Jessiah Hulle, 27 / Associate Attorney, Gentry Locke Attorneys
Jessiah Hulle graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Honors Theology from the University of Valley Forge in 2017, culminating in a magna cum laude J.D. from Washington and Lee University School of Law in 2020. Transitioning from his tenure as a law clerk for Judge Mary Grace O’Brien on the Court of Appeals of Virginia, Hulle currently serves at Gentry Locke, contributing to the Criminal & Government Investigations practice group. His role involves pivotal motions, appeals and active participation in the firm’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and Artificial Intelligence Taskforce. He is a member of the Roanoke Bar Association and Federal Bar Association: Western District of Virginia Chapter. He has served as a volunteer judge for law competitions, contributed to the Virginia Bar Association Model Judiciary Program, was a guest speaker for Total Action for Progress’s African American Culture and Contemporary Issues class and a guest panelist for W&L Law’s First Generation Student Union. He is also an active volunteer at Life Church in Roanoke. “I use my passion for education to advise students interested in a legal career,” he says. “I hope to increase my impact in the future … with local high schools, colleges and law schools. I encourage anyone interested in law school to give me a call; I will help if I can!”
Career Highlights:
- Notably one of less than ten known University of Valley Forge alumni to attend law school
- Played a key role in briefing and arguing successful critical motions in multimillion-dollar cases
- Assisted in complex, high-profile investigations, prosecutions and appeals reported on by national and local publications
- Published articles in legal journals, including the Richmond Journal of Law & Technology Blog and The Fee Simple
Legal and Volunteer Involvement:
- Served as a volunteer judge for multiple law competitions, including the National Moot Court Competition, ABA’s Client Counseling Competition and National Black Law Students Association Thurgood Marshall Moot Court Competition
- Volunteered for the Virginia Bar Association Model Judiciary Program
- Acted as a guest speaker for Total Action for Progress’s African American Culture and Contemporary Issues class and a guest panelist for W&L Law’s First Generation Student Union
- Active volunteer at Life Church in Roanoke and networker with aspiring law students
Personal Background:
- The first lawyer in his extended family, which consists mainly of teachers, nurses and farmers
- Aspires to be an adjunct professor and author, known as “a writer who works as a lawyer”
- Recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award, Bronze and Pro Bono Service Honor Roll
From the Nomination: “Hulle is the first lawyer in his entire extended family, which consists mainly of teachers, nurses and farmers. He is also one of less than ten known graduates of his undergraduate alma mater to attend law school. Despite this, he has adapted to the legal field through hard work, networking and a bit of good luck. He was willing to work any job necessary to pay for college and gain people skills, from scrubbing toilets at a summer camp to opening a Dunkin Donuts at 3:45 am. Even in law school he worked part-time one semester as a janitor for the hotel his fiancée worked at–sometimes cleaning the bathrooms of his own classmates’ families — in order to help her out and earn extra tuition money. He genuinely cares about other first-generation law students and is always willing to pick up the phone and speak with current or aspiring law students. …”
What do you love about Roanoke?
“It is a great city for young attorneys. There is a steady stream of complex legal work and tons of opportunity for professional growth. The lawyers, judges, paraprofessionals and support staff who work in the city are close knit, friendly and supportive. And the Roanoke Valley itself offers a low cost of living, gorgeous views of mountains and rolling green hills and a relaxed pace of life.”
How does your passion impact our community?
“First, I use my passion for law to try to achieve tangible positive results for clients. Western Virginia is a growing area for business and the corporations and individuals who serve the local markets deserve excellent legal representation so they can thrive. Second, I use my passion for education to advise students interested in a legal career. I hope to increase my impact in the future through work with local high schools, colleges and law schools. I encourage anyone interested in law school to give me a call; I will help if I can!”
