Christopher Martin Locey

This post provides a written response to the Virginia State Bar’s (VSB) request to initiate a formal ethics investigation against Christopher Martin Locey. It contains information and provides specific examples how Mr. Locey violated provisions of the Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct. In additi...on, it illustrates how Mr. Locey’s actions and behavior contradict the Principals of Professionalism as he consistently failed to act with diligence, dedication, respect, courtesy and in my best interests. Mr. Locey’s professionalism and ineptitude caused me to experience undue stress and severe anxiety, which ultimately undermined my confidence in his ability and trustworthiness. Listed below are specific violations of the rules and principals along with a brief description of each. These examples provide a glimpse and represent only a small portion of the almost daily challenges that I faced. Ultimately, Mr. Locey’s inappropriate, demeaning behavior forced me to find new legal representation to ensure adequate legal representation. A complete list of additional violations and their substantiating documents are available upon request. Rule 1.1: Competence Mr. Locey filed a motion that contained unsubstantiated and inflammatory acquisitions that were based on his opinion. The motion was submitted after I had instructed him to remove them from a draft that I reviewed. The motion, which was later removed portrayed me as a trained killer who targeted his wife for elimination. a. “Father’s shocking behavior during litigation has an explanation that does not require Dr. Lane’s evaluation. As the Court is aware, Father is 23-year veteran of the U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy who served several combat tours in Afghanistan. He has been trained, and is an expert in, assessing threats, and then neutralizing threats by any means necessary, without reflection, without remorse. Unfortunately, it appears that, in litigation, by seeking to “take away” his children and his family, Mother made herself a “threat” to Father, consciously and subconsciously, and he reacted as he was trained, and learned through experience, to do – to neutralize the perceived threat to his children, by any means necessary.” Mr. Locey was demeaning, argumentative, and adversarial toward me on numerous occasions. His emails and phone calls were inappropriate and unprofessional in nature. For example, when negotiating a settlement offer for equity and distribution Mr. Locey was sarcastic, condescending, and even insinuated that I suffered from a learning disability. b. “You are a smart man. You know how to read. You certainly know how to speak up for yourself and ask a question if something is confusing or you do not understand. And this exact issue was one we had already discussed, so there was no way it could be confusing to you the second time unless you have some sort of learning disability you have not disclosed, or else you did not read what I sent to you. Either way, I instructed you to tell me your thoughts, which requires you to read what I sent. Either you hid from me a learning disability, or you did not do what I asked you to do (or you are making this all up, which I suppose, is a third option). None of those are my responsibility.” Mr. Locey used the threat of seeing my children in the future to push his own opinions and narratives. On numerous occasions he used statements like, “If you ever want to see your children again” to influence me into making decisions contrary to my desires. a. “If you want to ask for this, the only hope is to do it with a tone that is the equivalent of begging, on your knees, for her to help you, and by extension, the kids, by agreeing to direct communication.” b. “if you want to see your kids as much as possible and as soon as possible, you really need to appear to be a sweet, happy, cooperative guy. You should be looking for ways to bend over backward to help out Liz.”

Ive had 5 or 6 Attorneys in my lifetime and I feel that Chris is honestly the best one I've had. I say this because when I signed the retainer agreement he actually included literature that explained exactly how I as the client can help keep cost down. Further more, when I was forced to discontinue w...ith Chris due to an unfortunate conflict of interest (my wife had already consulted with his office partner - sort of (she didn't show up for actual appointment but had talked to him on the phone)), but once we went our separate ways he actually gave me back almost all of my retainer even though he had already done a substantial amount of work, time and effort. Couple this with the fact that he was extremely responsive to my every single email, phone call, and was also very patient and knowledgeable. I cant tell you how upset I was when I could not keep working with him, but I can tell you that the next time I need an attorney, I will approach him again. Very reasonable priced and he seems very honest - which I have never ever said that about an Attorney before in my life.