Thursday, August 15th, 2024
ROANOKE, Va. (August 15, 2024) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that 35 of the firm’s attorneys are included in the 2025 Best Lawyers® lists, including 28 attorneys recognized in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and seven attorneys recognized in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America.
Of the 35 attorneys recognized in The Best Lawyers in America, three attorneys were also recognized with a 2025 Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” award, which is given annually to only one lawyer per practice area in each region. The Gentry Locke attorneys recognized with this award are:
- Monica T. Monday was named the Best Lawyers 2025 Appellate Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Roanoke.
- W. David Paxton was named the Best Lawyers 2025 Employment Law – Individuals “Lawyer of the Year” in Roanoke.
- William R. Rakes was named the Best Lawyers 2025 Banking and Finance Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Roanoke.
The 35 Gentry Locke attorneys and the cities and areas of practice in which they were recognized in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America list are:
Roanoke, VA
- Thomas J. Bondurant, Jr. – Corporate Compliance Law, Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- Matthew W. Broughton – Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
- William E. Callahan, Jr. – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy
- Michael J. Finney – Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Labor and Employment, Qui Tam Law
- G. Franklin Flippin – Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, Financial Services Regulation Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- W. William Gust – Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Tax Law
- Gregory J. Haley – Commercial Litigation, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Government Relations Practice, Litigation – Land Use and Zoning, Litigation – Municipal
- Guy M. Harbert, III – Insurance Law
- Kevin Walker Holt – Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Intellectual Property
- Paul G. Klockenbrink – Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
- Todd A. Leeson – Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
- Powell M. (Nick) Leitch, III – Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
- K. Brett Marston – Construction Law, Litigation – Construction
- Monica T. Monday – Appellate Practice
- W. David Paxton – Employment Law – Individuals, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
- William R. Rakes – Antitrust Law, Appellate Practice, Banking and Finance Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law, Financial Services Regulation Law, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Mergers and Acquisitions
- J. Scott Sexton – Commercial Litigation
- Bruce C. Stockburger – Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
- Spencer M. Wiegard – Litigation – Construction
- Charles L. Williams – Environmental Law
- Clark H. Worthy – Real Estate Law
- Kathleen L. Wright – Litigation – Municipal
Richmond, VA
Lynchburg, VA
Norfolk, VA
The seven Gentry Locke attorneys and the areas of practice and which they were recognized in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America are:
Roanoke, VA
Richmond, VA
Best Lawyers lists are compiled based on an exhaustive peer-review evaluation. Attorneys are nominated by their peers and recognized for their outstanding professional achievements across numerous practice areas. For the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, more than 15 million votes were analyzed, resulting in more than 79,000 leading lawyers recognized in the new edition and for the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America, more than 3.2 million votes were analyzed, resulting in more than 27,000 lawyers recognized in the new edition. Lawyers are not allowed to pay a fee to be recognized by Best Lawyers.
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.
Tuesday, July 9th, 2024
ROANOKE, Va. (July 9, 2024) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that Nicholas A. Beck has joined the firm’s Roanoke office as an associate.
“Nicholas’ contributions to our Plaintiff team will enhance our commitment to delivering outstanding results for our clients,” said Gentry Locke Managing Partner Brett Marston.
Beck is joining the firm’s Plaintiff group where he will focus his practice on medical malpractice, personal injury, and wrongful death matters. Prior to joining the firm as an attorney, Nicholas spent two summers working as a summer associate with Gentry Locke. He also served as a Judicial Intern for the 23rd Judicial Circuit Court of Virginia and as an intern in the Virginia Office of the Attorney General.
Beck earned his J.D. cum laude from the University of Richmond School of Law where he served as the President and Oral Arguments Chair of the University of Richmond’s Moot Court Board and as the Vice President for The Federalist Society’s Student Chapter at Richmond Law.
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.
Monday, June 17th, 2024
ROANOKE, Va. (June 17, 2024) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that Jake L. Bryant has joined the firm’s Roanoke office as an associate.
“We are pleased to welcome Jake to the firm and are confident that he will provide valuable support to our Corporate practice in continuing to provide exceptional service to our clients,” said Gentry Locke Managing Partner Brett Marston.
Bryant is joining the firm’s General Commercial group where he will focus his practice on intellectual property and business law. He assists clients with various commercial matters, intellectual property, trademark and copyright registrations, IP and software licensing, artificial intelligence, data privacy, mergers & acquisitions, and has further experience with federal litigation related to intellectual property and website-oriented ADA claims. Prior to joining Gentry Locke, Bryant was Of Counsel at a boutique intellectual property law firm.
Bryant earned his J.D. from Liberty University School of Law where he was the Notes & Comments Editor of the Liberty University Law Review, Vice President of the Liberty Law Intellectual Property Clinic, Executive Chair of the Business & Transactional Law Society, and was a national finalist and best brief award winner in the International Trademark Association’s 2023 Saul Lefkowitz Moot Court Tournament. He received his LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law from George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School, during which he worked as a research assistant with the Center for Intellectual Property x Innovation Policy near Washington, D.C.
