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.
Thursday, March 7th, 2024
ROANOKE, Va. (March 7, 2024) – Gentry Locke Attorneys and Ferrum College are pleased to announce the 2024 Gentry Locke Lecture Series will be hosted at the College on Wednesday, April 10. The spring presentation titled “Demystifying AI: The Truth…a Terrible and Terrific Future” will focus on artificial intelligence, and its impact on industry, the future of jobs, and what higher education needs to consider as it prepares the students of today and tomorrow.
Guest speakers will have opportunities to engage with Ferrum College students throughout the day and the evening presentation. The evening presentation is open to the public and will feature several speakers. Kevin Holt and Jessiah Hulle will host the event on behalf of Gentry Locke Attorneys.
Guest Speakers:
- Joshua Fairfield, JD is the William Donald Bain Family Professor of Law and Director of Artificial Intelligence Legal Innovation Strategy at Washington and Lee School of Law. He is an internationally recognized law and technology scholar who specializes in digital property, electronic contract, big data privacy, and virtual communities. He has written on the law and regulation of e-commerce and online contracts and on the application of standard economic models to virtual environments. Professor Fairfield’s current research focuses on big data privacy models and the next generation of legal applications for cryptocurrencies. His articles on protecting consumer interests in an age of mass-market consumer contracting regularly appear in top law and law- and-technology journals, and policy pieces on consumer protection and technology have appeared in the New York Times, Forbes, and the Financial Times, among other outlets. Before entering the law, Professor Fairfield was a technology entrepreneur, serving as the Director of Research and Development for language-learning software company, Rosetta Stone. Professor Fairfield consults with U.S. government agencies, including the White House Office of Technology and the Homeland Security Privacy Office, on national security, privacy, and law enforcement within online communities and as well as on strategies for protecting children online.
- Katherine Martin, Ph.D is a Chief Engineer and AI Solutions Architect at with over 12 years of experience in applying advanced statistical and computer vision techniques to complex problems. She serves as the strategic and technical authority on the deployment of cutting-edge AI/ML capabilities to the dismounted military forces. Martin is a Chief Engineer and AI Solutions Architect at with over 12 years of experience in applying advanced statistical and computer vision techniques to complex problems. She serves as the strategic and technical authority on the deployment of cutting-edge AI/ML capabilities to the dismounted military forces. Martin works alongside warfighters, government civilians, and the broader industrial base to operationalize AI and provide U.S. warfighters with decision advantage and overmatch capabilities. The Department of Defense tackles some of the most difficult and exciting problems in the world as warfighters operate in extremely constrained environments that require specialized design considerations and tailoring. Martin develops these innovative solutions that bring AI to the battlefield to enhance warfighter effectiveness and survivability.
- Laura Hodges Sprouse, CPA is a partner and Chief Operations Officer of Brown Edwards CPAs with over twenty years of accounting experience. In her role as COO, she provides leadership to the firm’s administrative teams including information technology, Human Resources, finance, business development, and spearheads many of the firm’s special projects. In January 2024, she was announced as the incoming CEO and Partner at Brown Edwards. Sprouse received her B.S. in Accounting, Finance and Decision Support Systems from Ferrum College in 1997. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA).
- Kevin Holt is a partner at Gentry Locke whose diverse practice includes commercial, real estate, intellectual property and ERISA (employee benefits) litigation. Kevin represents companies and individuals in business and contract disputes, including complex financial and real estate matters. He also represents clients with cases involving intellectual property rights. He represents employers, insurance carriers and plan fiduciaries defending ERISA claims involving life, accident, and disability benefits. Kevin is a past President of the Roanoke Bar Association and currently serves on Bar Council, the governing body of the Virginia State Bar. Kevin grew up in Ferrum and his parents and stepfather were long-time members of the Ferrum College community.
- Jessiah Hulle is an associate at Gentry Locke. He practices with the firm’s Criminal and Government Investigations practice group where his primary focus is working with clients on federal grand jury investigations and white-collar criminal defense matters. He also assists the Employment, Civil Defense Litigation, and Commercial Litigation practice groups with critical and dispositive motions and appeals. Prior to joining the firm, Jessiah clerked for the Honorable Mary Grace O’Brien of the Court of Appeals of Virginia. Hulle will act as a moderator for the evening panel discussion.
