Monday, June 20th, 2022
Last Friday, June 17th, Dean Spencer was presented with the 2022 William R. Rakes Leadership in Education Award at the Virginia Bar Association Meeting in Virginia Beach. Dean Spencer actually presented Bill Rakes the inaugural Rakes award in 2012. This year, ten years later, Bill had the pleasure of returning the honor.
The Rakes award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and vision in developing and implementing innovative concepts to improve and enhance the state of legal education, and in advancing relationships and professionalism among members of the academy, the bench, and the bar within the legal profession in Virginia.
Read more about Dean Spencer, here: https://www.vsb.org/site/news/item/spencer_rakes_award050322
Friday, June 10th, 2022
Gentry Locke partner Todd Leeson has been named a “Go-To Lawyer” in Employment Law by Virginia Lawyers Weekly. The “Go-To Lawyers” recognition program identifies the top lawyers in their practice across the Commonwealth.
A “Go-To Lawyer” is so named because they are considered leaders in his or her field, they have enjoyed a record of success throughout their career, and they are the first person that comes to mind from referring attorneys and others in the legal profession.
Todd Leeson oversees Gentry Locke’s employment practice – a group known for giving candid, realistic assessments and providing creative solutions. Clients rely on Todd’s counsel to minimize risk in today’s increasingly litigious society, but when disputes occur, he serves as a dedicated advocate for his client’s positions. Todd is a “Go-To” lawyer because of his considerable knowledge of employment law matters and his thoughtful counsel to employers across Virginia.
Monday, June 6th, 2022
LYNCHBURG, Va. (June 1, 2022) – The Virginia law firm of Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that partner Andrew O. Gay has been selected as an Associate Fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America (CLSA).
The CLSA is an invitation-only international honorary association comprised of lawyers who specialize in construction law and related fields. Fellowship is limited and selective and is based on a proven record of excellence and accomplishment in construction law at both the trial and appellate levels, as well as superior ethical reputation.
Andrew Gay is a partner in Gentry Locke’s Lynchburg office and a member of the firm’s Construction Law group where he focuses on assisting clients with construction contract and construction dispute matters. He regularly works with his clients on contract negotiations, lien and bond claims, performance disputes, delay claims, change order disputes, and design and construction defects litigation.
Andrew Gay obtained his J.D. from Liberty University School of Law and his B.S. in Construction Management from Everglades University. He is licensed to practice law in both Florida and Virginia.
About Gentry Locke
With more than 70 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 gentrylocke.com.
Thursday, May 19th, 2022
The Virginia law firm of Gentry Locke is pleased to welcome Noah Sullivan as a partner in its Richmond office. Sullivan will work in the firm’s commercial litigation practice.
“Noah’s experience combines almost a decade of high-stakes commercial litigation at Gibson Dunn together with his service as Deputy Counsel and then Counsel to former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe. His experience expands our ability to offer unique skill and insight to navigate our clients’ most challenging litigation, regulatory, and legislative matters in our Richmond office,” said Gentry Locke Managing Partner Monica T. Monday.
Prior to joining Gentry Locke, Sullivan worked as a senior associate at the Washington, D.C. office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. He has experience at every stage of civil litigation, working on complex matters across a diverse set of legal issues in federal and state courts across the United States, as well as in arbitration. He has successfully litigated matters ranging from trademark, trade, and tax disputes to disputes arising under federal securities laws, the False Claims Act, federal and state employment and civil rights laws, and state-law commercial disputes.
Sullivan also previously served as Deputy Counsel and then Counsel to Governor Terence R. McAuliffe in Richmond, Virginia, where he served as the chief legal advisor to the Governor and Cabinet. Sullivan was instrumental in developing the legal framework and successfully defending Governor McAuliffe’s historic policy to restore voting rights to more than 170,000 ex-felons.
In addition, Sullivan was primarily responsible for reviewing all executive branch agency rulemakings in Virginia on behalf of the Governor, spanning numerous policy and legal topics conducted under the Virginia Administrative Process Act, as well as reviewing legislation passed by the General Assembly of Virginia.
