News, Events, Seminars & Articles by Gentry Locke Attorneys

Gentry Locke and Wounded Warrior Regiment in the News

News May 2014

As a result of fundraising efforts for the Wildlife Foundation of Virginia to benefit the USMC Wounded Warrior Regiment based in Quantico, Virginia, Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore was featured in a Virginia Crossroads segment by John Carlin on WSLS Channel 10. Gentry Locke’s event, which took place on Friday, May 2, 2014 in Lexington, Virginia, raised over $7,200 to benefit wounded soldiers. 100% of the money raised will go to help provide wounded military with wheelchair-accessible hunting blinds, deer, goose, and duck hunts, and outdoor opportunities such fishing, target shooting, and hiking. A network of private land owners across Virginia, in different […]

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Ex-Navy SEAL Receives Probation for Classified Information Breach

News May 2014

This article, written by Michael L Owens, appeared in “The Daily Progress” newspaper following the conclusion of a case presented by Gentry Locke attorneys Thomas J. Bondurant, Jr. and Justin M. Lugar in federal court. Years of combat service and a Bronze Star saved a retired Navy SEAL from prison despite his previous guilty plea to loading classified information onto a thumb drive and sending it to a defense contractor in 2010. Bruce Schliemann, 50, of Virginia Beach, walked out of federal court Friday in Charlottesville with a sentence of three years’ unsupervised probation, a $10,000 fine and a ban […]

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“Pack the Park 2014” Helps Purchase Technology for Minnick School Students

News May 2014

Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore, LLP was pleased to be a sponsor of the Lutheran Family Service of Virginia’s “Pack the Park 2014” event at the Salem Red Sox stadium in Salem, Virginia. Gentry Locke’s donation helped Lutheran Family Services of Virginia purchase twenty iPads for students attending Minnick Schools. Minnick Schools serve students age 5 to 22 from 24 Virginia school districts in the Harrisonburg, Roanoke, Wytheville, and Wise regions. >> Learn more about Minnick Schools Lutheran Family Service of Virginia is a religious-based organization that provides services for adoption and foster care, autism resources and education, developmental services, disaster response […]

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Arbitration Clause Survives Dodd-Frank Challenge

Articles May 2014

On May 5, 2014, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals held that the Dodd-Frank Act1 does not override and render unenforceable an otherwise enforceable arbitration agreement where the plaintiff is not pursuing a Dodd-Frank whistleblower claim. In Santoro v. Accenture Federal Services, LLC, the court joined a number of other federal courts which have refused to allow Dodd-Frank to be used to make a broadside attack on the enforceability of pre-dispute arbitration agreements. This case arose out of an employment agreement, which renewed annually for eight years and contained a provision that required that arbitration be used to resolve all […]

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Ethical Issues Arising From Governmental Investigations and Potential Criminal Charges Under the Park Doctrine

Events May 2014

Gentry Locke partner Scott Austin will be a panelist at the ABA Food & Supplements conference in Wayzata, Minnesota on June 5, 2014. The topic will be “Ethical Issues Arising From Governmental Investigations and Potential Criminal Charges Under the Park Doctrine.”

Chipping Away at Our Sixth Amendment Right to Counsel: Kaley v. United States

Articles May 2014

It makes sense that criminals should not be allowed to profit from their wrongdoing. But, most would agree with the time-tested presumption of innocence afforded to all those accused of a crime. Imagine the scenario where a company, and its management, are accused of committing some economic crime such as tax fraud, social security fraud, etc. Upon establishing that probable cause exists to believe a crime occurred through a grand jury indictment, federal prosecutors can freeze the assets of any of the accused immediately if the assets would be subject to forfeiture if the accused was convicted. The accused, then, […]

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Leeson Educates HR Professionals on Whistleblower and Retaliation Claims at 2014 Virginia SHRM Conference

News April 2014

In each of the last four years, employment retaliation claims have comprised the largest number of charges filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). In addition, the federal government continues its proactive efforts to inform employees of their rights to file various whistleblower claims against their employers—see www.whistleblowers.gov. At the 2014 Virginia State SHRM Conference held at The Homestead resort in late April 2014, Gentry Locke partner Todd Leeson presented two sessions entitled “Whistleblower and Retaliation Claims: Legal Risks and Strategic Solutions for Employers.” Todd provided Virginia HR professionals with insights and recommendations to help them protect their organizations from liability. Please […]

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What To Do When Someone Hurts You, Your Family or Business

Articles April 2014

When someone injures you, a family member or your business, your first reactions are often purely emotional. “How could this happen to me, my family member, or my business?” The second reaction is to seek the advice of a healthcare provider or other professional who can help you “fix” the injury or problem. Rarely do people realize that they should SIMULTANEOUSLY be making sure that all evidence in their and other people’s hands is PRESERVED. Preservation of evidence is the subject of many voluminous treatises. However, it is simple. Anything that has to do with the accident or injury should […]

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Gentry Locke Welcomes Attorney Jonathan D. Puvak

News April 2014

The Virginia law firm of Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore is pleased to welcome Jonathan D. Puvak as an Associate. Jon will practice in our General Commercial practice group where he will assist clients with real estate, land use and zoning, and business and commercial matters. Prior to law school, Jon gained real estate development and business experience by working with NVR Inc., a national homebuilder and Fortune 500 company based in northern Virginia. During his four years with NVR, Jon worked in several positions including production, project management, and sales and marketing. Before joining Gentry Locke, Jon practiced real estate and […]

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The “Business Divorce”

Articles April 2014

There comes a time for most businesses when a current executive or employee decides to leave and establish a competing business. Like a divorce between husband and wife, there can be significant emotional and financial ramifications. The departing individual has likely spent years with the company developing relationships with co-workers. Such relationships are based on trust, respect, and a degree of dependency. These relationships can extend beyond the workplace and take on a personal nature. When an individual departs to compete against the former employer, those left behind may experience a sense of betrayal. There can also be a significant […]

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