News, Events, Seminars & Articles by Gentry Locke Attorneys

Getting the Name Right on the Contract Really Matters

Articles April 2016

It sounds like the most simple and innocuous thing. Who could mess up the parties’ names on a contract? And, what’s the big deal if the name is not exactly right? Under Virginia law, it is a bigger issue than you might think. In particular, it is an issue that can rear its head when one or more of the parties is a corporation or limited liability company. Getting the name correct – that is, using the officially-registered corporate name – is necessary, and failure to do so can impact legal rights. For example, in Berglund Chevrolet, Inc. v. Thor […]

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Want to Build a Dam? Stop, Look, Ask, and Listen

Articles March 2016

What was once a simple decision to dam up a creek or stream and create a pond or small lake for agricultural or recreational purposes is no longer a simple decision. Rather, it is one that could be very expensive, complicated, and very disappointing. The construction of dams is now a highly regulated activity in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Over the last several years, landowners have had to face the proposition of reversing impoundment activities and draining existing lakes and ponds because of a failure to properly comply with the applicable dam rules and regulations. When permitting requirements exist, it […]

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Brownfields Initiatives: Challenges and Successes

Events March 2016

Gentry Locke attorney Charlie Williams will co-present a session on brownfields initiatives at the INTERSECTION OF EMS, EHS, SECURITY, RESILIENCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT conference presented by Aegis Environmental Inc., Gregori Consulting LLC, and Robert G. Burnley LLC. “Brownfields initiatives – Challenges and Successes” will be presented by Williams and David Sayre as part of the Economic Development/Expansion Preplanning section offered during the conference.

Ask the Experts: Your Questions Answered about First and Second Stage Transactions

Events March 2016

Gentry Locke attorney Bill Gust will participate in a session which gives attendees the chance to ask experts about how to buy stock from an owner, whether in the first purchase or subsequent ones.

Second State ESOP Transactions

Events March 2016

Gentry Locke attorney Bill Gust will participate in an exploration of issues that arise in subsequent ESOP transactions related to share price, bank covenants and financial ratios. Discussion will include considerations by Plan Trustees as they make the purchase, including the decision of whether to use the same financial advisor or hiring a new appraiser to serve for the transaction.

Jury Affirms Insurance Company Decision on Roof Repair Claim

Case Studies February 2016

The results of client matters depend on a variety of factors unique to each matter. Past successes do not predict or guarantee future successes.

Gentry Locke for the Defense Roanoke County Circuit Court The plaintiffs sued their insurance company, claiming the insurance company wrongly denied coverage for replacement of an 8,800 square foot roof. They claimed their roof was irreparably damaged by a hailstorm. The insurer excluded the claim on the basis that the roof had eroded and was totally deteriorated prior to the hailstorm occurring, and therefore no hail damage was compensable. After a two-day trial, the jury came back with a verdict in favor of our insurance client.

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Gentry Locke Welcomes Associate Jennifer DeGraw

News January 2016

ROANOKE, VA (January 23, 2016) – Gentry Locke is pleased to welcome Jennifer S. DeGraw to our Roanoke, Virginia headquarters. Jennifer will join the firm’s Criminal & Government Investigations group, focusing on defending white-collar criminal matters in federal court. According to Thomas J. Bondurant, Jr., who leads Gentry Locke’s Criminal & Government Investigations group, “We are extremely fortunate to have convinced Jenny to join Gentry Locke. She is an extraordinarily talented lawyer who will be of great benefit to our clients.” Prior to joining Gentry Locke, Jennifer was a state prosecutor in North Carolina and a federal prosecutor in Virginia. […]

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Gentry Locke Welcomes Associate Court Shipman to Lynchburg Office

News January 2016

LYNCHBURG, VA (January 27, 2016) – Gentry Locke is pleased to welcome J. Court Shipman to our Lynchburg office. Court will focus on assisting clients with their business and corporate needs. Prior to joining Gentry Locke, Court served as associate counsel to Liberty University, advising the university’s general counsel and various leaders on legal issues such as contract disputes, trademarks, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and state and local government compliance. Prior to his work at the university, Court served as a staff auditor for a major rail corporation, and held an internship […]

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Advice to CIOs on Cyber Security Legal Issues

Events January 2016

On January 27, 2016, Gentry Locke partner Todd Leeson presented a talk on Cybersecurity as part of a CIO Forum hosted by Cox Business. The event was held at the Hotel Roanoke and attended by CIOs and executives of businesses in the Roanoke Valley. Heather Engel, an Executive Vice President with Sera-Brynn, also served as a panelist at the Forum.

Don’t Get Snowed in by New DOL Pay Transparency Regulations

Articles January 2016

Like the roads in our region affected by 2016’s Winter Storm Jonas, the avenue of compliance for federal contractors has just become a little more treacherous. The Department of Labor’s Final Rule affecting federal government contractors’ policies on pay transparency went into effect on January 11, 2016. [1] The Rule, which implements Executive Order 13665, which was signed by President Barack Obama back in April 2014, is the DOL’s effort to promote pay transparency by barring policies of certain federal contractors which previously prevented workers from discussing their wages. Now, covered federal contractors are prohibited from firing or otherwise disciplining employees […]

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