Monday, December 2nd, 2024
ROANOKE, Va. (December 2, 2024) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that 29 attorneys have been named to Virginia Business magazine’s 2024 Legal Elite list.
The list is determined by peer votes and is divided into 22 specialties. The Gentry Locke attorneys recognized in the 2024 Legal Elite list and the areas in which they are recognized include:
Virginia Business magazine polls attorneys each year, contacting more than 14,000 attorneys in 2024, asking them to select which of their peers are the top attorneys in each practice category. The full list of 2024 Legal Elite honorees 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.
Thursday, November 7th, 2024
ROANOKE, Va. (November 7, 2024) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce its inclusion in the 2025 edition of Best Law Firms®. The firm received 29 metropolitan rankings, including 17 Tier 1 rankings.
The firm’s full list of metropolitan rankings can be found below.
Metropolitan Tier 1 – Roanoke
- Appellate Practice
- Banking and Finance Law
- Commercial Litigation
- Construction Law
- Corporate Law
- Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
- Employment Law – Management
- Financial Services Regulation Law
- Labor Law – Management
- Litigation – Construction
- Litigation – Intellectual Property
- Litigation – Labor & Employment
- Litigation – Municipal
- Real Estate Law
- Tax Law
- Trusts & Estates Law
Metropolitan Tier 2 – Roanoke
- Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Bet-the-Company Litigation
- Employment Law – Individuals
- Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
- Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
- Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
Metropolitan Tier 2 – Richmond
- Land Use and Zoning Law
- Real Estate Law
Metropolitan Tier 2 – Norfolk
Metropolitan Tier 3 – Roanoke
- Insurance Law
- Litigation – Bankruptcy
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
The Best Law Firms rankings are based on an evaluation process that includes the collection of clients and professional reference evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys, industry leader interviews and review of additional highlights provided by law firms as part of the formal research submission process. Practice area rankings are produced both nationally and within 188 metropolitan areas across the United States, with the 15th edition of Best Law Firms covering 75 national practice areas and 127 practice areas on the metropolitan lists.
The full methodology is available on the Best Law Firms website.
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, November 6th, 2024
Roanoke, Va. (November 6, 2024) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that Matt Broughton has been named by Virginia Lawyers Weekly a 2024 Go To Lawyer for Negligence Law (Virginia Personal Injury Law).
Now in its 5th year, the Virginia Lawyers Weekly Go To Lawyers program recognizes top 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.
“Matt has over 39 years of experience and has been a driving force in shaping our Plaintiff group into one of the finest in the Commonwealth. His dedication to justice and unwavering commitment to his clients are reflected in his remarkable achievements.” said Gentry Locke Managing Partner Brett Marston.
Matt Broughton is a licensed tractor-trailer driver, holding a commercial driver’s license (CDL) class A and is an airline transport rated pilot. During his decades of experience, he has tried hundreds of complex cases in the areas of personal injury, trucking accidents, business disputes, worker’s compensation, and aviation law. Many of those cases involve millions of dollars.
Matt leads Gentry Locke’s Plaintiff/Personal Injury practice group and serves on Gentry Locke’s Executive Board.
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, October 23rd, 2024
RICHMOND, Va. (October 23, 2024) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that the firm has hired Conor O’Donnell as its first Land Use Planner for Renewable Energy and Real Estate.
“Having an in-house planner greatly enhances our land use, renewable energy, and real estate practices. Conor brings a familiarity with land use development and regulation, an understanding of urban design and development principles, and spatial analysis skills related to digital mapping using GIS software to this position and we look forward to seeing him assist in growing our land use practice,” said Managing Partner Brett Marston.
Conor will collaborate with the firm’s real estate attorneys to assist owners, developers, and investors with all facets of land use and zoning, development, and operation of residential, commercial, and large-scale mixed-use projects, as well as renewable energy projects.
Prior to joining the firm, Conor served as a Land Use Graduate Assistant for Gentry Locke while completing his Master’s degrees. Previously, he worked for the U.S. Government Accountability Office Washington D.C., as a Legislative Aide for a former House of Delegates Member, and as a Virginia Management Fellow at both the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Conor holds two Master’s Degrees from the University of Virginia in Public Policy and Urban and Environmental Planning. He also holds a Graduate Certificate in Real Estate Design and Development. Conor graduated from the College of William and Mary with his Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Environmental Studies.