“I am honored to join Gentry Locke,” Sullivan said. “For me, this is coming home to Virginia and an opportunity to join my litigation and Virginia government experience together to serve clients in the Richmond community and across the Commonwealth. I am thrilled to start this next chapter with the talented, dynamic professionals at Gentry Locke.”
Sullivan received his J.D. from Stanford Law School and his B.A. from University of Virginia.
About Gentry Locke
With 70 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 gentrylocke.com.
Friday, May 6th, 2022
ROANOKE, Va. (May 5, 2022) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that 11 of the firm’s attorneys were selected for recognition in the 2022 Virginia Super Lawyers® list and six were selected as Rising Stars. Attorneys were nominated by their peers and recognized for their outstanding professional achievement in the areas of appellate law, business/corporate law, business litigation, construction litigation, criminal defense, employment law and litigation, government relations, health care, intellectual property, land use and zoning, personal injury, and professional liability.
Further recognitions go to Monica Monday and Brett Marston. Monica Monday, Gentry Locke’s managing partner, is also on the Super Lawyers “Top 100,” “Top 10,” and “Top 50 Women” lists. She has been named in all three lists since 2019. Also included in this year’s Super Lawyers “Top 100” list is Brett Marston. He has received the “Top 100” distinction every year since 2013. Partner Thomas Bondurant has been recognized on the Super Lawyers list every year since 2013.
Gentry Locke’s 2022 Virginia Super Lawyers include:
Thomas J. Bondurant, Jr. (Criminal Defense: White Collar)
Matthew W. Broughton (Personal Injury General: Plaintiff)
Gregory D. Habeeb (Government Relations)
Guy M. Harbert, III (Personal Injury General: Defense)
Kevin Walker Holt (Business Litigation)
Paul G. Klockenbrink (Employment Litigation: Defense)
Brett Marston (Construction Litigation)
Monica T. Monday (Appellate
David Paxton (Employment & Labor)
Glenn W. Pulley (Business Litigation)
Scott Sexton (Business Litigation)
Six Gentry Locke attorneys were also selected Virginia Super Lawyers Rising Stars—attorneys who are 40 years old or younger, or in practice for 10 years or less.
Gentry Locke’s 2022 Virginia Super Lawyers Rising Stars include:
Andrew Bowman (Civil Litigation: Plaintiff)
Charles R. Calton (Personal Injury General: Plaintiff)
Christen C. Church (Health Care)
Christopher Kozlowski (Mergers & Acquisitions)
Jeffrey P. Miller (Civil Litigation: Defense)
Ashley W. Winsky (Civil Litigation: Defense)
Super Lawyers, which distinguishes the top 5 percent of attorneys in each state in more than 70 practice areas, recognizes those who have attained significant peer recognition and professional achievement.
About Gentry Locke
With more than 70 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 gentrylocke.com.
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2022
Gentry Locke had the pleasure of welcoming an exceptional Roanoke College pre-law student to the firm as an intern this Spring. Natalie Hidalgo-Lopez says she is currently “living her dream” as she finishes up her undergraduate degree and sets her sights on law school. Natalie comes to Roanoke College all the way from her home in Ecuador. A talented athlete, soccer brought her to the United States at 16 years old. She made the journey on her own, but soon found herself welcomed by a family in Martinsville. Natalie describes herself as incredibly blessed to have two families – one here in the US and one in Ecuador.
Her academic advisor, Dr. Todd Peppers, Roanoke’s Henry H & Trudye H. Fowler Professor in Public Affairs, commented that “Natalie is one of our top pre-law students, and, as her advisor, I wanted to find her an internship which would help prepare her for law school as well as give her a more sophisticated understanding of what lawyers do. I was thrilled when Gentry Locke offered her this unique opportunity.”
During her time with the firm, she had the opportunity to interact with lawyers in a variety of practice groups. Natalie described her experience as “incredible.”
