WRVB Deepens Its Bench with the Addition of Seven Associates

Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black (WRVB) is pleased to welcome seven new attorneys in four office locations.

Tyler Butt, Henry Evans, Gavin Roe, and Rachel Tucker have joined the firm in Roanoke; Ruth Turley in Lynchburg; Gil Topaz in Richmond; and Albert Gutierrez in Norfolk.

The new associates deepen the firm’s bench in five core practice groups:  Corporate & Business Transactions, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Commercial Real Estate, Liability Defense, and Labor & Employment.

Tyler S. Butt
Tyler advises clients on litigation and dispute resolution matters.

Prior to joining WRVB as a summer associate in 2022, he served as a legal intern at the Norfolk Public Defenders Office.

Tyler earned his bachelor’s at Old Dominion University and his law degree at the University of Richmond School of Law. While attending law school, Tyler served as a member of the Public Interest Law Review.

C. Henry Evans
Henry advises clients on corporate and business transactions, and trust and estate matters.

Prior to joining Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black (WRVB), Henry served as a legal intern at the Smyth County Commonwealth’s Attorney Office in Marion, Virginia. Additionally, he gained niche experience in the insurance arena as a licensed Virginia Life Insurance and Annuity Producer. Prior to law school, Henry spent nearly three years as a legal assistant Mountain Empire Legal Services in Marion, Virginia.

Henry earned his bachelor’s at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and his law degree at the University of Richmond School of law. During his time at law school, Henry served as the treasurer of the Virginia Bar Association and was a member of the Moot Court Executive Board.

Albert A. Gutierrez
Albert advises clients on liability defense matters and disputes.

Albert first joined WRVB as a summer associate in 2021 and 2022 and returned as an associate in 2023. He earned his law degree at the University of Richmond School of Law. While in law school, Albert was a member of the University’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Board, Law Career Development Board, and the Public Interest Law Review, where he served as managing editor. He also served as the Treasurer of the Sports and Entertainment Law Society.

Additionally, during his 2022 fall semester at law school, Albert served as a legal extern at his alma mater, where he researched various NCAA bylaws and issues.

Albert earned his bachelor’s degree at Brandeis University.

Gil Topaz
Gil’s practice focuses on general corporate and transactional matters, and commercial real estate.

In addition to his undergraduate and law degrees, Gil has a master’s degree in conflict analysis and resolution. He draws on this unique educational background to help clients navigate complex legal challenges and keep deals moving forward.

Prior to joining WRVB as a summer associate in 2022, Gil served as in intern for the Honorable Kea W. Riggs at the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico. During his time at the University of Richmond School of Law, Gil was a board member of the Law and Business Forum, a student attorney for the Intellectual Property and Transactional Law Clinic and was a recipient of the Faculty Award for Excellence in Corporate and Securities Law.

Upon earning his undergraduate degree at the Virginia Commonwealth University, he pursued a brief career as a professional soccer player in Israel. Traveling extensively throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas, Gil developed an interest in business and corporate law—an interest that would influence the focus of his legal practice.

Ruth A. Turley
Ruth focuses her practice on corporate and business transactions, litigation and dispute resolution, and labor and employment.

Prior to joining Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black (WRVB), Ruth was a legal fellow at the International Foundation for Electoral Systems in Arlington, Virginia, where she studied alternative dispute methods in resolving conflicts. As a student at the William & Mary School of Law, Ruth served as the vice recruitment chair of the National Trial Team, earning the recognition of Outstanding Advocate at the NTC. Ruth was also the senior training director for the Alternative Dispute Resolution Team.

Ruth maintains an active presence in the community. She volunteers at Citizens Against Physical and Sexual Abuse (CAPSA) and the Orphanage Support Services Organizations (OSSO).

Gavin A. Roe
Gavin advises clients in business disputes and litigation.

Prior to joining Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black (WRVB) full time, Gavin served as law clerk to the Honorable Henry E. Hudson at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. He was previously a summer associate with the firm in 2021.

While earning his law degree at the University of Richmond School of Law, Gavin served as the Manuscripts Editor of University of Richmond Law Review Vol. 56, the president of the Moot Court Executive Board, a member of the First-Generation Law Student Organization, and a Richmond School of Law Student Ambassador. He also won the Carrico and Barnett Moot Court Competitions and was an Order of the Barristers award recipient.

Rachel E. Tucker
A member of Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black’s (WRVB) highly regarded Liability Defense practice group, Rachel defends healthcare providers in a wide range of medical malpractice claims.

Having managed a large caseload as a public defender in the Roanoke City Public Defenders office, Rachel lends strong project management skills to the group’s rigorous defense of hospitals and healthcare systems. Fluent in Spanish, she is an advocate for the firm’s Spanish-speaking clients.

Rachel graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law (UNC) on a merit-based scholarship. While at UNC, she served as the senior staff editor of the North Carolina International Law Journal and competed as member of the International Team on the Holderness Moot Court. She completed more than 50 hours of pro bono service, contributing to “The Battered Immigrant Project” and a family law project involving will and divorce drafting.

Prior to law school, Rachel graduated summa cum laude from Emory & Henry College with a triple major in English, Spanish, and Political Science. In addition to being on the Dean’s list every semester, she was also president of the Hermesian Literary Society, president of the Pre-Law Society, and vice president of Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society.