Tag Archives: Blue Ridge Legal

Gentry Locke Attorneys Commits to Matching up to $10,000 for Blue Ridge Legal Services End of Year Campaign

Contact: John Whitfield,

BRLS Executive Director

jwhitfield@brls.org

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

Gentry Locke Attorneys Commits to Matching up to $10,000 for Blue Ridge Legal Services End of Year Campaign

Roanoke, VA – [November 16, 2023] – Gentry Locke Attorneys, one of Virginia’s largest and most respected law firms, is demonstrating its continuing commitment to access to justice by generously agreeing to match donations up to $10,000 for the Blue Ridge Legal Services (BRLS) End of Year campaign. The partnership between Gentry Locke and BRLS exemplifies a shared mission to support low-income people in need of civil legal assistance.

Gentry Locke, with a rich history starting a century ago, has established itself as a prominent advocate for justice in the Roanoke Valley and across the Commonwealth. Known for its excellence in providing a wide range of legal services, the firm has a long-standing tradition of philanthropy, reflecting its dedication to making a positive impact within the community. More information about Gentry Locke can be found at https://www.gentrylocke.com/.

John Whitfield, Executive Director of Blue Ridge Legal Services, noted: “We are immensely grateful for the generous support from Gentry Locke. Their commitment to matching donations for our End of Year campaign is a testament to their deep commitment to equal access to justice. With their pledge, helping to boost the support of the legal community and the public, we can provide vital legal assistance to those in need, ensuring that vulnerable individuals and families can secure their rights and obtain justice.”

The funds raised during the End of Year campaign will support BRLS in its mission to provide free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals and families in the Blue Ridge region. The campaign will help BRLS continue its work in addressing critical legal issues, such as housing, domestic violence, consumer protection, eldercare, and more. Contributions will directly impact the lives of those who rely on BRLS for guidance and representation.

Monica T. Monday, Chair of Gentry Locke, noted that “BRLS serves a critical role in our community in helping to bridge the justice gap for low-income residents in the Shenandoah and Roanoke Valley. We are proud to partner with BRLS and to support their important work through this matching donation for their end-of-year campaign, so that high-quality legal representation is afforded to all.”

As BRLS embarks on this crucial End of Year campaign, the generous matching contribution from Gentry Locke underscores the importance of equal access to justice and reaffirms the power of community partnerships in creating lasting change.

To support the Blue Ridge Legal Services End of Year campaign and have your donation matched by Gentry Locke , please visit brls.org/donate and contribute today.

Blue Ridge Legal Services, Inc. is a non-profit charitable civil legal aid society providing free legal assistance in civil matters of critical importance to low-income residents of the Shenandoah and Roanoke valleys.

Charlie Phillips Recognized For Years Of Pro Bono Work

BRLS Attorney Wins Top Pro Bono Award from American Bar Association

ROANOKE, VA (August 15, 2023). Charles B. (Charlie) Phillips of Salem, Virginia, has received a 2023 Pro Bono Publico Award from the American Bar Association (ABA), the top honor given by the ABA in national recognition of pro bono volunteerism. He was recently presented the award at the 2023 ABA Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado, August 4, 2023. A video produced by the ABA for the presentation, featuring local judges and several of Mr. Phillips’ pro bono clients, can be viewed on the ABA Center for Pro Bono channel on YouTube, see https://youtu.be/w39GUq3h0ck.

Phillips was nominated for the award by John Whitfield, executive director of Blue Ridge Legal Services (BRLS), the legal aid society where Phillips donates his time helping legal aid clients.

Since retiring from his law practice in 2018 at the age of 80, Phillips immediately began volunteering around 30 hours a week in the Roanoke office of BRLS. Since then, he has closed more than 1,500 cases, including over 200 in litigation. His efforts have resulted in recovering more than $450,000 in benefits for his clients, according to the nomination by Whitfield.

Phillips is a former Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Salem and maintained a private practice for 50 years. He was born in Tazewell County, Virginia, attended Emory & Henry College on a football scholarship and attended the University of Richmond School of Law, graduating in 1963.

In addition to this national recognition, Phillips received the 2021 Lewis F. Powell Jr. Pro Bono Award from the Virginia State Bar. He was also the 2022 recipient of the Carl and Ruth Looney Humanitarian Award from Emory & Henry.

In the words of Robert Williams, an attorney with BRLS, “Charlie Phillips is the best of us.” Perhaps the most ringing endorsement for Phillips’s work, however, comes from a client who wrote, “Charlie Phillips saved my life. Were it not for his brilliant, tireless efforts, I would have become homeless and in all likelihood, died as a result. I will be grateful to him…forever. He is a noble gentleman.”

Attorney Highlight: Elizabeth Coltrane

Blue Ridge Legal Services Attorney — BRLS Attorney Elizabeth Coltrane

Elizabeth “Lizzy” Coltrane is a BRLS housing law attorney and Virginia native who has helped nearly 700 clients in her four years with BRLS. See what some of her clients said about her and learn a little more about her below in this month’s “attorney interview!”

“Mrs. Coltrane was the BEST! We saw her go well beyond what was expected and were very happy with the outcome. Thank you!”

“[Working with] Elizabeth Coltrane was the best experience you could ever have. She took my case and kept me informed daily and I never had one worry. She took care of it- she is the best!”

Question and Answer:

Why do you work in legal aid?

I work in legal aid because I believe that the legal system should protect all people, not just those who can afford an attorney.

What’s the most rewarding part about your job, and what’s the hardest?

The most rewarding parts of my job are helping people who have been treated unfairly, being a voice to the Court on matters it had not previously considered and assisting people who have historically had a lack of support in their lives.

The hardest part of my job is navigating the laws that often benefit landlords instead of tenants.

Is there a case that stands out in your mind as something that was particularly rewarding?

There was a Circuit Court case that was particularly rewarding because the tenant’s situation was very typical. Low-income tenants often get into unbalanced rental agreements where the landlords hold most of the power. The leases are often written in favor of the landlords and don’t provide much security to the tenants. Landlords can use their leases and their knowledge of the eviction process to scare tenants into not fighting for themselves. Tenants deserve and need our help because we can help balance everything out to make sure the tenants’ rights are being respected and protected.

In this case, the client had redeemed (paid all rent owed) but the landlord just felt like evicting her anyway and moved forward with the eviction despite the law stating he was no longer able to do that. We were able to get through the appeal process and have the eviction dismissed.

What do you wish people knew about legal aid?

I wish people knew that we are actually “real” attorneys. We do not charge our clients to represent them, but we do get paid. We try just as hard (if not harder) than an attorney in a more traditional firm.

What’s an interesting fact most people don’t know about you?

An interesting fact that most people don’t know about me is that I have run at least 7 half marathons.

Anything else we should know?

It’s cool to be kind.