For speaker information, event details and directions to Ferrum College, please visit: https://www.ferrum.edu/
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, March 4th, 2024
RICHMOND, Va. (March 4, 2024) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that G. Wythe Michael has joined the firm’s Richmond office as a partner in our Corporate practice.
“The hiring of Wythe Michael is another step forward for the growth of Gentry Locke’s commercial and transactional practice across Virginia. Wythe is a super-talented and experienced business attorney with an outstanding reputation in working with businesses of all types to successfully navigate their corporate law issues. We are pleased that he will bring his outstanding legal, leadership, and business skills to serve our clients in Virginia and beyond,” said Gentry Locke Managing Partner K. Brett Marston.
More specifically, Michael advises closely held companies on business law matters including mergers and acquisitions, commercial transactions, security offerings, commercial real estate, and business succession planning. He also advises new and existing businesses in connection with governing documents, shareholder agreements, operating agreements, employment agreements, restrictive covenant agreements, and general contract matters.
In addition, Michael regularly acts as outside “general counsel” assisting privately held companies close deals, evaluate, and manage risk, and pursue new opportunities. He frequently works with healthcare providers, manufacturing, construction, technology, real estate, dental, and veterinary businesses.
“Gentry Locke has seen extraordinary growth over the last few years. Our Richmond office now has 25 lawyers and we launched Gentry Locke Consulting – a full service public affairs and public advocacy subsidiary. In 2022, we opened our Norfolk office which now has 4 lawyers. We have expanded the scope and breadth of our services, and I can think of no better next step than to bring in Wythe Michael as a partner in our Richmond office. Wythe brings deep ties to Richmond and a wealth of commercial experiences to support our existing clients and grow our commercial presence in this market,” added Richmond-based partner Greg Habeeb.
Wythe earned his J.D. from the University of Richmond and his B.A. from the College of William and Mary. He has been recognized by Virginia Business Magazine as a “Legal Elite” in Business.
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, February 29th, 2024
ROANOKE, Va. (February 29, 2024) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that Monica T. Monday, Chair of the firm’s Executive Board and head of Gentry Locke’s Appeals and Critical Issues team, has been honored in the inaugural class of the 2024 Circle of Excellence by Virginia Lawyers Weekly.
The Circle of Excellence award is given to past Virginia Lawyers Weekly Influential Women of Law recipients who have sustained a great level of achievement and record of leadership. This inaugural class of Circle of Excellence honorees includes 5 women throughout Virginia who are inspiring and accomplished leaders, serve as mentors to others, and contribute significant time and effort to volunteerism and/or pro bono initiatives.
“Monica is the perfect attorney to be recognized with this new Circle of Excellence award. She has an unwavering commitment to leadership, extraordinary client service, and excellence in everything she does at work and in the community.” said K. Brett Marston, Managing Partner of Gentry Locke. “She exemplifies all that an attorney should be and what Gentry Locke aims to stand for.”
For three decades, Monica has advocated for her clients in Virginia’s state and federal appellate courts, handling a wide range of cases from commercial disputes to healthcare, property, personal injury, local government matters, and domestic relations. She is actively involved in the legal community, and has held various leadership roles within the Virginia Bar Association. Monica served as Managing Partner at Gentry Locke from 2013-2022 and currently leads the firm’s recruiting, diversity, and pro bono initiatives as the chair of the Executive Board and heads the Appeals and Critical Issues team. She is deeply involved in the community as well, including serving on the Board of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra and as a member of the Virginia Poverty Law Center Advisory Council.
The full list of 2024 Circle of Excellence 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, February 8th, 2024
ROANOKE, Va. (February 8, 2024) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce the election of the following individuals to serve on the firm’s Executive Board for 2024:
“We are excited to add Herschel Keller and Jon Puvak to our Executive Board leadership team this year. We have been blessed for many years with partners who are dedicated to the success of the firm, but more importantly to the success of our clients. Gentry Locke aims to be Virginia’s Leading Law Firm. By being engaged leaders within the firm, in our practice areas, for our clients, in the bar, and in our communities, we are achieving that goal each day,” said Managing Partner Brett Marston.
