues at stake and sharing practical tips to assist your representation of your client’s interests. Among the issues they will address are: How strong is the presumption of the corporate veil? What can a […]

#MeToo and the Male Business Executive: A Call For Proactive Leadership

Articles May 2018

Gentry Locke employment law partner Todd Leeson recently published an important article for business executives. The article was inspired by contrasting images of women in an upscale steakhouse. Todd implores executives to take action to ensure a culture of respect in the workplace. Read the formatted PDF of the article Reprinted with permission from the April 27, 2018 edition of CorporateCounsel© 2018 ALM Media Properties, LLC. All rights reserved. Picture an upscale steakhouse in a bustling downtown of a mid-size southern city—a swanky joint where every night hundreds of patrons happily pay $50+ for a delicious steak, and $15 for […]

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Gentry Locke awarded The Roanoker’s “Best of Roanoke” Best Law Firm for second consecutive year

News May 2018

ROANOKE, Va. (May 4, 2018) – The Virginia law firm of Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that it has been awarded “Best Law Firm – Platinum” within The Roanoker magazine’s 2018 “Best of Roanoke” reader poll. The platinum award is the highest honor in each category. Gentry Locke was also named “Best Law Firm – Platinum” in the 2017 “Best of Roanoke.” The Roanoker’s “Best of Roanoke” poll tabulates more than 68,000 reader votes in more than 150 categories. The 2018 “Best of” issue, which marks the 31st annual poll, published on May 4. The Roanoker is the longest continuously […]

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#HR: 2018 Employment Law Symposium

Events May 2018

ROANOKE: MAY 10 – Full The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center LYNCHBURG: MAY 14 The Craddock Terry Hotel and Event Center Human Resources is buzzing along at the speed of NOW. Is your company able to keep up? Gentry Locke’s Employment Law Team will help your company be prepared for and inoculated against some of the most potent viral movements we’ve ever seen. Register now to learn about the most click-worthy issues affecting businesses this year! Registration is open for Lynchburg (May 14) Professional Credits: As a SHRM Recertification Provider, Gentry Locke is recognized by SHRM to offer 6.5 hours […]

Seasoned Medical Malpractice Attorney Powell M. “Nick” Leitch III Joins Gentry Locke

News April 2018

ROANOKE, Va. (April 23, 2018) – The Virginia law firm of Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that Powell M. “Nick” Leitch, III has joined as a partner in Gentry Locke’s Medical Malpractice practice group. He previously served as a partner at LeClairRyan. “We have an enormous amount of respect for Nick, and are so pleased that he will bring such a wealth of experience to our medical malpractice team,” said Gentry Locke Managing Partner Monica Taylor Monday. “We welcome him to our firm and look forward to further servicing our clients with him aboard.” “Gentry Locke is an esteemed […]

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Law and Medicine: Physicians in the Courtroom presentation

Events April 2018

Gentry Locke attorneys Ben Byrd and Nick Leitch will present a seminar to Virginia Tech/Carilion School of Medicine’s 4th-year students on Monday, April 30 at the Riverside complex in Roanoke. The “Law and Medicine: Physicians in the Courtroom” course will deal with the various ways in which the lives of these physicians can intersect with the legal system throughout their careers, both in terms of being witness-advocates for their patients, as well as expert witnesses and/or witnesses on their behalf in medical litigation. Attorneys Byrd and Leitch will be joined by Professor Tim MacDonnell of Washington & Lee School of […]

27 Gentry Locke Attorneys Named 2018 Virginia Super Lawyers or Rising Stars

News April 2018

ROANOKE, Va. (April 17, 2018) – Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that 27 of the firm’s attorneys were selected for inclusion in the 2018 Virginia Super Lawyers® list, a national legal ranking. Attorneys were nominated by their peers and recognized for their outstanding professional achievement in several legal practice areas, including civil litigation, appellate law, criminal defense, business litigation, business/corporate law, construction litigation, land use and zoning, employment & labor law and litigation, personal injury, professional liability, and tax law. Of those selected, 17 of the firm’s attorneys from the Roanoke and Lynchburg offices were named as Virginia Super […]

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J. Rudy Austin Named Roanoke Bar Association Lifetime Achievement Award Winner

News April 2018

ROANOKE, Va. (April 11, 2018) – The Virginia law firm of Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that Roanoke Retired Partner J. Rudy Austin has been selected as the 2018 recipient of the Roanoke Bar Association (RBA) Frank W. “Bo” Rogers, Jr., Lifetime Achievement Award. Austin will be formally presented with the award at the RBA Law Day Luncheon on May 1. “This is a tremendous honor that recognizes Rudy’s remarkable career, and sustained contributions to the profession and the bar,” said Gentry Locke Managing Partner Monica Taylor Monday. “Rudy is a model lawyer who has upheld the highest ideals […]

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