John Cole Gayle, Jr.
  • The Consumer Law Group, P.C.
  • 1508 Willow Lawn Drive, Suite 220 Richmond, VA 23230
  • 804-282-7900

A lifelong resident of Virginia, John Cole Gayle, Jr. attended Hampden Sydney College. After graduating cum laude with a B.A. in 1976, John attended T.C. Williams Law School at the University of Richmond, where he won the Barnett Moot Court Competition and was a member of the school's National Moot Court team. He passed the Virginia Bar in 1979.

As a young attorney, John began working for the legal concerns of everyday people, quickly discovering that many laws left those who needed legal help the most with little legal recourse against wealthy corporate defendants.

John founded his law firm, The Consumer Law Group, P.C. of Richmond, Virginia, in 2003.  He is a nationally known expert on Consumer Law.  He has concentrated his practice in consumer law for over 40 years.  His practice primarily involves the Lemon Law, fraudulent contracts, consumer credit problems, debt problems, and he has an active Fair Debt Collection Practices Act practice as well.

John is the author of the 1988, 1990, and 1998 legislative amendments of the Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act (Virginia's Lemon Law).  He has written articles on Virginia's Lemon Law for various periodicals and testified before the Virginia General Assembly Subcommitees on the Lemon Law and the Virginia Consumer Protection Act.   He is also a frequent teacher for continuing legal education programs on consumer law, lemon law, and litigation for the Virginia CLE, he has lectured on miscellaneous automobile issues at both National Consumer Law Center conference and the National Association of Consumer Advocates (NACA) conferences.  He has also appeared on local and national TV and radio programs on numerous occasions and appeared on ABC World News Tonight regarding the problems with arbitration agreements in a news piece entitled, "The Fine Print", he has also appeared on America Now.

He is chair of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association Legislative Subcommittee on Consumer Law and is the immediate past State Chair of Virginia for the National Association of Consumer Advocates.  He is a past vestryman of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, where he facilitates adult Christian education classes and is on the Outreach and Adult Christian Education Committees.  He enjoys all outdoor activities, including tennis, squash, (his wife will no longer let him ride bikes), and hiking.  He is married to Lora Lenhart Gayle, has two children, Lia and Cole, and 2 dogs - Anna and Ranger.

Education:

  • 1976-1979 T. C. Williams School of Law
  • University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia
  • Honors: Winner, Barnett Moot Court Competition
  • National Moot Court Team
  • Author of Law Review Article accepted for publication
  • 1976 Hampden-Sydney College, cum laude; B.A. History

Professional Honors & Activities:

  • Past Chairman Legislation Committee For Consumer Law Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
  • National Association Of Consumer Advocates. 1999 - present. State Coordinator for Virginia. NACA is an association of about 700 consumer attorneys and advocates whose purpose is to provide technical assistance to its members and to serve as a voice for consumers in the cause of consumer rights and protection.

Publications:

  • February 25, 2005 - appeared on ABC World News Tonight with Peter Jennings and commented arbitration clauses in consumer contracts
  • Legal advisor on Virginia's lemon law to the Chairman of the General Laws Committee of the Virginia House of Delegates and primary author of the 1988 and 1990, Amendments to the Virginia Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act, §59.1-207 - 207.16 et seq. Code of Virginia (1950).
  • Virginia's Lemon Law: More Bark Than Bite?, Virginia Bar News.
  • Virginia's Lemon Law: Dealing With The Sour Aftertaste, Virginia Bar News.
  • How To Evaluate A Claim Under Virginia's Lemon Law, The Journal, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association.

Bar Admissions:

  • Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
  • Virginia State Bar Association; Virginia Trial Lawyer Association; Henrico County Bar Association; Richmond Trial Lawyer Association; former member of the Virginia Creditors Bar Association

Court Admissions:

  • Admitted to practice in 1979
  • Admitted to practice: The Supreme Court Of Virginia; United States Court Of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit; United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia ; United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia; United States Bankruptcy Court

Community Activities:

  • St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
  • Adult Christian Education Committee at St. Stephens
  • Past vestry at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church