Tony combines elements of his corporate and litigation practices to offer specialty defense and counsel in matters involving alcoholic beverage law. A former deputy attorney general assigned to the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, Tony has represented licensees at every level of New Jersey’s three-tier system in corporate and business matters as well as a wide range of litigation—spanning license acquisition/sale, regulatory compliance, contract disputes, defense of disciplinary actions, challenging proposed legislation, and seeking changes to existing laws. His clients include restaurants, liquor stores, wholesalers, and other businesses involved in the manufacture, distribution, and sale of alcoholic beverages. Representative matters include:

• Successfully closing millions of dollars in liquor license purchase/sale transactions
• Securing the transfer of liquor licenses over the objections of competitors, municipalities, and property owners
• Representing an alcoholic beverage producer in litigation relating to a shareholder buyout and the dissolution of a business venture
• Coordinating with developers, landlords, and licensees in the construction and licensing of restaurants

With a detailed understanding of corporate and tax issues, Tony’s insurance practice involves representing insurers in premium collection actions, prosecuting civil insurance fraud claims, and defending bad faith claims. Much of Tony’s work representing insurers or parties in ownership and contract disputes involves detailed forensic analysis of business and tax records. Representative matters include:

• Successfully recovering millions of dollars in lost premium
• Successfully resolving breach of contract claims
• Securing the dismissal of bad faith claims
• Conducting internal investigations related to alleged regulatory violations and employee dishonesty claims

A versatile counselor to domestic and international businesses in many industries, Tony is equally adept at providing guidance on complex issues of business law and handling litigation involving commercial disputes, intellectual property, shareholders’ issues, and more. Representative matters include:

• Representing purchasers in acquisitions of retail and manufacturing companies and business assets
• Serving as outside general counsel to consumer goods and construction manufacturing companies
• Securing the dismissal of a minority shareholder oppression lawsuit
• Negotiating business, employment, and intellectual property licensing agreements for clients working in the pharmaceutical, data management, and software industries