Kathy Wright joined Gentry Locke in 2002. After several years with the Insurance Defense practice group, she began work in Commercial Litigation with a focus on the areas of local government law (including zoning, subdivision and taxation). Kathy has also enjoyed working on mineral rights cases, estate and other litigation.
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What is your favorite part of litigation?
I love reviewing the facts of a new case and getting a feel for the human relationships involved.
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Did you ever consider a different career path?
I seriously considered teaching high school math.
Education
- Mercer University, Walter F. George School of Law, J.D. cum laude
- Virginia Commonwealth University, M.Ed.
- James Madison University, B.S.
Experience
- Litigation relating to water impoundment structures (dams)
- Local government litigation regarding local taxes, zoning and subdivision, including vested rights issues
- Advice and direction on non-litigation local government legal issues
- Litigation regarding estates and fiduciary duties
- Litigation regarding business contracts and closely-held business disputes
- Case mediations and settlements
Affiliations
- Board Member, Virginia Poverty Law Center (2017-Present); Board President (2019-2021)
- Board Vice President, Blue Ridge Legal Services (2022-Present); Board Member (2007-Present)
- Bar Association Memberships: Virginia Bar Association; Roanoke Bar Association, American Bar Association
- Member, Virginia Women Attorneys Association (2009-Present)
Awards
- Named one of The Best Lawyers in America® in Municipal Litigation (2011-2026)
- Recognized as one of the Influential Women of Law by Virginia Lawyer’s Weekly (2020)
- Designated one of the “Legal Elite” by Virginia Business magazine for Legal Services Pro Bono (2019-2020)
- Named a Virginia Super Lawyers Rising Star in Business Litigation (2012)
Published Work
- Co-author, Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Modifying Local Government Contracts Without Violating the VPPA – A Cautionary Tale, Journal of Local Government Law (a Virginia State Bar publication, Vol. XXI No. 1, Summer 2010).
- Assignments and Other Hazards of the Litigation Breakfast: Document Production from Testifying Experts in Virginia Circuit Courts, Litigation News (a publication of VSB Litigation Section, Vol. XIII, No. 5, Spring 2007).
- Friends and Foes in the Jury Box: Walls v. Kim and the Mission to Stop Improper Juror Rehabilitation, Mercer Law Rev. (Vol. 53, No. 2, Winter 2002).
Case Studies
The results of client matters depend on a variety of factors unique to each matter. Past successes do not predict or guarantee future successes.- Jan 19, 2018 — Partial Summary Judgment thwarts request for $1.4M
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Partial Summary Judgment thwarts request for $1.4M The results of client matters depend on a variety of factors unique to each matter. Past successes do not predict or guarantee future successes.Case Studies
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