Jon R.L. Roellke

Jon Roellke is a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation practice group and works closely with the firm’s Civil Defense Litigation practice group as well. Prior to joining the firm as an attorney, Jon was a Law Clerk at the Virginia Court of Appeals and the Chesterfield Circuit Court. While in law school at the University of Richmond, Jon worked as an Intern for the Office of the Federal Public Defender, Western District of Virginia and at the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society where he was also a Virginia Law Foundation Fellow.

A quick handshake

•What's on your bucket list?

Exploring all the National Parks and visiting every Major League Baseball (MLB) stadium are two things on my bucket list. So far, I've had the privilege of visiting 38 National Park units. I believe now, there are over 400 units scattered throughout the country. As for the MLB stadiums, I'm a huge fan of baseball, and I have visited many of the stadiums on the East Coast and would like to now adventure west. Each stadium has its own atmosphere and traditions. One of the great things about baseball is that no two fields or stadiums are exactly alike: the Green Monster at Fenway Park plays very differently than the short porch at Yankee Stadium.

•What made you decide to pursue a law career?

I have a deep-rooted desire to make a positive impact by helping others. Law is an inherently helping profession, offering a platform to provide valuable services and assistance to individuals. I find great fulfillment in using my skills and knowledge to address complex legal issues and guiding individuals through the intricacies of the legal system.

•If you had chosen a career other than law, what would you be doing?

I would either be a teacher or a high school baseball coach. Having played baseball growing up, I have noticed there are many life lessons you can learn from baseball. Both roles align with my passion for guiding and helping others.

Experience

•Assisted major tractor-trailer corporations in multiple catastrophic injury claims at all stages of claims process.
•Obtained favorable resolution for delivery company in a disputed liability collision suit involving spoliation defenses.
•Obtained favorable resolution in complex, multi-jurisdictional ERISA fund dispute in the Eastern District of Virginia.
•Obtained pre-appearance dismissal of multi-claimant property damage suit for national tractor-trailer company based on a successful scope of employment defense.
•Obtained favorable resolution for international manufacturing company before the American Arbitration Association in seven-figure Uniform Commercial Code dispute.
•Obtained favorable resolution of major multi-count non-solicitation and non-compete lawsuit in the Eastern District of Virginia.
•Successfully represented underinsured motorist carriers in Virginia state and federal courts.
•Drafted bench memoranda and opinions for state intermediate appellate court judge.
•Prepared memoranda and orders in state trial court on all civil matters before the court.

Speaking Engagements

•“Special Techniques to Defend Cases: Pleas in Bar,” Gentry Locke Seminar 2024

Awards

•2025 Virginia Access to Justice Commission Pro Bono Service Honor Roll Member
•2024 Gentry Locke Pro Bono Promise Award Recipient

Library

•Gentry Locke Adds Jon R.L. Roellke to Richmond Office
News
Jan 2024