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.
Tuesday, June 11th, 2024
NORFOLK, Va. (June 11, 2024) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that Christopher D. Lagow has joined the firm’s Norfolk office as a partner in the firm’s Corporate practice. He is the former Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary to PRA Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: PRAA), and has extensive global experience in the financial services industry in the areas of complex litigation, regulatory compliance, corporate governance and business transactions.
“Chris is a seasoned business leader with a reputation for developing and maintaining professionals to deliver quality legal support across a highly regulated, international organization. We are pleased he will bring his outstanding leadership and business skills to serve our clients in Virginia and around the country,” said Gentry Locke Managing Partner Brett Marston.
The majority of Lagow’s career has been spent leading PRA’s global legal department, including teams handling litigation, regulatory compliance, privacy and corporate transactions. As a member of PRA’s Senior Leadership Team, he also was instrumental in helping to drive a number of initiatives related to investments, risk, strategy, communications and government affairs.
“Gentry Locke is well known for exceptional client service and for its lawyers’ capabilities in handling complex, high-stakes legal matters,” said partner Chris Lagow. “I am excited to be joining the firm and look forward to collaborating with the talented people at Gentry Locke to help businesses compete, thrive, evolve, and achieve greater success and profitability.”
Lagow received his J.D. from the Roger Williams School of Law and his B.A. from James Madison University. He is licensed in Virginia and New York.
Gentry Locke announced the opening of its Norfolk office in March 2023, marking the firm’s fourth office in the Commonwealth and identifying Hampton Roads as an area for development.
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.
Friday, June 7th, 2024
ROANOKE, Va. (June 7, 2024) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke has been recognized as a leading Virginia firm for general commercial, white-collar crime, construction, and employment law by Chambers USA 2024. In its 2024 prestigious ranking of law firms and attorneys, Chambers USA ranked four Gentry Locke practices and four attorneys.
The firm’s Criminal & Government Investigations practice is one of only two in Virginia ranked by Chambers USA in Band 1, making specific mention of Partners Thomas J. Bondurant, Jr. (Band 1) and Erin M. Harrigan (Band 2), both ranked four years in a row.
Commentators describe Bondurant as “an outstanding white-collar practitioner. His extensive experience as a former federal prosecutor makes him an invaluable asset to the client as well as co-counsel when contemplating strategy and how the government is likely to proceed.” And others note that Harrigan “is phenomenal.”
Gentry Locke Chairperson Monica Monday was recognized in the top tier (Band 1) in the areas of Litigation: Appellate and Litigation: General Commercial, ranked nine years in a row. Commentators describe Monday as “a true leader in the Virginia Bar and is a trusted resource. She is the dean of appellate lawyers in Virginia.”
Gentry Locke Managing Partner Brett Marston was recognized in Band 4 in the area of Construction for the second year. Commentators describe Marston as a “great lawyer who gets good results for clients.”
Gentry Locke’s General Commercial Litigation team is ranked Band 3 for the thirteenth year as well as the firm’s Labor & Employment practice for the fourth year. The Construction team is newly ranked in Band 4.
Chambers USA ranks the leading firms and lawyers in a variety of practice areas. Its rankings are based on a rigorous and thorough process that includes peer and client research. The Chambers rankings are used by companies and firms throughout the world.
Chambers ranks individual lawyers in their practice area based on their legal knowledge and experience, ability, effectiveness, and client service. Law firms and their departments are ranked based on their technical legal ability, expertise, and experience specific to the practice area and jurisdiction, client service, the depth of the team, commercial vision and business understanding, diligence and value for the money.
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.
Tuesday, June 4th, 2024
ROANOKE, Va. (June 3, 2024) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that it has been named the 8th largest law firm in Virginia among the 2024 “Virginia’s Largest Law Firms” list, published by Virginia Lawyers Weekly. Gentry Locke currently has 86 lawyers who are licensed to practice in Virginia across 4 offices in Roanoke, Lynchburg, Richmond, and Norfolk.
The annual survey of “Virginia’s Largest Law Firms” is based on the number of Virginia-licensed lawyers practicing from an office located within the Commonwealth. The list recognizes 88 law firms across Virginia, and you can find the full list available here.
Gentry Locke is committed to being Virginia’s leading law firm. In 2023, they expanded their physical presence by opening their fourth office in Norfolk, Virginia, where there are now five lawyers. The firm’s Richmond office has seen continued growth since its start in 2018, now up to 23 attorneys.
Gentry Locke was recognized by Virginia Lawyers Weekly in its inaugural “Law Firms on the Move” list, recognizing the most innovative firms in Virginia. Gentry Locke was also named among the 2023 “Best Places to Work: Law Firms” national list, published by the Business of Law Digest in conjunction with Best Companies Group. Gentry Locke is also named to Vault’s Top 150 under 150 List.
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.
