Patrice Lenette Lewis

Patrice Lewis is a Partner and Government Affairs Director at our firm. She has a diverse background in law, policy and communications, along with a strong ability to analyze data and provide strategic insights. Patrice is dedicated to helping our clients achieve their legal, legislative, and strategic goals focusing on issues such as technology, healthcare, education, and criminal justice reform. Before joining our firm, Patrice worked as a strategic marketing and communications consultant for SIR, Inc., in Richmond, VA. In that role, she led various initiatives focused on communications, outreach and engagement, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion. Additionally, Patrice served as an outreach representative for Senator Mark R. Warner, covering Central and South Central Virginia, and as the legislative assistant to the late Delegate (Judge) Onzlee Ware. A native of Roanoke, Virginia, Patrice earned her undergraduate degree in sociology from the University of Virginia and her law degree from Regent University School of Law. She is licensed to practice law in both Virginia and Maryland.

A quick handshake

•Did you ever consider a different career path besides law?

When I was five-years old, bright-eyed and innocent me wanted to be an actress. I have a gift for the theatrics when I’m comfortable, and I believed I had this larger than life personality. That dream ended when I realized that actors struggled to get money, and I assumed lawyers made money quickly. I grew to appreciate the profession for what it is.

•Who were your influences for pursuing a law degree?

First and foremost, my uncle. Seeing him become a judge and seeing how he lived had a huge impact on me. Additionally, Thurgood Marshall and Claire Huxtable were major influences. I was glad to see people like me be successful and break barriers. Plus, Claire was fly, and that’s how I envisioned myself.

•What made you decide to play the trumpet?

Dizzy Gillespie was my influence to wanting to play the trumpet. It was definitely the cheeks that drew me in, but the sounds kept me. I come from a musical family, so it made sense to go into music, but being the unicorn that I am, I created my own path and decided to try the trumpet. I absolutely loved playing, and I wasn’t too bad at it either.

Experience

•Served as Senior Advisor at Southeastern Institute of Research
•Worked as an Adjunct Professor of Research Methodologies at Virginia Commonwealth University Brandcenter
•Represented U.S. Senator Mark Warner at the United States Senate as an Outreach Representative
•Worked as a Legislative Assistant for Delegate Onzlee Ware, 11th District

Library

•Gentry Locke Promotes Patrice L. Lewis to Partner
News
Jan 2026
•2023 Employment Law Symposium: Be the HR Hero!
Events
Feb 2023
•2022 Gentry Locke Seminar
Events
Apr 2022
•Environmental Justice in Virginia: Where are We Now?
Articles
Mar 2022
•Don't Leave HR to Luck: Gentry Locke's 2022 Employment Law Symposium
Events
Jan 2022