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, January 30th, 2024
RICHMOND, Va. (January 30, 2024) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that Jon R.L. Roellke has joined the firm’s Richmond office as a Civil Defense Litigation associate.
“Jon is an exceptional young attorney who had demonstrated a commitment to excellence, and we are pleased to welcome him to the firm,” said Gentry Locke Managing Partner Brett Marston.
Roellke has experience with appellate matters as well as civil litigation issues. Prior to joining Gentry Locke, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable Robert J. Humphreys in the Virginia Court of Appeals and also to the Honorable Edward Robbins, Jr. in the Chesterfield Circuit Court. In those roles, Roellke regularly drafted memoranda, opinions, and orders on civil matters, including workers’ compensation, personal injury, estates, civil rights, and complex domestic relations cases.
A graduate of the University of Richmond School of Law, Roellke was the Senior Notes and Comments Editor on the University of Richmond Law Review executive board. He also earned his B.A. from the University of Virginia. While attending law school, Roellke served as a law student intern for the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society as well as with the office of the Federal Public Defender in the Western District of Virginia.
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, January 9th, 2024
Mike Pace admired Atticus Finch. No doubt Mike aspired to live like Atticus Finch. To many, Mike Pace was Atticus Finch. And if you ever met Mike, you know that he enjoyed talking about Atticus and all that Atticus stood for in the legal world and in the real world. For those of us who had the pleasure of knowing Mike, in working with him in practice, and in watching him operate in the community and the bar, he may be as close to Atticus as we will ever know.
To describe the impact and the influence that Mike seamlessly and positively supplied to this firm, and the bar, and the community, would take volumes. To portray it succinctly, Mike was the one person who simultaneously never met a stranger or an impossible task, and somehow seemed to have 48 hours in a day to make it happen. With Mike’s passing at a way-too-early age, we can rest easier knowing that Mike squeezed at least twice as much into his professional career and his family commitment as any other person we know. And he did it all well, very well.
Mike’s contributions to the firm were immense. From day one, Mike was a natural leader, full of ideas, energy, confidence, and contagious friendliness. He quickly worked his way through the leadership ranks to become the firm’s second managing partner at the early age of 41, being tasked with filling the shoes of one of his mentors, Bill Rakes. Mike helped build on the strong base that Bill had begun in adding a commercial practice to the firm. Under Mike’s leadership, Gentry Locke grew in numbers, in stature, and in focus. No one spent more hours, even into the late-night/early-morning caring for his clients and for the firm that he called home.
Mike extended his leadership skills well beyond just the firm, exhibiting that same passion and commitment to bar groups, including being President of the Roanoke Bar Association and the Virginia Bar Association, and to the community, where he provided leadership as President of the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce and as President of the Roanoke Regional Partnership, among many other groups. While leading these bar groups, he helped form the Center for the Study of the Rule of Law which he planted at Roanoke College during the years when he became the school’s first general counsel, and helped to spread the recognition of the importance of the Rule of Law across the entire state, country, and other parts of the world. Mike was the epitome of commitment, and of getting done what he said he would do.
Like his mother, Mike was an educator at heart. Beyond his time at Roanoke College and with the Rule of Law program, Mike spent countless hours providing support, leadership, and creative ideas to his alma maters, Hampden Sydney College and Washington & Lee Law School, where he helped to establish the third-year externship program for students to gain real-life experience and was an adjunct professor. At Gentry Locke, he led the formation of an in-house education program, Gentry Locke University (GLU), that continues to help young attorneys learn more about the practical elements of legal practice.
Mike’s commitment did not stop there. There was never a minute that he was not bragging on his parents, his wife Nancy, or his two scholarly and athletic daughters. Returning for a late night at the office after leaving to watch a girl’s lacrosse game was just the way Mike was wired. He was proud of them, and all of their accomplishments.
We too are proud. Proud to have called Mike Pace one of our own, a member of the Gentry Locke team and family. Though he is no longer present with us, the indelible and positive marks he has made on us individually, on our families, on this firm, on our communities, and on his family will last eternally. Well done. Here’s to you Mike. Or shall we say …. Atticus!