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, September 3rd, 2024
Richmond, Va. (September 3, 2024) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that Erin M. Harrigan has been named to the Virginia Lawyers Weekly 2024 “Leaders in the Law” list and Ryan J. Starks has been named to the publication’s “Up & Coming Lawyers” Class of 2024. Honorees will be recognized at the Virginia Lawyers Weekly celebration on October 17 in downtown Richmond.
Now in its 19th year, the Virginia Lawyers Weekly Leaders in the Law awards recognize lawyers across the Commonwealth who are setting the standard for other Virginia lawyers. “Leaders” are changing the law, serving the community, changing practices, or improving Virginia’s justice system, among other accomplishments. The Up & Coming Lawyer program, now in its 9th year, recognizes lawyers across the Commonwealth who are making their mark within their first 10 years of practice.
“We are very proud of Erin and Ryan for these statewide recognitions, which stand as a testament to the exceptional work being done for Gentry Locke’s clients as well as their standing as esteemed practitioners and valued community leaders,” said Gentry Locke Managing Partner Brett Marston.
Erin Harrigan is a partner and leads Gentry Locke’s White Collar Defense, Investigations & Compliance practice group.
Erin guides clients through high stakes litigation, federal and state government investigations and enforcement actions, and has directed internal investigations for businesses confronting allegations of misconduct. Chambers USA recognized Erin from 2021-2024 as a leading attorney for White Collar Crime & Government Investigations in Virginia, one of the legal industry’s most prestigious rankings and a distinction that is awarded based on a commitment to the qualities most valued by a client.
Erin previously served as Assistant United States Attorney in the Western District of Virginia, based in Charlottesville, where she prosecuted and investigated public corruption, money laundering, regulatory offenses, human trafficking and fraud cases of local origin and involving multi-national corporations. As a former Virginia Assistant Attorney General, Erin is particularly well-suited to assist clients facing inquiries from state Attorneys General.
Ryan Starks is a partner and works in Gentry Locke’s commercial litigation practice group, where he assists clients with complex business and civil disputes in state and federal courts throughout Virginia. Ryan has also practiced before the U.S. Government Accountability Office and the Court of Federal Claims. Ryan has wide-ranging experience in courts extending from the Eastern Shore to Southwest Virginia, including in construction, contract, employment, government contracting, and real estate disputes. Ryan has worked with a broad range of large and small domestic and international clients to achieve successful outcomes throughout the Commonwealth.
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, August 30th, 2024
Roanoke, Va. (August 30, 2024) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that Monica T. Monday has been named to Virginia Business’ 2024 “Power 500” list.
The editorial team of Virginia Business Magazine has selected Gentry Locke’s Executive Committee Chair, Monica T. Monday, in the category of Law for its 5th Annual Virginia 500 Power List publication. This issue profiles the most influential executives across Virginia in 19 major sectors, ranging from real estate and manufacturing to higher education and federal contracting.
“The list of executives chosen for profiles in this publication is determined by position, career achievements, company revenue, the number of employees a leader oversees, the scope of his or her responsibilities, and their involvement and prominence within their industry and community,” explained Richard Foster, Virginia Business Editor.
The full list of attorneys recognized in the Virginia Business’ 500 Power list can be found here.
Monday heads the firm’s Appeals and Critical Issues practice. She represents her clients in Virginia’s state and federal appellate courts across a wide variety of cases, including commercial and business disputes, healthcare, property, personal injury, local government matters, domestic relations and more. In 2015, Monica was inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers — only the fifth Virginia attorney to be so honored. Monica is ranked (Band 1) in Chambers USA, Virginia, for Appellate and General Commercial Litigation. She has been described by Chambers USA as having “a commanding reputation as ‘one of the go-to practitioners’ for appellate work” (2018), as being “held in high esteem as a leading appellate lawyer” (2022), and as being “the dean of Virginia Supreme Court litigation” (2023). She has been recognized among Virginia’s Top 10 Lawyers, Virginia’s Top 50 Women Lawyers, and Virginia’s Top 100 Lawyers by the Thomson Reuters’ Virginia Super Lawyers, and on the Best Lawyers in America and Virginia Business magazine’s Legal Elite lists. She was a “Leaders in the Law” honoree and named a “Go To Lawyer for Appellate” by Virginia Lawyers Weekly.
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, 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.
