Spencer Wiegard is a Partner with Gentry Locke Attorneys. He is the Chair of the firm’s Construction Law practice group and is the Deputy Chair of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Practice Group. Spencer focuses his practice in the areas of construction law, construction litigation, business litigation, occupational health and safety matters, government contracts, administrative law, and regulatory matters. He represents general contractors, subcontractors, trade contractors, suppliers, manufacturers, developers, and design professionals. Spencer is currently the Chair of the Construction Law and Public Contracts Section of the Virginia State Bar, and previously served multiple terms on the section’s Board of Governors.
Spencer is currently a member of both the Board of Directors and the Legislative Committee for the Associated General Contractors of Virginia (“AGCVA”). He serves on the Executive Committee for the Roanoke District of the AGCVA and served as the AGCVA Roanoke District President from 2017-2019. From 2010-2018, Spencer was recognized as a Virginia Rising Star in Construction Litigation by “Virginia Super Lawyers.” From 2019-2023, Spencer has been recognized by Virginia Business Magazine’s “Legal Elite” list in the area of Construction Law.
Spencer counsels and advises his clients concerning a range of legal issues, including contract drafting and negotiation, mechanic’s liens, surety bond claims, professional and occupational licensing issues, and OSHA issues and claims. Spencer’s construction litigation practice involves breach of contract disputes, payment disputes, claims, construction defect disputes, design defect disputes, mechanic’s lien enforcement actions, payment bond claims, OSHA enforcement actions, professional licensure, and regulatory matters.
Spencer’s occupational health and safety practice involves overseeing health and safety audits and gap analysis, reviewing health and safety programs, policies, and procedures, assisting with OSHA inspections and investigations, health and safety incident response, and representing clients in response to OSHA citations. Spencer’s clients include employers from the construction industry, manufacturing industry, and general industry.
Spencer also represents retailers and manufacturers of manufactured homes in litigation, alternative dispute resolution, licensing, and regulatory matters. Spencer serves as counsel to the Board of Directors for the Virginia Manufactured and Modular Housing Association.
- Years at the firm
- Rescue pets at home
- Adorable daughters
- Twin Brothers
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Are you a dog or cat person?
We are an “any animal can find a home here” kind of family. My wife is a veterinarian, so we have a constant stream of animals coming through our home. Currently, we have four dogs, one cat – all rescues - as well as an African fat-tailed gecko.
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What do you enjoy doing when you are away from work?
Anything outdoors – including triathlons, road biking, road running, trail running, hiking, and target shooting – and spending time with my wife, two daughters, and our pack of dogs.
Education
- College of William and Mary, Marshall-Wythe School of Law, J.D.
- University of Virginia, B.A.
Experience
Construction Law
- Represented owners, design professionals, general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in the preparation, negotiation, interpretation, and revision of contracts concerning public and private construction projects throughout Virginia, the mid-Atlantic, southeast, and northeast.
- Represented owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in payment disputes and other contractual disputes.
- Represented owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in alleged construction defect matters.
- Represented design professionals in alleged design defect matters.
- Represented owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in arbitration proceedings, mediation, and litigation in both state and federal courts.
- Prepared, reviewed, and revised contracts, subcontracts, and purchase orders for general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers.
- Represented road and bridge contractors in bid disputes, claims and disputes involving the Virginia Department of Transportation.
- Represented localities concerning claims and disputes arising out of road and utility construction projects.
- Represented general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in preparing, recording, perfecting, and enforcing mechanic’s lien claims.
- Represented owners, general contractors, and subcontractors in defending and/or bonding-off mechanic’s liens.
- Represented general contractors, subcontractors, and sureties in defending payment bond claims and mechanic’s lien release bond claims.
- Represented subcontractors and suppliers in asserting and litigating mechanic’s lien claims.
- Represented manufacturers and retailers of modular and manufactured homes in disputes with homeowners and investigations and enforcement actions by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (Board for Contractors) and the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (Manufactured Housing Board).
- Represented contractors, design professionals, and realtors in enforcement and licensing matters before the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.
- Reviewed and revised contracts for licensed Virginia contractors concerning compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Provided training for licensed contractors concerning compliance with Board for Contractors regulations.
Health and Safety Law
- Represented employers in the construction, manufacturing, and general industry fields during VOSH and OSHA investigations and inspections, and in response to citations concerning alleged violations of health or safety regulations, including matters involving injuries to multiple employees, amputations, and fatalities.
- Assisted employers with health and safety compliance audits and gap analysis.
- Assisted employers in preparation of health and safety policies and procedures.
- Assisted employers concerning firearms and weapons carry laws and in setting weapons and workplace violence policies.
Firearms Law
- Represented a Virginia firearm retailer in a Federal Lawsuit filed by the City of New York in the Eastern District of New York concerning alleged handgun trafficking.
- Representation of firearm retailers and distributors in products liability actions.
- Counseled and assisted major retailer in setting its firearms carry policies for all United States stores.
Affiliations
- Chair, Virginia State Bar’s Construction Law and Public Contracts Section (present)
- Vice Chair, Virginia State Bar’s Construction Law and Public Contracts Section (2023-2024)
- Secretary, Virginia State Bar’s Construction Law and Public Contracts Section (2022-2023)
- Treasurer, Virginia State Bar’s Construction Law and Public Contracts Section (2021-2022)
- Member, Board of Governors of the Virginia State Bar Construction and Public Contracts Law Section (2012-2018, 2019-2021)
- Statewide coordinator for Pro Bono Hotlines, The Virginia Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (2008-2015); Co-chair of Pro Bono Hotline for the Roanoke Valley (2006-2008)
- Member, Board of Directors, Associated General Contractors of Virginia (2017 – Present); Legislative Committee (Member, 2007-Present); Associate Member (2006-present)
- Member, Executive Committee, Associated General Contractors of Virginia, Roanoke District (2006-Present); District President (2017-2019); District Vice President (2015-2017)
- Associate Member, Transportation Construction Alliance
- Member, Board of Directors, Military Family Support Centers, Inc. (2006-2019)
- Member, Board of Directors, Southwest Virginia Ballet Company (2015-2023); President, (2021-2023)
- Member, Board of Directors, Roanoke Valley SPCA (2015-2017); Vice President (2017-2022)
- Secretary, Roanoke City Republican Committee (2008-2012)
- Member, William and Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review (2002-2004)
- Member, The Virginia Bar Association
- Member, Virginia State Bar
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, Roanoke Bar Association
Awards
- Named one of The Best Lawyers in America® in Construction Litigation Law (2025)
- Named a Virginia Super Lawyers Rising Star in the area of Construction Litigation (2010-2018)
- Named “Legal Elite” in field of Construction Law by Virginia Business Magazine (2019-2023)
Published Work
- Author, Do I need a License to Do That? The When and Why of Virginia Contractor and Trade Licensing, Virginia Lawyer, Volume 72/Number 4 (December 2023).
- Co-Author, Deal…or No Deal? Identifying and Addressing Gray Areas in Construction Contracting, The Construction Lawyer, Journal of the ABA Forum on the Construction Industry, Volume 33 No. 3 (Summer 2013).
- Co-Author, Key Points to Consider in Filing and Challenging a Mechanic’s Lien, Virginia Lawyer magazine, Volume 59 (October 2010).
- The Brownfields Act: Providing Relief for the Innocent or New Hurdles to Avoid CERCLA Liability, William and Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review, Vol. 28, Number 1, Fall 2003.
- Contributing Editor – Virginia Section – Tort Law Desk Reference- A Fifty State Compendium (2005 and 2006 Editions).
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