Monica Monday heads the firm’s Appeals and Critical Issues practice. Monica represents her clients in Virginia’s state and federal appellate courts across a wide variety of cases, including commercial and business disputes, healthcare, property, personal injury, local government matters, domestic relations and more. In 2015, Monica was inducted as a fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers - only the fifth Virginia attorney to be so honored. Monica is ranked (Band 1) in
Chambers USA, Virginia, for Appellate and General Commercial Litigation. She has been described by Chambers USA as having “a commanding reputation as ‘one of the go-to practitioners’ for appellate work” (2018), as being “held in high esteem as a leading appellate lawyer” (2022), and as being “the dean of Virginia Supreme Court litigation” (2023). She has been recognized among
Virginia’s Top 10 Lawyers, Virginia’s Top 50 Women Lawyers, and
Virginia’s Top 100 Lawyers by the Thomson Reuters’
Virginia S
uper Lawyers, and on the
Best Lawyers in America and
Virginia Business magazine’s
Legal Elite lists. She was a “Leaders in the Law” honoree and named a “Go To Lawyer for Appellate” by
Virginia Lawyers Weekly.
Monica frequently lectures and writes on appellate issues. She has served as Chair of The Virginia Bar Association’s Appellate Practice Section Council, the Appellate Practice Committee of the Virginia State Bar Litigation Section, and the Fourth Circuit Rules Advisory Committee.
Monica served as Managing Partner of the firm from 2013-2022, and now serves as Chair of Gentry Locke’s Executive Board.
Before joining Gentry Locke, Monica clerked for the Honorable Lawrence L. Koontz, Jr., who served as Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals of Virginia, and as a Justice and Senior Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia.
A quick handshake
•If I wasn’t practicing law...
I would be running an animal rescue shelter. I grew up with a cat, parrot, fish, and rabbits. When I got married, my husband brought a rescue dog into our lives, and we have been adopting rescue dogs ever since.
•People would be surprised to know...
I was the first person in my immediate family to graduate from college, but my mom was not far behind me. My mom put herself through college while working full time and raising me and my sister as a single mom, and she graduated from college the year after I did.
•Do you have an important life lesson to share?
Sometimes our greatest disappointments turn out later to be our most significant moments and opportunities. Learn patience and be open to what happens next.
Experience
•In a trade secrets dispute, secured reversal of largest jury verdict in Virginia history. Appian Corporation v. Pegasystems Inc., 81 Va. App. 433, 924 S.E.2d 621 (2026)
•Obtained affirmance of defense verdict in tractor-trailer accident case. LeDoux v. Western Express, Inc., 126 F. 4th 978 (4th Cir. 2025)
•Obtained reversal of trial court’s ruling refusing to enforce a personal guaranty. CSE, Inc. v. Kibby Welding, LLC, 77 Va. App. 795, 887 S.E.2d 789 (2023)
•Court affirmed trial court’s interpretation of post-nuptial agreement. Worsham v. Worsham, 74 Va. App. 151, 867 S.E.2d 63 (2022)
•Secured final judgment for bank in equitable subrogation case concerning entitlement to funds in deposit account. Arch Insurance Company v. FVCbank, 301 Va. 503, 881 S.E.2d 785 (2022)
•Court affirmed summary judgment in suit alleging discriminatory taxation. Norfolk Southern Ry. Co. v. City of Roanoke, 916 F.3d 315 (4th Cir. 2019)
•Court affirmed the trial court’s decision to set aside a multi-million dollar verdict in a government contracting case. CGI Federal, Inc. v. FCi Federal, Inc., 295 Va. 506, 814 S.E.2d 183 (2018)
•Court held that property owners had a vested right to the use of their property. Board of Supervisors of Richmond County v. Rhoads, 294 Va. 43, 803 S.E.2d 329 (2017)
•In question of first impression involving social host duty to child guest, obtained affirmance of motion to strike. Lasley v. Hylton, 288 Va. 419, 764 S.E.2d 88 (2014)
•Court reversed dismissal of defamation case and clarified the defenses to qualified immunity. Cashion v. Smith, 286 Va. 327, 749 S.E.2d 526 (2013)
•Obtained reversal of workers’ compensation case where the Full Commission lacked authority to decide the case with a retired Commissioner. Layne v. Crist Electrical Contractor, Inc., 62 Va. App. 632, 751 S.E.2d 679 (2013)
•Obtained reversal of $25 million jury verdict in maritime case relating to asbestos exposure. Exxon Mobil Corp. v. Minton, 285 Va. 115, 737 S.E.2d 16 (2013)
•Obtained reversal of decision striking down water and sewer rates that town charged to out-of-town customers; won final judgment in favor of town. Town of Leesburg v. Giordano, 280 Va. 597, 701 S.E.2d 783 (2010)
