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Former Virginia Cabinet Secretary Carlos Hopkins Joins Gentry Locke

RICHMOND, Va. (September 13, 2022) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to welcome Carlos L. Hopkins as a partner in the firm’s Government and Regulatory Affairs practice and the Criminal and Government Investigations practice in Richmond. Hopkins is the former Counsel to Governor McAuliffe and former Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs.

“Carlos brings more than 25 years of experience in the military, government and civilian sectors, giving him a unique perspective into the legal, legislative and regulatory landscape in Virginia,” said Gentry Locke Managing Partner Monica T. Monday. “We are pleased to welcome Carlos to our team and are confident that his innovative approach to client service will serve as an asset to the firm.”

Prior to joining Gentry Locke, Hopkins spent five years serving as Virginia’s Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, appointed in 2017 by former Governor Terence R. McAuliffe and reappointed by Governor Ralph S. Northam. In this role, he coordinated all state and federal resources to support Virginia’s veterans’ community and served as the Commonwealth’s chief liaison with Virginia’s federal defense installations. Hopkins regularly advised the Governor on federal legislative and regulatory actions impacting Virginia’s veterans’ and military communities. He implemented several important measures during his tenure, including co-leading the Commonwealth’s suicide prevention efforts for service members and their families and increasing the number of veterans hired through the Virginia Values Veterans program from 31,000 to over 65,000. In 2013, Hopkins was appointed to Governor McAuliffe’s Cabinet as his primary legal advisor.

Hopkins has additional experience in litigation and trial practice, serving seven years as a prosecutor in the City of Richmond, supervising the narcotics and Project Exile prosecutions and working to stem the flow of drugs and illegal firearms in the city. Hopkins also spent time in the Richmond City Attorney’s Office and in private practice with a focus on civil and criminal litigation.

“We strive to provide steady guidance to our clients as they navigate Virginia’s rapidly-changing demographic, economic, and political landscape and Carlos’ background in civil service paired with his litigation experience will enhance our abilities in helping businesses and organizations respond to changes quickly and efficiently,” said Gregory D. Habeeb, Chair of Gentry Locke’s Government and Regulatory Affairs group.

A graduate of the University of Richmond School of Law, Hopkins received his B.A from The Citadel. He currently serves as the Staff Judge Advocate for the Virginia National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters and has over 31 years of service in the Reserve and Guard forces of the United States as a Judge Advocate and former enlisted soldier. In 2008, Hopkins deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where he served as the Chief of Military Justice for Joint Task Force Guantanamo. He deployed to the Middle East in 2021 with the 29th Infantry Division, serving as the Division Staff Judge Advocate for Operation Spartan Shield. He served as chair of the Virginia Military Advisory Council from 2017 – 2022 and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Richmond Ambulance Authority and Virginia Voice.

About Gentry Locke

With more than 75 lawyers practicing across a range of disciplines, Gentry Locke brings uncommon thinking and deep experience to the legal and business challenges of companies, institutions, organizations and individuals—a commitment the firm has met since 1923. Operating from offices in Roanoke, Lynchburg, and Richmond, Virginia, Gentry Locke serves clients in Virginia and across the United States. Meet the firm’s dynamic attorneys and learn more about its fierce drive to achieve success for its clients by exploring our website.

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