“I had the opportunity to meet lawyers with different experiences some who had just graduated from law school and partners with many years of experience. I had the chance to witness fantastic lawyers in court. More importantly, I met friendly people willing to help and teach me. . . . I cannot express enough how welcoming and nice everyone was.”
Todd Leeson, the Chair of Gentry Locke’s employment group, served as Natalie’s main supervisor. Todd noted that “Natalie was a delight. She truly embraced the experience. She helped our lawyers prepare for trial, hearings, and client meetings. Her insights and questions were excellent. I look forward to seeing her shine.”
Wednesday, April 20th, 2022
The Virginia law firm of Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that partner Ashley W. Winsky has been selected to the “2022 Influential Women of Law” list by Virginia Lawyers Weekly.
This award honors outstanding women lawyers and judges who are making a difference in the profession, their communities and the Commonwealth. The honorees will be celebrated at an awards ceremony at the John Marshall Ballroom in Richmond on May 25th.
Winsky, a partner in Gentry Locke’s Richmond office, specializes in defending motor carriers against personal injury claims resulting from roadway accidents. She has over a decade of experience defending trucking companies in catastrophic injury, brain injury, spine injury, and wrongful death cases. Her trucking clients range from small, family-owned operations to some of the nation’s largest truckload carriers.
Additionally, Winsky serves as lead counsel for an amusement park and water park, coordinating and defending all third-party claims. She also assists a variety of businesses throughout Virginia in cases involving premises liability, breach of contract, defamation, intentional torts, and other business disputes.
A member of the American Trucking Association (ATA) and the Transportation Lawyers Association (TLA), Winsky has been recognized in Virginia Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” since 2013. She has been consistently recognized in the transportation arena by Chambers USA and maintains an AV Preeminent peer rating with Martindale-Hubbell.
About Gentry Locke
With more than 70 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.
Monday, April 18th, 2022
Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that partner Christen Church has been honored as one of the “Go To Lawyers” for business law by Virginia Lawyers Weekly. Now in its third year, the program recognizes leading lawyers in a particular field of law.
Nominees were selected using six criteria, including those who experience a record of success, a lawyer to whom other lawyers make referrals and someone who can think creatively, among other characteristics.
Christen has a transactional and advisory practice focusing on intellectual property, health care regulation and compliance, data privacy and security, mergers and acquisitions, and commercial financings. She has consistently been recognized as a “Virginia Rising Star” by Virginia Super Lawyers and listed as a “Legal Elite” in Intellectual Property and Health Law by Virginia Business magazine.
Monday, March 14th, 2022
ROANOKE, Va. (March 14, 2022) – The Virginia law firm of Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that Glenn Pulley, a partner in the firm’s Business Litigation group, has been selected as a member of the Virginia Lawyers Hall of Fame Class of 2022. The award from Virginia Lawyers Weekly recognizes Virginia’s most significant senior lawyers.
“Glenn is an outstanding litigator and problem-solver. He has handled a stunningly broad range of cases over his 40-plus year career, demonstrating his vast legal knowledge and skill.” said Gentry Locke Managing Partner Monica T. Monday. “Glenn has helped countless clients over his distinguished career and has earned a spot in the Hall of Fame.”
Membership in the Hall of Fame is reserved for Virginia lawyers who are 60 years of age and older. Inclusion is determined by career accomplishments, contributions to the development of the law in Virginia, to the bar, to the Commonwealth of Virginia, and efforts to improve the quality of justice in Virginia.
“During my life as a lawyer, I have worked with extremely competent and loyal colleagues and support staff as a team,” said Pulley. “As a litigator who wants to win as much as anyone, I have tried to learn to win and lose with dignity. I believe this was one of the major considerations when I was inducted as a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers in 2002. Admission to the Virginia Lawyer Hall of Fame in 2022 tells me that my service to the profession remains important to others,” he said.
