GOP House Speaker Cox’s chief of staff joins Gentry Locke

Roanoke-based law firm Gentry Locke has tapped Matthew S. Moran, the former chief of staff to Virginia Speaker of the House Kirk Cox, as its government affairs director. 

Moran will join the firm's government and regulatory affairs practice in its Richmond office, which opened in late 2018 with partners Gregory Habeeb and John “Chip” Dicks, both former members of the state House of Delegates. The Richmond office has also added litigation associate Jeffrey Miller and former Williamsburg Vice Mayor Daniel Scott Foster Jr., a commercial associate.

“Gentry Locke is now the only firm than can offer clients the capabilities of two former legislators, one Democrat and one Republican, a senior legislative and political staffer, and a former elected local government official,” said Gentry Locke Managing Partner Monica Monday in a statement. “Matt’s tremendous experience in state policy and strategic communications will be a great asset to our clients and Scott’s experience in local government will be key to supporting our clients’ needs at the local level.”

Moran will provide strategic communications services, helping clients nagivate the state's changing political landscape. Prior to serving as Cox's chief of staff, Moran worked as an adviser to House Speaker Bill Howell, and also worked for U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, and 2017 gubernatorial candidate Ed Gillespie. Moran holds a bachelor's degree in government from the University of Virginia.

Cox was re-elected on Nov. 5 but will lose his position as speaker in the next General Assembly session, due to the Democrats taking majority control of the state legislature.