Noah Sullivan has a diverse litigation practice, focused on high-stakes commercial, government, and regulatory litigation. Noah has deep litigation experience in federal and state courts across the nation. Prior to joining Gentry Locke, Noah cut his teeth for over nine years at the Washington, D.C. office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. He also previously served as Deputy Counsel and then Counsel to Governor Terry McAuliffe of Virginia. At Gentry Locke, Noah combines his commercial litigation experience and Virginia-government experience to help clients navigate their most significant litigation, regulatory, and government-facing challenges.
A quick handshake
•4 major life events in 6 months? That sounds intense - tell us more!
Our family landed on a big 2022: new job, new home, new puppy, and new human. After accepting my position with Gentry Locke, we also made the move from D.C. to Richmond and bought a new home. We adopted a new puppy and, to top it all off, my wife and I had our first child in August 2022. I cannot say that I want a bigger year anytime soon, but it was a good one!
•I see that you've helped to restore civil rights to many people - that must be incredibly rewarding. Can you elaborate on this admirable work?
I am very proud of the work I did for Governor McAuliffe to advance his initiative to restore civil rights to Virginians who otherwise were disenfranchised for life, due to a prior felony conviction. This impacted hundreds of thousands of Virginians, including those who had completed their sentences long ago. Governor McAuliffe led on this issue, and he acted to restore civil rights to every Virginia who had completed their sentences.
I helped develop the legal framework and litigation strategy for his bold, historic initiative, and-after some controversy-Governor McAuliffe successfully restored civil rights to over 175,000 Virginians. As a lawyer, I have found nothing more rewarding than using my skills to help right a wrong; and, thanks to Governor McAuliffe, I was able to play a part in bringing full citizenship to thousands upon thousands of Virginians.
•You recently moved from D.C. to Richmond to join us at Gentry Locke. Where is home for you?
I’m a devout Virginian and have been fortunate to experience many of the wonderful cities and towns here. I'm originally from Lynchburg. I attended UVA in Charlottesville before moving away for law school. I made my way back to Virginia to work for former Governor Terry McAuliffe. I spent recent years in the DMV and am very happy to be back in Richmond!
Experience
•Represented clients in numerous cases in federal and state courts, tackling significant matters on a broad spectrum of legal and factual issues, including:
•Obtaining dismissal of declaratory judgment action on exclusive and primary jurisdiction grounds, in a case brought by a major railroad that was represented by a renowned Washington, DC firm.
•Litigating trademark dispute on behalf of plaintiff in the Eastern District of Virginia, leading to favorable global settlement.
•Obtaining full defense victory for client in arbitration proceeding arising from tax dispute in a multi-billion dollar transaction.
•Representing major insurance company in series of cases primarily pending in South Carolina state court related to novel theories of liability in asbestos exposure cases.
•Defending large retail company in series of wage and hour litigations and arbitrations.
•Representing Canadian lumber producer in countervailing duties dispute before the Department of Commerce and bi-national review panels.
•Convincing Department of Health and Human Services to reverse decision to suspend a provider from Medicare program, at the very beginning of the administrative appeal process.
•Successfully navigating a thorny and complex dispute between numerous primary care providers against a major health insurance provider regarding their participation agreements.
•Conducting discovery and preparation for retrial in False Claims Act case brought by the United States against a major government contractor, which led to favorable settlement.
•Representing rail carriers in significant proceedings before the Surface Transportation Board.
•Defending multiple medical practices in dispute with insurance company regarding termination and amendment rights, involving complex federal and state legal issues.
•Representing technology company in appeal of major trade-secrets judgment on appeal to the Virginia Court of Appeals.
•Obtaining reversal of multi-million-dollar False Claims Act judgment in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
•Representing non-profit hospital in appeal of enormous False Claims Act judgment in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
•Representing health care company in multi-jurisdictional health care fraud investigation.
•Conducting internal investigation on behalf of client in response to sexual misconduct scandal with top executive.
•Noah also maintains an active pro bono practice, which has included defending indigent litigants facing criminal charges in the Eastern District of Virginia and representing plaintiff in Section 1983 suit against locality in the District of Maryland.
•Served as chief legal advisor to the Governor of Virginia and Cabinet on all aspects of state government, including:
•Overseeing review of all regulatory actions pending before executive branch agencies and took lead role in legislative efforts related to the Virginia Administrative Process Act.
•Reviewing legislation passed by the General Assembly, as well as developing executive orders and directives to advance the Governor’s priorities.
•Developing legal framework and litigation strategy for Governor’s historic restoration of rights program, which successfully restored voting rights to over 175,000 ex-felons in Virginia.
•Advising Governor and Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security on issues surrounding 2017 white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia and follow-on executive orders and actions.
•Litigating remedial plan in Congressional redistricting case on behalf of Governor McAuliffe, which resulted in Governor’s advocated creation of second minority opportunity district in Virginia.
* Some Representative matters reflect work prior to joining Gentry Locke
Awards
•Named to Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation (2026)
•Named to Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch” List for Administrative/Regulatory Law (2025)
•Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell
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 20, 2025 - Port Commission Oversteps Its Authority in Pursuing Railroad
•May 20, 2024 - Railroad’s Track Cannot Be Taken by Local Development District
Library
•31 Gentry Locke Attorneys Recognized in Best Lawyers 2026 Lists
News
Aug 2025
•Port Commission Oversteps Its Authority in Pursuing Railroad 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
•Administrative Law Update - University of Richmond Law Review
Articles
Feb 2025
•35 Gentry Locke Attorneys Recognized in Best Lawyers 2025 Lists
News
Aug 2024
•Railroad’s Track Cannot Be Taken by Local Development District 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
May 2024
•The Return of Divided Government in Virginia: The State Budget as Ground Zero for the Power Struggle Over Virginia, Perhaps Headed to the Supreme Court of Virginia
Articles
Mar 2024
•Supreme Court of Virginia’s Vlaming Decision is a Legal Earthquake with Major Implications for Virginia Businesses, Organizations, and Government Entities
Articles
Feb 2024
•Pro-Employee Whistleblower Standard Embraced by SCOTUS
Articles
Feb 2024
•The Executive View: Virginia Regulatory Process, Appeals, and Lessons Learned from the Inside
Articles
Jan 2024
•Three Former In-House Counsel Join Gentry Locke as Partners
Articles
Dec 2022
•Major Administrative Law Decision by the Virginia Supreme Court Tightens Agency Scrutiny, Increasing Likelihood of Delays, Remands, and Further Litigation in Contested Regulatory Matters
Articles
Jun 2022
•Gentry Locke Welcomes Noah Sullivan to its Richmond Office
News
May 2022
•2023 Gentry Locke Seminars
Events
May 2022
