Anthony J. Mazzeo

Tony focuses his law practice primarily in government contracts, ship repair, construction, international business, and maritime law. Tony joined Woods Rogers in 2012 following a U.S. Navy career.

After commissioning as a naval officer upon graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy, Tony served on active duty for more than 23 years. He began his career as a surface warfare officer aboard Navy ships, then attended law school through the Navy’s highly selective Law Education Program and became a uniformed JAG attorney. He is a veteran of Operations Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. As a Navy JAG, Tony gained significant litigation experience, managed the Navy’s admiralty and maritime claims practice, 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.

Clients value Tony’s extensive experience and network in the Federal Government along with his insights that help clients to proactively recognize and resolve problems and guide their decisions. He has built a solid reputation in the Government Contracts industry, serving in leadership positions in the Virginia Ship Repair Association and being active with the Tidewater Association of Service Contractors and Tidewater Government-Industry Council. Tony represents general contractors, prime contractors, subcontractors, vendors, and manufacturers. He is experienced with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and agency regulations applicable to service, supply, ship repair, and construction contracts.

Tony is a skilled litigator, having represented clients in state and federal courts, and in arbitrations and mediations, as well as before Boards of Contract Appeals, the U.S. Government Accountability Office, Agency Suspension and Debarment proceedings, the U.S. Small Business Association’s Office of Hearings and Appeals, and other administrative and judicial forums.

Tony frequently advises both U.S. companies seeking to export overseas and foreign businesses seeking opportunities in the United States. He is the Firm’s lead as a Trade Partner in the Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s (VEDP) Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) Program, counseling businesses on export controls and compliance, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations, as well as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA); mitigating Foreign Ownership, Control, and Influence (FOCI) issues; and both facility and personnel security clearances.

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.

Government Contracts

• Prepared and pursued Federal bid protests for bidders and offerors, at the Agency level, in the Government Accountability Office, the Court of Federal Claims, the Small Business Administration Office of Hearings and Appeals, 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.
• Prepared, negotiated, mediated, and litigated claims for contract adjustment on behalf of companies against project owners and the federal government.
• Advised and assisted companies with application for certification by the Small Business Administration for the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, HUB Zone, 8(a), and Woman-Owned Small Business socio-economic programs.
• Defended both individuals and companies being considered for suspension and debarment from participation in government contracting (formerly Excluded Parties List System).

International Business & Trade

• Advised on registration, compliance, and investigations concerning the U.S. Department of State’s International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and U.S. Department of Commerce’s Export Administration Regulations (EAR).

Maritime

• Conducted investigations into vessel collisions, allisions, groundings, and afloat personal injuries. Litigated maritime and admiralty cases.

Recognition

Education

Florida State University College of Law, J.D., highest honors

United States Naval Academy, B.S.

Admissions

Virginia

District of Columbia

Florida

U.S. Court of Appeals, Armed Forces

U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit

U.S. Court of Federal Claims

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia

U.S. District Court, Western District of Virginia 

• American Bar Association
• Catholic High School, Chair, School Advisory Board
• Knights of Columbus
• Maritime Law Association of the United States
• Military Officers Association of America
• National Contract Management Association