Gentry Locke Welcomes Partner Paul D. Hawkins to its General Commercial Group

NORFOLK, Va. (June 23, 2025) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that Paul Hawkins has joined the firm as a partner in our Norfolk office on the General Commercial team. Paul brings extensive experience in government contracting, with a focus on advising clients on a wide array of compliance and other legal issues unique to government contractors.

“We are pleased to have Paul join our growing Norfolk office,” said Gentry Locke Managing Partner Brett Marston. “His practice and experience expands our capabilities in the Hampton Roads region and will be a tremendous asset to our clients and the firm.”

Hawkins practice spans a broad range of services designed to support businesses at every stage of growth, with particular emphasis on the unique needs of government contractors. He advises clients on corporate formation and governance, including structures tailored for government contracting needs. His experience includes guiding clients through strategic mergers, acquisitions, and succession planning, as well as structuring joint ventures and partnerships, including those under the SBA All-Small Mentor-Protégé Program.

A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Hawkins served on active duty as a Surface Warfare Officer and continues to serve in the Navy Reserve. Prior to joining Gentry Locke, he was a partner at a boutique firm focused on government contracting and construction, where he developed a strong reputation for solving complex regulatory challenges and helping contractors compete and grow in a dynamic marketplace.

Hawkins earned his J.D. from William & Mary Law School and holds a B.S. from East Carolina University.

About Gentry Locke

With over 80 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, Richmond, and Norfolk, 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.