•In question of first impression, obtained dismissal of domestic relations appeal based upon terms of property settlement agreement, which waived the right of appeal. Burke v. Burke, 52 Va. App. 183, 662 S.E.2d 622 (2008)
•Obtained reversal of award of writ of mandamus against municipal land development official in subdivision application case. Umstattd v. Centex Homes, G.P., 274 Va. 541, 650 S.E.2d 527 (2007)
•Secured affirmance of compensatory and punitive damages awards for breach of fiduciary duty, tortious interference, and conspiracy. Banks v. Mario Industries of Virginia, Inc., 274 Va. 438, 650 S.E.2d 687 (2007)
•Successfully represented an individual in a premises liability case involving a question of first impression. Taboada v. Daly Seven, Inc., 271 Va. 313, 626 S.E.2d 428 (2006), adhered to on rehearing, 641 S.E.2d 68 (2007)
•Obtained a new trial on damages for injured plaintiff in a medical malpractice case. Monahan v. Obici Medical Management Services, 271 Va. 621, 628 S.E.2d 330 (2006)
•Successfully defended decision of the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission awarding attendant care benefits for employee who lost both arms in an industrial accident and assessing a large award of attorneys fees against opposing party. Virginia Polytechnic Institute v. Posada, 47 Va. App. 150, 622 S.E.2d 762 (2005)
•Obtained reversal of summary judgment in federal court negligence case. Blair v. Defender Services, 386 F.3d 623 (4th Cir. 2004)
•Successfully defended compensatory and punitive damages jury verdict in malicious prosecution case. Stamathis v. Flying J, Inc., 389 F.3d 429 (4th Cir. 2004)
•Obtained reversal of summary judgment in state malicious prosecution case representing chairman of a school board. Andrews v. Ring, 266 Va. 311, 585 S.E.2d 780 (2003)
•Successful defense of jury verdict in a construction case interpreting statutory warranty for new dwellings. Vaughn, Inc. v. Beck, 262 Va. 673, 554 S.E.2d 88 (2001)
•Successfully defended federal court’s dismissal of First Amendment constitutional challenge in voting rights case. Jordahl v. Democratic Party of Virginia, 122 F.3d 192 (4th Cir. 1997), cert. denied, 522 U.S. 1077 (1998)
Administration & Litigation
•Represent medical providers, including physicians, veterinarians, dentists, chiropractors, nurses, and nurse practitioners in disciplinary and licensure matters before the Virginia Department of Health Professions
Awards
•Recipient of the inaugural Circle of Excellence Award by Virginia Lawyers Weekly (2024)
•Recipient of the William & Mary Law School Edmund Randolph Award for Excellence in Oral Advocacy (2023)
•“Leading Individual” by Chambers and Partners USA (2021-2025), Band 1, Litigation: Appellate (Virginia)
•“Leading Individual” by Chambers and Partners USA (2017-2025), Band 1, Litigation: Commercial (Virginia)
•Named a “Go To Lawyer for Appellate” by Virginia Lawyers Weekly (2023)
•“Roanoke Lawyer of the Year for Appellate Law” (2020 & 2025) by Best Lawyers in America
•Recipient of the Gentry Locke J. Rudy Austin Pro Bono Service Award (2023)
•“Virginia Business Power 500” (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
•“Virginia Business Women of Leadership” (2021)
•“Circle of Excellence” Honoree by Virginia Lawyers Weekly (2024)
•Peer rated “AV/Preeminent” by Martindale-Hubbell
•Fellow, American Academy of Appellate Lawyers (AAAL, inducted 2015)
•Fellow, American Bar Association (inducted 2013)
•Fellow, Roanoke Law Foundation (inducted 2013)
•Fellow, Virginia Law Foundation (inducted 2011)
•Benchmark Appellate Local Litigation Star (2013)
•2013 Class of “Influential Women of Virginia” by Virginia Lawyers Media
•Named one of The Best Lawyers in America in the field of Appellate Law (2009-2026)
•Named to Virginia Super Lawyers for Appellate Law in Super Lawyers magazine (2010-2025), listed in Virginia Super Lawyers Top 100 in Virginia (2013-2025), listed in Virginia Super Lawyers Top 50 Women in Virginia (2015-2025), listed in Virginia Super Lawyers Top 10 in Virginia (2019-2025), named to Super Lawyers Business Edition US in the area of Appellate Law (2012-2014), and previously was a Virginia Super Lawyers Rising Star (2007)
•Designated one of the “Legal Elite” by Virginia Business magazine for Appellate Law (2011-2025)
•Named a “Legal Eagle” for Appellate Practice by Virginia Living magazine (2012, 2015)
•Named a “Leaders in the Law” honoree by Virginia Lawyers Weekly (2006)
•Sandra P. Thompson Award (formerly the Fellows Award), Young Lawyers Division, Virginia Bar Association (2003)
•Best Appellate Advocate, First Place Team, and Best Brief, 1991 National Moot Court Competition
Published Work
•Appeals of Right are Coming to Virginia, The Virginia Bar Association Journal, Vol. XLVIII, Number 2 (Fall 2021).
