Charles L. Williams

Charlie Williams joined Gentry Locke in 1970 and as a senior partner he heads the firm’s Environmental Law practice. His work includes advising corporate and municipal clients in the areas of environmental compliance, including enforcement and environmental tort litigation. He has extensive experience in contaminated land renewal and the management of environmental aspects of mergers and acquisitions. Charlie has consistently been recognized among the Best Lawyers in America for Environmental Law since 2006.

A quick handshake

•If you had chosen a different career, what would you be doing today?

I was originally on the pre-med path but decided to pursue a law degree after being drafted into the Army. Now, I think archeology would be fascinating. I’ve been on a few digs.

•What do you like to do when you leave the office?

I go to work...again. We have a small farm and grow a lot of our food. It keeps us busy!

•What is the most important step in your morning routine that you try to never skip?

Every morning, I make breakfast for my wife and me. She still works and it’s a simple thing that I can do to make the day easier.

•What life lesson do you think we all should follow?

Be kind.

Experience

•Representation of corporations and individual clients in environmental litigation and administrative proceedings
•Representation of corporate and individual clients in environmental compliance and permitting matters
•Representation of corporate, banking, and individual clients in contaminated site transactions
•Advising corporate, banking, individual, and municipal clients in areas of Brownfield Redevelopment and adaptive land reuse
•Defense of environmental criminal prosecutions and enforcement actions
•Representation of solar developers

Awards

•LEED Accredited Professional (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for New Construction (2009)
•Named one of the Best Lawyers in America for Environmental Law (2006-2026) and Environmental Litigation (2011-2014)
•Designated one of the “Legal Elite” by Virginia Business magazine in the Environmental/Land Use field (2003-2004, 2015-2017) and Legislative/Regulatory/Administrative (2007, 2010 and 2011)
•Named a Top Rated Lawyer for Environmental law by American Lawyer Media (2013)
•Recipient, Martindale-Hubbell Client Distinction Award (2012)
•Named a “Legal Eagle” for Environmental Law and Litigation - Environmental by Virginia Living magazine (2012)
•Elected a Top Attorney: Land Use/Environment by Roanoke-area attorneys surveyed by The Roanoker magazine (2009, 2012)
•Inducted to the Virginia Lawyers Weekly “Hall of Fame” - Class of 2021

Library

•31 Gentry Locke Attorneys Recognized in Best Lawyers 2026 Lists
News
Aug 2025
•35 Gentry Locke Attorneys Recognized in Best Lawyers 2025 Lists
News
Aug 2024
•30 Gentry Locke Attorneys Recognized in Best Lawyers 2024 Lists
News
Aug 2023
•22 Gentry Locke Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2021
News
Aug 2020
•21 Gentry Locke Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America
News
Aug 2019
•20 Gentry Locke Attorneys Named to 2019 'Best Lawyers in America '
News
Aug 2018
•CLE Panel on Coal Ash Issues
Events
Apr 2018
•Gentry Locke attorneys again recognized as 2017 ‘Legal Elite’
News
Dec 2017
•Environmental Regulators Examining New Threats
Articles
Oct 2017
•21 Gentry Locke Attorneys Named to 2018 Best Lawyers in America
News
Aug 2017
•Fifteen Gentry Locke Attorneys Recognized as 2016 “Legal Elite”
News
Dec 2016
•Twenty-Two Gentry Locke Attorneys Named to 'The Best Lawyers in America'
News
Oct 2016
•Want to Build a Dam? Stop, Look, Ask, and Listen
Articles
Mar 2016
•Brownfields Initiatives: Challenges and Successes
Events
Mar 2016
•Ten Gentry Locke Attorneys are 2015 'Legal Elite' by Virginia Business Magazine
News
Dec 2015
•23 Gentry Locke Attorneys Named to 2016 “Best Lawyers in America”
News
Aug 2015
•Environment Partner Charlie Williams Hired by City of Danville for Coal Ash Spill Negotiations
News
May 2014
•Using Voluntary Remediation Program (VRP) as a Real Estate Tool
Events
Mar 2014
•Twenty-two Attorneys named to 2014 Best Lawyers in America list; Firm Ranked in Tier 1 for Best Law Firms
News
Aug 2013
•2013 'Top Rated Lawyers' at Gentry Locke
News
Oct 2012
•Three Gentry Locke Attorneys Receive Client Distinction Awards in 2012
News
Oct 2012
•Twenty-four Gentry Locke Attorneys Named 'Best Lawyers'
News
Sep 2012
•Gentry Locke Attorneys Listed in 37 'Legal Eagle' Categories
News
Apr 2012
•Gentry Locke Lawyers Named to 2004 Virginia Legal Elite
News
Dec 2004
•CGL Policy: 'Flooding Event' Pollution Exclusion Clause
Articles
Jul 2004
•Environmental Update: Property Owners Beware
Articles
Jan 2000