Carlos Lemont Hopkins

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Carlos Lemont Hopkins: Attorney with Gentry Locke Attorneys
Attorney Awards
  • Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating
About Attorney Awards

Biography

Carlos Hopkins is a partner in both Gentry Locke’s White Collar Defense, Investigations & Compliance and Government & Regulatory Affairs practice groups. Carlos is also a Partner for Gentry Locke Consulting. Carlos previously served as Virginia’s Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs where he was the state’s top official for coordinating resources to support Virginia’s veteran community. Carlos was also appointed by former Governor Terence R. McAuliffe in 2014 to serve on the Governor’s Cabinet as Counsel to the Governor. At Gentry Locke, Carlos combines his criminal and civil litigation experience and Virginia-government experience to help clients navigate their most significant litigation, regulatory, and government-facing challenges.

A quick handshake

•I see that you are an avid golfer. What is your favorite golf course that you have played?

I love Ballybunion Golf Club in Ireland. It overlooks the water on the west coast of Ireland with great scenic views.

•You are a giant Pittsburgh Steelers fan. Do you attend a lot of games?

I bleed black and gold. Not only are the Steelers colors black and gold, but my fraternity colors are also black and gold. I try to go to at least one game a year. It's funny, I have only been to one home game in Pittsburgh. It gets cold in Pittsburgh and I don't really like the cold. I would rather go to an away game someplace warmer like Miami.

•Tell us more about your scuba diving adventures.

I picked up scuba diving while I was deployed in Cuba. I've had the chance to scuba dive in some great places like Puerto Rico, Belize, the Turks and Caicos Islands and back in the states in North Carolina. There are some great wrecks off the North Carolina coast.

Experience

•Appointed Virginia’s Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs by Governors Terence R. McAuliffe and Ralph S. Northam (2017-2022)
•Appointed Counsel to the Governor on the Virginia Governor’s Cabinet as the Governor’s primary legal advisor (2014-2017)
•Served on the personal staff of the Commanding General (CG) of the 29th Infantry Division as Chief Legal Officer in the Virginia Army National Guard
•Mentored second and third year law students participating in the Criminal Law Placement Externship Program at the University of Richmond, TC Williams School of Law (2019-2021)
•Served as Deputy City Attorney and supervised the Special Litigation and Public Safety Division in the Richmond City Attorney’s Office (2013-2014)
•Owned and operated a boutique law firm representing individuals charged with various classes of felonies and misdemeanors in state and federal court (2011-2013)
•Played an integral role in developing policies and procedures to manage Virginia’s public defender system as the agency’s Director of Training

Awards

•Designated one of the “Legal Elite” in Administrative/Government/Legislative law by Virginia Business magazine (2023-2025)

Published Work

•Author, Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda: How Virginia’s Everchanging Politics Creates “Missed) Opportunities for Major Policy Decisions, Richmond Public Interest Law Review, 2023

Library

•26 Gentry Locke Attorneys Named to 2025 Virginia Business Legal Elite List
News
Dec 2025
•Gentry Locke Partner Carlos L. Hopkins Appointed to Governor-Elect Abigail Spanberger’s and Attorney General-Elect Jay Jones’ Transition Teams
News
Nov 2025
•Gentry Locke’s Carlos L. Hopkins Inducted into Virginia Law Foundation Fellows Class of 2025
News
Jan 2025
•29 Gentry Locke Attorneys Named to 2024 Virginia Business Legal Elite List
News
Dec 2024
•23 Gentry Locke Attorneys Named to 2023 Virginia Business Legal Elite List
News
Nov 2023
•Update on Key HR Issues for Business Seminar
Events
Aug 2023
•Three Former In-House Counsel Join Gentry Locke as Partners
Articles
Dec 2022
•Former Virginia Cabinet Secretary Carlos Hopkins Joins Gentry Locke
News
Sep 2022
•2023 Gentry Locke Seminars
Events
May 2022

See more ›

Areas of Practice (12)

  • Business Litigation
  • White Collar Defense, Investigations & Compliance
  • Government and Regulatory Affairs
  • Internal Investigations
  • Municipal & Local Government
  • Employment & Labor
  • Business Immigration
  • Personal Injury
  • Civil Defense Litigation
  • State Attorneys General Practice
  • Legislative and Executive Government Relations
  • Breach of Contract

Education & Credentials

Mailing Address:
Richmond, VA 23219
University Attended:
The Citadel, B.A., Political Science, Law and Criminal Justice; Virginia Commonwealth University, Executive M.B.A.
Law School Attended:
University of Richmond School of Law, J.D.
Year of First Admission:
1996
Admission:
Commonwealth of Virginia; The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals; The United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims; The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia; The United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia; Virginia
Memberships:

Affiliations

•fellow, Virginia Law Foundation (2025)
•Member, Virginia State Bar
•Member, The National Black Lawyers Top 100
•Board of Directors, Richmond Ambulance Authority
•Board of Directors, Virginia Voice
•Board of Directors, Richmond Public Schools Education Foundation
•Richmond Steering Committee for Just the Beginning (JTB) Program
•Life Member, The Citadel Alumni Association
•Member, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
•Chairman, Virginia Military Advisory Council (2017-2022)
•Member, Virginia Code Commission (2014-2017)
•Board of Directors, Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (2010-2013)

Military:
U.S. Army Reserve., 1990-1997; Captain, Virginia Army National Guard, 1997-2001
Languages:
Spanish
Birth Information:
Columbia, South Carolina, February 27, 1971
ISLN:
910305363

Peer Reviews

5.0/5.0 (12 reviews)
Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent Rating Badge

  • Legal Knowledge

    5.0/5.0

  • Analytical Capability

    5.0/5.0

  • Judgment

    5.0/5.0

  • Communication

    5.0/5.0

  • Legal Experience

    4.9/5.0

  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Consultant on 11/14/22 in Government

    Carlos has a wide range of legal and government relations experience and knowledge and provides a broad perspective, considering factors that others may not. From criminal to civil law, he is well versed in the law. but is also client-centered, trust... Read more

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Attorney on 11/02/22 in Litigation

    Strong advocate for his clients.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Attorney on 10/25/22 in Criminal Law

    Mr. Hopkins is an excellent lawyer in many different fields.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Attorney on 10/24/22 in Government

    Carlos is an extremely knowledgeable and collaborative resource. He graciously provides colleagues with guidance or assistance even when outside of his direct obligations. Carlos is extremely ethical, highly engaged and a wonderful communicator. Ca... Read more

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Attorney on 10/12/22 in Criminal Law

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Attorney on 10/10/22 in Criminal Law

    Carlos is a great lawyer who is deserving of the highest rating

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Attorney on 09/29/22 in Criminal Law

    Carlos is a leader, a very capable litigator with many years of experience. I worked with him daily when we were prosecutors and was always impressed with his abilities.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Attorney on 09/29/22 in Government

    Very deep ties in government and a bridge builder. Experience from private practice and as Conmonwealths Attorney.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Attorney on 09/15/22 in Criminal Law

    Mr. Hopkins is one of the most honorable, professional individuals that I have ever had the pleasure to work with and know.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Attorney on 09/15/22 in Business Litigation

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Peer reviews submitted prior to 2008 are not displayed.

Client Reviews Write a Review

Location

Contact Carlos Lemont Hopkins

Contact Information:

804-786-3985  Fax

www.gentrylocke.com/hopkins

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