•Interview with the Honorable Marla Graff Decker, The Virginia Bar Association Appellate Practice Section, On Appeal, Vol. VI, Number 1 (Spring 2021).
•Drawing Jurisdictional Lines: New Virginia Rules 1:1B and 1:1C, The Virginia Bar Association Appellate Practice Section, On Appeal, Vol. V, Number 1 (Spring 2020).
•Appellate Mediation in Virginia, The Virginia Bar Association Appellate Practice Section, On Appeal, Vol. V Number 1 (Spring 2020).
•Appellate Mediation Comes to Virginia, Virginia Lawyer, Volume 67, No. 3 (October 2018).
•New Rules for Appeal Bonds and Suspending Bonds, The Journal of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, Vol 26, Number 4 (2017).
•Confessions of an Oral Argument Junkie, The Virginia Bar Association Appellate Practice Section, On Appeal, Vol IV, Number 1 (Fall 2015).
•Drafting Good Assignments of Error, VTLAppeal Volume 1 (2012).
•Lessons from the Supreme Court of Virginia in 2010 on Preserving Error and Rule 5:25, The Virginia Bar Association Appellate Practice Section, On Appeal, Vol. II No. 1 (Summer 2011).
•Editorial Board, The Revised Appellate Handbook on Appellate Advocacy in the Supreme Court of Virginia and the Court of Appeals of Virginia, 2011 Edition, Litigation Section of the Virginia State Bar.
•Co-author, Something Old, Something New: The Partial Final Judgment Rule, VSB Litigation News, Volume XV Number III (Fall 2010).
•Co-author, Thoughts on Trying Construction Cases: An Appellate Perspective, Virginia State Bar Construction Law and Public Contracts News, Issue No. 56 (Spring 2010).
•You May Need to Object Twice...What “A Few Good Men” Taught Us About Preserving Error of Appeal, Virginia State Bar Litigation News (Winter 2005).
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.
•Feb 28, 2025 - Defense Verdict Affirmed for Western Express in Rear-end Accident
•Oct 19, 2023 - Upheld Opinion in Gender Pay Bias Case
•Jul 1, 2018 - Federal contracting client prevails in teaming agreement appeal
•Jun 29, 2018 - Judge Reduces Jury Verdict Due to Defect in Plaintiff’s Complaint
•Aug 31, 2017 - Property Owners Entitled to Relief from Zoning Administrator’s Mistake
•Dec 14, 2016 - Supreme Court of Virginia Affirms Circuit Court Decision in Construction Claim
•Aug 3, 2016 - Court of Appeals Affirms Finding of Desertion, Awards Appellate Attorney’s Fees
•Aug 18, 2015 - Fraud and Breach of Contract Claims Dismissed, Affirmed on Appeal
•Nov 8, 2013 - Physician Successfully Defended Before Medical Board
•Jun 11, 2013 - Court of Appeals Affirms Decision, Awards Attorney Fees
Library
•26 Gentry Locke Attorneys Named to 2025 Virginia Business Legal Elite List
News
Dec 2025
•31 Gentry Locke Attorneys Recognized in Best Lawyers 2026 Lists
News
Aug 2025
•Four Gentry Locke Practices and Six Partners Recognized by the Prestigious Chambers USA 2025
News
Jun 2025
•20 Gentry Locke Attorneys Recognized in 2025 Virginia Super Lawyers Lists
News
May 2025
•Defense Verdict Affirmed for Western Express in Rear-end Accident 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
Feb 2025
•Gentry Locke Attorneys Announces Executive Board Leadership for 2025
News
Feb 2025
•29 Gentry Locke Attorneys Named to 2024 Virginia Business Legal Elite List
News
Dec 2024
•Virginia Business Magazine Names Monica T. Monday to its 2024 Virginia 500 Power List
News
Aug 2024
•35 Gentry Locke Attorneys Recognized in Best Lawyers 2025 Lists
News
Aug 2024
•Virginia's Largest Jury Verdict Reversed
Articles
Aug 2024
•Four Gentry Locke Practices and Four Partners Recognized by the Prestigious Chambers USA 2024
News
Jun 2024
•18 Gentry Locke Attorneys Recognized in 2024 Virginia Super Lawyers Lists
News
Apr 2024
•Confessions of an Oral Argument Junkie: Lessons Learned from Listening to Recordings of Appellate Arguments
Articles
Apr 2024
•Gentry Locke’s Monica T. Monday Named an Inaugural Circle of Excellence Honoree by Virginia Lawyers Weekly
News
Feb 2024
•Appellate Mediation Comes to Virginia
Articles
