Tony concentrates his law practice primarily in government contracts, ship repair, international, regulatory compliance, construction, and maritime law. He is licensed in Virginia, Washington D.C., and Florida. He joined Vandeventer Black in 2012 following a U.S. Navy career.
Tony was commissioned as a naval officer upon graduating from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. He served as a surface warfare officer then as a Navy JAG attorney for more than twenty years. He is a veteran of Operations Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. As a Navy Judge Advocate, Tony had significant litigation experience, managed the Department of the Navy’s admiralty and maritime litigation practice and claims, and held a number of staff judge advocate positions ashore, at sea, and overseas, functioning as a “legal problem solver” for Navy executives at every level from ship/squadron commanding officer to 4-star Fleet Commander.
His experience with the federal government and U.S. Navy enables him to offer unique advice in response to his clients’ legal needs. Tony’s background as a Navy JAG attorney provided insight into the Navy’s organization and processes that is helpful in his government contracts practice. He has represented clients in state and federal courts, and before Boards of Contract Appeals, the Government Accountability Office, Agency Suspension and Debarment Official proceedings, and other administrative and judicial forums. Additionally, Tony advises clients regarding export controls and compliance, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) administered by the Department of State and the Export Administration Regulations administered by the Department of Commerce.
He assists U.S. businesses seeking to export overseas and foreign businesses seeking opportunities in the United States, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA); Foreign Ownership, Control, and Influence (FOCI); and security clearances.
Although originally from New Jersey, Tony spent more than half of his Navy career in Hampton Roads. Additionally, he had Navy assignments in Rhode Island, Wisconsin, California, Hawaii, Florida, and Washington DC, as well as overseas in Bahrain and Italy.
Tony attended law school at the Florida State University College of Law under the Navy’s Law Education Program, graduating with Highest Honors and being inducted into the Order of the Coif. While in law school, he served as Law Review Articles Editor and completed an internship as law clerk to Federal Judge Robert Hinkle in the Northern District of Florida. Tony is active in the community serving on the Board of Advisors at Catholic High School and with the Knights of Columbus. He is the Vice Chair for Recruitment on the LEAD Hampton Roads Board of Trustees.
Representative Matters:
CLAIMS
- Prepared, negotiated, mediated, and litigated claims for contract adjustment on behalf of companies against project owners and the federal government.
LITIGATION
- Prosecuted and defended civil litigation matters in cases including business conspiracy, government contract protests, contractor claims, and contractor defense against subcontractors.
- After a 6-day trial in Virginia’s Fairfax Circuit Court, obtained judgment for an insurer client of the more than $4 million claimed plus attorney’s fees, under Virginia’s business conspiracy statute for amounts paid by the insurer in a complex, broad ranging conspiracy scheme.
- After a two-week trial in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (Norfolk), obtained judgment for a ship repair client against the U.S. Navy of more than $4 million for Government-responsible changes to the contract for which the Contracting Officer had denied payment on the Contractor’s Request for Equitable Adjustment.
BID PROTESTS
- Prepared and pursued Federal bid protests for bidders and offerors, at the Agency level, in the Government Accountability Office, the Small Business Administration, and in the FAA’s Office of Dispute Resolution for Acquisition. Intervened in protests to protect the interests of successful offerors in protests filed by other companies in the GAO and U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
REGULATORY
- Defended both individuals and companies being considered for suspension and debarment from participation in government contracting (formerly Excluded Parties List System).
- Advised and assisted companies with application for certification by the Small Business Administration and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Verification and Evaluation as Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses.
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS & TRADE
- Advised on registration and compliance with the U.S. Department of State’s International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and U.S. Department of Commerce’s Export Administration Regulations (EAR).