Wednesday, May 1st, 2024
ROANOKE, Va. (May 1, 2024) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that it has been awarded “Best Law Firm – Platinum” in The Roanoker magazine’s 2024 “Best of Roanoke” reader poll. The platinum award is the highest honor bestowed in a category.
The Roanoker’s “Best of Roanoke” poll tabulates reader votes in the designated categories to determine a silver, gold and platinum winner. The 2024 “Best of” issue, which marks the 38th annual poll, published on May 1, 2024. The full list can be found here.
The Roanoker is the longest continuously published city magazine in Virginia. It is issued by LeisureMedia360, an award-winning publisher of state, regional, and local travel guides; city and regional magazines; and quality-of-life publications.
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.
Thursday, April 25th, 2024
ROANOKE, Va. (April 25, 2024) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that 12 of the firm’s attorneys have been named to the 2024 Virginia Super Lawyers® list and six attorneys have been named to the 2024 Virginia Rising Stars list.
Additionally, for the sixth consecutive year, Monica Monday, Head of Gentry Locke’s Appeals & Critical Issues practice, has been named to all three of the publication’s “Top Lists,” including the “Top 100 in Virginia,” the “Top 50 Women in Virginia,” and she is ranked number three on the “Top 10 in Virginia.” Gentry Locke’s Managing Partner Brett Marston has also been named to the “Top 100 in Virginia” list for the 11th consecutive year.
The 12 Gentry Locke attorneys included in the 2024 edition of Virginia Super Lawyers are:
The six Gentry Locke attorneys selected to the 2024 edition of Virginia Rising Stars are:
Only the top 5% of lawyers in Virginia are named to the Virginia Super Lawyers list. No more than 2.5% of lawyers in these states are selected to the Virginia Rising Stars list and must be 40 years old or younger or have been in practice for 10 or fewer years. Published by Thomson Reuters, Super Lawyers determines its rankings through independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations. The full methodology is available here.
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.
Friday, March 22nd, 2024
| RICHMOND, VA – Governor Glenn Youngkin announced today the release of the Virginia Permit Transparency (VPT) website to bring increased transparency and efficiency to the Commonwealth’s permitting processes.
“Our administration is committed to increasing transparency in the permitting process. The Virginia Permit Transparency website allows Virginia to continue to lead the country by bringing greater visibility to the regulatory and permitting processes,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “Virginia is demonstrating how a transparent permitting process can continue to attract top-quality business and job opportunities.”
VPT provides the public a centralized platform to track the daily status and timeline of critical steps for Commonwealth of Virginia’s permits. Users can search permit applications or filter results by fields such as agency, application number, locality, and more. VPT can be accessed at Permits.Virginia.Gov.
Today, the permits of three agencies are available on the website: Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Virginia Energy (ENERGY), and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC). Additional agencies will be added in the coming months. The program was first launched as a pilot program last year at DEQ and has was several awards including the “2023 State Program Innovation Award” from the Environmental Council of the States
“The Commonwealth of Virginia continues to drive innovation in transparency and accountability for government. VPT is another example of Virginia setting the standard for the rest of the country,” said Director of the Office of Regulatory Management Andrew Wheeler, whose office is leading the VPT development and expansion. |
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Monday, March 18th, 2024
ROANOKE, Va. (March 18, 2024) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that the firm’s managing partner K. Brett Marston has been named the next President-Elect of the Virginia State Bar (VSB). He will be elected as the 2024-2025 President-Elect of the VSB at the 2024 VSB Annual Meeting in late May. His term as President-Elect will begin July 1.
“We are proud of the dedication Brett has shown in serving the legal profession and upholding the highest standards of professionalism, and know that his leadership will be a benefit to the Virginia State Bar,” said Gentry Locke Chair of the Executive Board Monica Taylor Monday.
Brett has been involved in bar leadership since he began working with Gentry Locke in 1994. Initially, he served on the VSB Young Lawyers Conference Board of Governors (1997-2001), and was named the VSB R. Edwin Burnette Jr. Young Lawyer of the Year in 2004. He served on the Roanoke Bar Association Board and as the association’s President in 2006-2007. He served on the VSB Construction and Public Contracts Section Board of Governors from 2003-2014 and as its Chair in 2012-2013. He has also served on the VSB Council representing the 23rd Judicial Circuit (2016-2022), on the VSB Executive Committee (2021-2022), and the VSB Budget and Finance Committee (2020-2022). He currently serves on the VSB Professionalism Committee, and the Standing Committee for Legal Ethics.
Brett currently serves as Managing Partner of Gentry Locke, and maintains a thriving Construction Law practice with experience in construction contract negotiations and preparation and handling significant construction disputes in federal and state courts, and alternative dispute resolution. He also works as a mediator and arbitrator for construction-related disputes.
Brett would become the firm’s second VSB President following William R. Rakes who served in that role in 1991-92. “I am very pleased that Brett will be assuming the position of President-Elect of the Virginia State Bar. He will do an excellent job. This honor will be significant to him, both professionally and personally, and we are very proud of him,” said Bill Rakes.
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.
