Ryan J. Starks, Esq.

Ryan Starks works in Gentry Locke’s commercial litigation practice group, where he assists clients with complex business and civil disputes in state and federal courts throughout Virginia. Ryan has also practiced before the U.S. Government Accountability Office and the Court of Federal Claims. Ryan has wide-ranging experience in courts extending from the eastern shore to southwest corner of the state, including in construction, contract, employment, government contracting, and real estate disputes. Ryan has worked with a broad range of large and small domestic and international clients to achieve successful outcomes throughout the Commonwealth.

A quick handshake

•What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not working with clients?

I love to get outside and go for a run. I avoid running the same routes because it pushes me to explore Richmond and witness the changes happening around my city. For that reason, I always bring my running shoes when I travel. I find running is a great way to get acquainted with a new place.

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

I would work in music in some capacity, likely as a band or artist manager. Part of what I enjoy most about my role as an attorney is that I get to take on my clients’ difficult and distracting issues which, in turn, allows them to remain focused on “number one” - running their business. The same holds true for an artist manager whose job is to handle the minutiae of the music business so the artist can devote all their energy to making great art.

Experience

•Represents businesses and individuals in lawsuits involving contract disputes, business torts, professional liability, personal injury, and other civil actions
•Represents landlords and tenants in commercial lease disputes
•Represents employers facing allegations of discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
•Counsels clients through investigations by the Department of Justice and the State Attorney’s General Office including whistleblower litigation and alleged violations of the False Claims Act
•Represents government contractors in bid protests, and disputes with prime and subcontractors
•Represents construction professionals in disputes with subcontractors as well as the state and federal government, including disputes related to Miller and Little Miller Act payment bonds, mechanics liens, claims for delay damages, and other construction-related litigation
•Counsels clients through multiparty alternative dispute resolution/mediation

Awards

•Named to Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation (2026)
•Named to Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch” List for Commercial Litigation (2025)
•Named to Virginia Lawyers Weekly “Up & Coming Lawyers” List for the Class of 2024
•Named a “Legal Elite” by Virginia Business Magazine for Young Lawyers (2024-2025)
•Named a Virginia Super Lawyers “Rising Star” in Business Litigation (2025)

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
•20 Gentry Locke Attorneys Recognized in 2025 Virginia Super Lawyers Lists
News
May 2025
•Updated 2025 'Low Wage' Salary Levels for Virginia Non-Compete Agreements
Articles
Jan 2025
•29 Gentry Locke Attorneys Named to 2024 Virginia Business Legal Elite List
News
Dec 2024
•Gentry Locke Partners Erin M. Harrigan and Ryan J. Starks Recognized by Virginia Lawyers Weekly
News
Sep 2024
•Breaking: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas “Sets Aside” the FTC’s Non-Compete Ban-Barring Enforcement of the Final Rule Nationwide
Articles
Aug 2024
•35 Gentry Locke Attorneys Recognized in Best Lawyers 2025 Lists
News
Aug 2024
•Federal Lawsuits Challenge, but Do Not Halt, FTC Rule Banning Non-Competes; What Employers Can Do to Protect Information and Talent in the Absence of Non-Competes
Articles
Aug 2024
•FTC Seeks to Impose Ban On Noncompete Restrictions on Employees
Articles
Apr 2024
•New 2024 “Low Wage” Salary Level for Virginia Non-Compete Agreements
Articles
Feb 2024
•Gentry Locke Promotes Jeffrey P. Miller and Ryan J. Starks to Partner
News
Jan 2024
•2023 Employment Law Symposium: Be the HR Hero!
Events
Feb 2023
•What if the STB Greenlights Its Small Rate Case Arbitration Proposed Rule?
Articles
Jan 2023
•2023 Gentry Locke Seminars
Events
May 2022