Gentry Locke Welcomes New Associates Alicha M. Grubb and Ariel S. Wossene
Alicha M. Grubb joins Commercial Litigation group and Ariel S. Wossene joins Plaintiff’s group
ROANOKE, Va. (October 4, 2017) – Two lawyers have joined the Virginia law firm of Gentry Locke as associates in the Roanoke office. Alicha M. Grubb will work in the Commercial Litigation group helping clients resolve their business disputes, and Ariel S. Wossene will handle Qui Tam/Whistleblower matters while providing support to the firm’s Plaintiff, Employment, and Litigation practices. Both Alicha and Ariel join Gentry Locke after serving as law clerks at the 23rd Judicial Circuit Court of Virginia. 
While at the 23rd Judicial Circuit Court of Virginia, Alicha Grubb researched criminal and civil motions before the Circuit Court; advised on facts, legal precedent and probable case outcomes; and assisted on large projects, such as editing the Virginia Model Jury Instructions. She also previously held roles at the Roanoke County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of North Carolina. Ariel Wossene researched civil and criminal issues to draft bench memoranda and opinions for six judges; updated the Virginia Model Jury Instructions; and researched procedural issues for consideration by the General Assembly during her time at the 23rd Judicial Circuit Court of Virginia. Her other previous government experience includes roles at the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, and the U.S. Department of Energy.
Alicha earned her B.A. cum laude from Bob Jones University and studied abroad in Hermosillo, Sonora, and Mexico City, Mexico. She earned her J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law, where she was recognized as the highest-ranking oralist on the Wake Forest Jessup International Law Moot Court team, received a CALI Award for trial practice, and was also honored with the North Carolina Advocates for Justice Award. She belonged to the Wake Forest Journal of Law and Policy and the Black Law Student Association, and donated significant time to a variety of pro bono initiatives. In addition to her legal practice, Grubb, who speaks fluent Spanish, serves with Blue Ridge Literacy and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Ariel earned her B.A. summa cum laude from Fisk University, and her J.D. from Washington and Lee University School of Law. During law school, she received the Randall P. Bezanson Award in recognition of outstanding contributions to diversity life, participated on the National Frederick Douglass Moot Court as both a national competitor and a moot court coach, and served as president of the Black Law Students Association. She has been active in the Ted Dalton American Inn of Court, and recently led a volunteer project that earned an award from the National Inns of Court.
About Gentry Locke
With more than 55 lawyers practicing in a range of disciplines, Gentry Locke brings uncommon thinking and deep experience to the legal and business challenges of companies, institutions, organizations and individuals—a commitment the firm has met since 1923. Operating from offices in Roanoke and Lynchburg, Va., Gentry Locke serves clients in Virginia and across the U.S., as well as worldwide as a member firm of the ALFA International Legal Network. Meet the firm’s dynamic attorneys and learn more about its fierce drive to achieve success for its clients by exploring this website.