Feb 2024
•Mike Pace: Citizen Lawyer
News
Jan 2024
•23 Gentry Locke Attorneys Named to 2023 Virginia Business Legal Elite List
News
Nov 2023
•Upheld Opinion in Gender Pay Bias Case - A Win for Gentry Locke’s Client
Articles
Oct 2023
•Upheld Opinion in Gender Pay Bias Case 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
Oct 2023
•Gentry Locke’s Monica T. Monday Presented with “Silver Tongue Award” for Appellate Advocacy by William & Mary Law School
News
Oct 2023
•Virginia Business Magazine names Monica T. Monday to their 2023 Virginia Power 500 List
News
Aug 2023
•30 Gentry Locke Attorneys Recognized in Best Lawyers 2024 Lists
News
Aug 2023
•Three Gentry Locke Practices and Four Partners Recognized by the Prestigious Chambers USA 2023
News
Jun 2023
•17 Gentry Locke Attorneys Recognized in 2023 Virginia Super Lawyers Lists
News
Apr 2023
•Pegasystems Says $2 Billion Trade Secrets Loss Lacked Secrets
Articles
Feb 2023
•Gentry Locke Attorneys Announces Leadership Updates for 2023: Names K. Brett Marston Managing Partner, and Monica T. Monday Chair of Executive Board
News
Jan 2023
•Twenty Gentry Locke Attorneys Named to 2022 Legal Elite List
News
Dec 2022
•Virginia Business Magazine names Monica T. Monday to their 2022 Virginia Power 500 List
News
Sep 2022
•Super Lawyers 2022 Recognizes 17 Gentry Locke Lawyers
News
May 2022
•2023 Gentry Locke Seminars
Events
May 2022
•2022 Gentry Locke Seminar
Events
Apr 2022
•Don't Leave HR to Luck: Gentry Locke's 2022 Employment Law Symposium
Events
Jan 2022
•Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Recognizes 18 Lawyers on 2021 Lists
News
May 2021
•Twenty Gentry Locke Attorneys Named to Legal Elite List
News
Dec 2020
•22 Gentry Locke Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2021
News
Aug 2020
•DOJ and Commonwealth of Virginia to Investigate Potential Hoarding of Coronavirus Medications and Other Essential Medical Supplies
Articles
Apr 2020
•20 Gentry Locke Lawyers Named as Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
News
Apr 2020
•Don't Leave HR to Luck: 2020 Employment Law Symposium (Postponed)
Events
Mar 2020
•Gentry Locke Managing Partner Monica T. Monday interviews as a Law Firm Leader with Law 360
News
Jan 2020
•Gentry Locke Announces 2020 Management Committee
News
Jan 2020
•21 Gentry Locke Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America
News
Aug 2019
•Gentry Locke, Managing Partner Monica Monday, and Partner Ashley Winsky Recognized by Chambers USA
News
May 2019
•Gentry Locke announces 2019 Management Committee
News
May 2019
•25 Gentry Locke attorneys named 2019 Virginia Super Lawyers or Rising Stars
News
Apr 2019
•Managing Partner Monica Monday named VBA Appellate Practice Section Chair
News
Mar 2019
•City of Roanoke Prevails; Railroad Must Pay Stormwater Management Fee
Articles
Mar 2019
•Ten Gentry Locke attorneys named to 2018 'Legal Elite' list
News
Dec 2018
•CLE co-presenter, The Life of an Appeal in the Court of Appeals of Virginia
Events
Oct 2018
•20 Gentry Locke Attorneys Named to 2019 'Best Lawyers in America '
News
Aug 2018
•Federal contracting client prevails in teaming agreement appeal 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
Jul 2018
•Judge Reduces Jury Verdict Due to Defect in Plaintiff’s Complaint 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
Jun 2018
•Gentry Locke and Managing Partner Monica Monday recognized by Chambers USA
News
May 2018
•27 Gentry Locke Attorneys Named 2018 Virginia Super Lawyers or Rising Stars
News
Apr 2018
•Gentry Locke attorneys again recognized as 2017 ‘Legal Elite’
News
Dec 2017
•Property Owners Entitled to Relief from Zoning Administrator’s Mistake 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
Aug 2017
•21 Gentry Locke Attorneys Named to 2018 Best Lawyers in America
News
Aug 2017
•Gentry Locke assists in raising funds to support Blue Ridge Legal Services
News
Jul 2017
•Gentry Locke and Managing Partner Monica Monday recognized by Chambers USA
News
Jun 2017
