Gentry Locke Partner Named BRBJ’s “20 Under 40”

The Blue Ridge Business Journal named Jim Hale as one of its 2004 “20 Under 40” recipients for his commitment to his profession and community.

Excerpt taken from Blue Ridge Business Journal, Vol. 16, No. 17, August 23, 2004.

Jim Hale

            Age:  38

            Business:  Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore

            Location:  Roanoke

            Type of Business:  Law firm.

            Title:  Partner

            Background:  Family is originally from Narrows; grew up in Lancaster County, Pa. and in Belgium.

            Father was with New Holland Farm Machinery.  Parents back in Narrows on farm that has been in the family since the 18th Century.

            Bachelor’s degree in economics from George Mason University and law degree from Ohio Northern University College of Law.

            Before joining Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore, worked for a number of years on staff on Capitol Hill, including as counsel to the U.S. House Committee on Small Business.

            Works as general counsel to businesses, represents financial institutions, and assists with business immigration matters as head of the immigration practice for Gentry Locke.

            Serves on the board of the New Century Technology Council; the steering committee and as chairman-elect for Virginia’s Technology Capital Access Forum; the Roanoke City Parks and Recreation advisory board; the board of the Community Youth Program at St. John’s; the Virginia Bar Association Business Law Council Banking and Uniform Commercial Code Committee; as chairman of the Laws and Regulations Committee for the Kiwanis Club of Roanoke.

            Active with the capital campaign for Explore Park from 2001-2003; has taught Junior Achievement; graduate of Leadership Roanoke Valley.

            Has provided pro-bono legal services through the Pro Bono Hotline and Blue Ridge Legal Services, and as counsel to Friends of the U.S. Capitol Holiday Tree 2004.

            Married to Laura and they have a son, Chap, and a dog, Nash, who graduated from the St. Francis of Assisi Service Dog Foundation.

            Most Significant Professional Accomplishment:  “Serving as counsel to the lead bank, and structuring the relationship among seven lenders and the borrower, in connection with a significant Roanoke Valley community project, in which the borrower, the banks, and municipal governments worked together for more than a year to make the project a reality.”