Friday, January 5th, 2024
LYNCHBURG, Va. (January 5, 2024) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that partners Glenn W. Pulley, Herschel V. Keller, and Andrew O. Gay were selected for inclusion on Lynchburg Business magazine’s “2024 Top Lawyers of Greater Lynchburg” list. The ranking recognizes the “best of the best” in the region’s legal community.
Pulley was named for Business Law. Since Pulley’s career began in 1976, he has tried more than 150 civil jury trials for plaintiffs and defendants involving personal injury/property damage, product liability, commercial, construction, employment, estates, and eminent domain. Glenn’s trial experience has helped many clients in the courtroom, and they have often benefited from his advice on how to avoid the expense, inconvenience, and risk of litigation. He was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers in 2002 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, and has served as the leader of the Virginia Fellows.
Keller was named for Construction Law. He represents businesses, governmental entities, and institutions in Lynchburg and across the Commonwealth through his practice of corporate and business law, commercial construction law litigation, complex contract drafting, and government and regulatory affairs. Herschel heads up Gentry Locke’s Lynchburg office and services clients in our Richmond office. He is active in the community, including serving on the Virginia Amateur Sports Board of Directors, Lynchburg Business Alliance Legislative Committee, and the Associated General Contractors of Virginia Board of Directors.
Gay was named for Construction Law. He is the deputy chair of the firm’s Construction Industry practice group, where he assists clients with construction contracts and resolving construction disputes. He also has experience resolving lien and bond claims, performance disputes, licensing investigations, workplace safety violations, design defects, construction defects, and delay claims. In addition to his construction practice, Andrew also advises clients on an array of general business and real estate matters as well as residential and commercial landlord tenant issues.
About Gentry Locke
With 81 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.
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Wednesday, January 3rd, 2024
RICHMOND, Va. (January 3, 2024) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that attorneys Jeffrey P. Miller and Ryan J. Starks have been promoted to partnership, effective January 1, 2024.
“Ryan and Jeff are talented attorneys who have demonstrated hard work and commitment to our clients,” said Gentry Locke Managing Partner Brett Marston. “We congratulate them on this significant career accomplishment, and we are pleased to announce and celebrate their advancement within the firm.”
Miller is a member of the firm’s Civil Defense Litigation practice group, where he frequently defends trucking companies in catastrophic injury, brain injury, and wrongful death cases, in addition to his work defending retailers and amusement parks and litigating various commercial and intentional tort claims. Miller has extensive experience collaborating with experts in the fields of accident reconstruction, human factors, biodynamics, brain injury medicine, engineering, and other professionals with a wide range of specialties. He also assists the firm’s transportation clients as part of the rapid response team, helping them navigate the crucial minutes and hours immediately after an accident occurs. Miller earned his J.D. from the University of Richmond School of Law and received his B.S. from Regis University. He has served on the board of the Henrico County Bar Association and was elected as President for the 2023-2024 term.
Starks is a member of the firm’s Business Litigation practice group, where he assists clients with complex business and civil disputes in state and federal courts throughout Virginia. He has also practiced before the U.S. Government Accountability Office and the Court of Federal Claims. Starks represents businesses and individuals in lawsuits involving construction, contract, employment, government contracting, and real estate disputes. He earned his J.D. from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and received his B.A. from the State University of New York (SUNY) Albany. Starks is a member of the Virginia State Bar and the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys and serves on the CLE Committee of the Richmond Bar Association.
About Gentry Locke
With 81 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, January 2nd, 2024
LYNCHBURG, Va. (January 2, 2024) – The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that Robert E. Evans has joined the firm’s Lynchburg office as of counsel in the Plaintiff’s Practice Group.
“Bob is highly regarded throughout the Commonwealth and we are pleased to welcome him to our team and know that the high level of client service that he provides, and his wealth of experience will benefit our team and our clients,” said Gentry Locke Managing Partner Brett Marston.
Prior to joining Gentry Locke, Evans worked as a sole practitioner for more than 40 years, serving clients in Lynchburg and throughout Virginia. He focuses his practice on general civil litigation, workers compensation and personal injury matters. Evans has additional experience in real estate litigation and real estate, land use and zoning law.
Evans earned his J.D. from the University of Richmond School of Law and his undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University. He is a member of the Virginia State Bar and an active member of the Lynchburg Bar Association where he served as president.
About Gentry Locke
With 81 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.