Since his career began in 1976, Pulley has tried more than 150 civil jury trials for plaintiffs and defendants. He led the handling of a complex products liability case that settled for $8 million, making it the largest settlement on Virginia Lawyers Weekly‘s 2020 Million-Dollar Settlements List. Pulley has been recognized by his colleagues as a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and in the Virginia Law Foundation. He also served as Chairman of the Virginia Committee of the American College of Trial Lawyers in 2013 and 2014.
About Gentry Locke
With 70 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.
Saturday, February 5th, 2022
Gentry Locke has established a team of attorneys and professionals ready to assist you and your company as you navigate COVID-19
Banking Resources
- Financial Institutions and Business Lending: Creditors’ Rights
- U.S. SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Summary for Small Businesses and Nonprofits
Business Resources
CARES Act Resources
Construction and Development Resources
Criminal & Government Investigations Resources
Cybersecurity Resources
- Cybersecurity – Do Not Let Your Guard Down During Covid-19
Employment Resources
Governing Bodies and/or other Public Bodies Resources
- Virginia Set to Expand Electronic Meeting Authority to All Governmental Bodies
- Public meetings and hearings for local governments and other “public bodies” in Virginia
- Virginia Municipal League Coronavirus Resources
- An Emergency Uncodified Ordinance to Establish Methods to Assure Continuity in Fairfax County Government and Conduct of Board of Supervisors Meetings During the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Emergency
Government Resources
Gun Regulation Resources
- Circuit Court Judge Grants Temporary Injunction Opening Indoor Shooting Range in Lynchburg
Insurance Resources
- Insurance Coverage, Liability and Exclusion During COVID-19
OSHA/VOSH Resources
- OSHA Changes Course: Employers Must Now Determine if COVID-19 Infection is Job-Related
- OSHA Issues a List of Tips for Construction Industry Employers to Reduce the Risk of Coronavirus Exposure
- Concerns About Potential OSHA Citations for COVID-19 Illness
- Expect Changes in VOSH Investigations and Inspections as a Result of Coronavirus
- OSHA Confirms COVID-19 is a Recordable Illness Under OSHA’s Record Keeping Requirements
- OSHA/COVID-19 Update
Prevention & Health Safety Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I close my business?
If you’re wondering how your business should respond to the coronavirus, and specifically whether or not you should close, there are a number of factors to consider. Each business will have to make different decisions based on the type of operation, number of employees, access to capital, and ability to operate in a different environment. There is no one answer, but Gentry Locke can help you navigate these questions and make the best decision for you, your employees, and your customers.
What should I tell my employees?
If you have questions, so do your employees. They are wondering if it is safe to come to work, if they will still have a job when you re-open, or whether they will get paid on time. Exactly what you should tell your employees will depend a lot on your business, but Gentry Locke can assist you seeking to provide your employees with clear and helpful guidance.
Will insurance cover this?
Your insurance policy likely includes some provisions for natural disasters, but whether or not you have coverage for the effects of coronavirus will be very specific to your policy. Gentry Locke’s knowledgeable insurance attorneys will help you answer important questions about claims related to coronavirus.
Can I get sued if someone gets sick at my office?
Business owners are always aware of the liabilities that come with operating a business, but the coronavirus is a unique situation that creates unusual liability that you must consider. Please reach out to a Gentry Locke attorney to determine how you should mitigate the risks associated with the coronavirus.
Gentry Locke Team Leaders
Our team of attorneys are prepared to help you navigate coronavirus and its wide-ranging implications. Please contact one of the attorneys below or call us directly at 866-983-0866 to be directed to a team leader.
Crisis Communications – Greg Habeeb
Government & Regulatory Affairs – Greg Habeeb
General Commercial – Max Wiegard
Health Care / Physician Practices – Christen Church
Labor & Employment – David Paxton
Commercial Litigation – Kevin Holt
Force Majeure Issues – Herschel Keller
Banking and Creditor’s Rights – Bill Callahan
Insurance – Guy Harbert
Workers Compensation – Pete Irot
Plaintiff – Juliana Perry
Pro Bono – Kathy Wright
Construction – Spencer Wiegard
