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Anthony Barron
Partner / Chair, Litigation Department
Introduction
Tony Barron represents clients in the construction and real estate development industry, primarily owners and contractors, in contract negotiations, project counseling and dispute resolution. Tony has a distinguished track record of trying cases to successful verdict in construction and other commercial disputes. Tony is a member of the firm’s Management Committee, which works with firm leaders to execute the strategic plan and oversee day-to-day operations.
Tony leads the firm’s Litigation department, which comprises various practice areas including Complex Disputes, Construction & Real Estate Litigation, Intellectual Property, Labor & Employment, Privacy and Technology, and Government Investigations & White Collar Defense.
My focus
I focus my practice on all facets of the construction and real estate development industry, both domestically and internationally, in addition to other complex commercial litigation matters. I value long-term client relationships. I look for opportunities to help clients succeed, not just in the specific matter I may be handling at the moment, but more broadly. I particularly enjoy the role of outside advisor.
Construction and Real Estate Development
- I represent owners and contractors from the inception of a project. I help them identify and reduce risk factors and maximize the opportunities for success through contract drafting and negotiation as well as proactive counseling.
- I apply my industry knowledge and thirty years of experience in resolving disputes, including claims based on delay, extra work, and construction defects. I handle these cases in state and federal court as well as domestic and international arbitrations. I frequently team with my colleagues at the firm in our real estate, labor and employment, and corporate areas to ensure that construction industry clients are being cross-served to their advantage.
- I handle significant matters on behalf of mid-sized to major industry players for both public and private projects in the United States and around the world. These range in size from smaller residential projects to large commercial projects in excess of $1 billion. My construction work covers a range of industries including hospitality, residential, higher education, energy, food and beverage, transportation, and health care.
- Recent project experience includes a $1.5-billion mixed use project in downtown San Francisco, a $100-million-plus utility grade solar project in Minnesota, a $300-million-plus research facility at a leading university medical center, a five-star hotel in the Rocky Mountains, a major remediation project at a national laboratory, and various museum-quality personal residences valued at from ten to fifty million dollars.
Commercial Litigation
I litigate complex commercial litigation and other high-stakes matters in a variety of industries—in addition to construction and real estate—including technology, financial services, and insurance. Sometimes I handle these cases from inception and frequently I am brought in closer to trial. As examples of the breadth of my practice, in recent years I have successfully resolved a high-stakes whistleblower action, a fraud/theft of intellectual property claim brought by a disappointed acquisition target, suits for malfeasance against officers and directors of a failed bank, and a commercial lease dispute involving one of the world’s preeminent asset managers.
Trials and Arbitrations
I have led numerous successful trial and arbitration teams, including winning the last ten straight that have gone to final verdict and award. These include:
- On behalf of an EPC contractor, defensed an owner claim for $60 million plus after a six-week arbitration hearing, and awarded $3.5 million in attorneys’ fees.
- Obtained a state court jury verdict for fraud against a public official, resulting in a multi-million-dollar settlement post-verdict.
- On behalf of a public works general contractor, defensed a subcontractor’s claim after bench trial, based on a licensing defense, and being awarded all attorneys’ fees sought.
- Obtained a significant net award, including attorneys’ fees, at the conclusion of a two-week bench trial in a case arising out of cross-claims between the two financial backers for a failed major condominium project.
- On behalf of a major property and casualty insurer, defensed a terminated broker’s breach of contract and fraud claims, and recovered all damages sought on the cross-complaint, plus attorneys’ fees, after a multi-week federal court jury trial.
- Defensed a subcontractor’s breach of contract claim after multi-week bench trial, awarded all attorneys’ fees sought, and sustained on appeal.
Looking ahead
Uncertainty reigns over the construction and real estate development industries and will for some time to come. Some sectors including health care, housing, and many forms of public works will thrive while others will need to dig in through a drought. In this environment, it will be paramount to proactively avoid legal disputes, but also to be positioned to prevail when disputes are unavoidable.
In the news
- Law360
Nixon Peabody bolsters IP team with deputy chief, laterals
Sep 27, 2024This article covers the appointment of Chicago partner Dan Schwartz as deputy leader of NP’s Intellectual Property practice as well as the recent arrivals of IPPG counsel Matt Zuziak of Washington, DC and Randy Alexander of Chicago. Dan is quoted in the coverage, discussing his new role and the recent growth of the Intellectual Property practice. Matt and Randy discuss what attracted them to NP. Litigation Department head Tony Barron and IPPG practice group leader Seth Levy are also quoted from NP’s press release.
- The American Lawyer
Nixon Peabody picks up 10 lawyers amid uptick in real estate disputes
June 27, 2023The following article covers the arrival of a prominent women-led Real Estate Litigation team in San Francisco. Led by partners Ashley Klein and Jeanne Grove, the team also includes partner Jaimie Bombard; counsel Morgan Cahill-Marsland, Laura Campbell, Lauren Jones, and Matthew Urdan; and department attorneys Stephanie Andersen, Alexandra Azad, and Lindsey Schmidt. The American Lawyer and Law360 articles also quote Litigation Department head Tony Barron and San Francisco Office Managing Partner Rob Weikert.
- Law360
Nixon Peabody hires women-led real estate team in California
June 27, 2023The following article covers the arrival of a prominent women-led Real Estate Litigation team in San Francisco. Led by partners Ashley Klein and Jeanne Grove, the team also includes partner Jaimie Bombard; counsel Morgan Cahill-Marsland, Laura Campbell, Lauren Jones, and Matthew Urdan; and department attorneys Stephanie Andersen, Alexandra Azad, and Lindsey Schmidt. The American Lawyer and Law360 articles also quote Litigation Department head Tony Barron and San Francisco Office Managing Partner Rob Weikert.
- Providence Business News
Nixon Peabody establishes construction and real estate litigation division
This article covering NP’s creation of a dedicated Construction & Real Estate Litigation practice quotes Providence partner and practice group leader Jeff Brenner on how our firm helps clients make a positive impact for their businesses and their communities. Litigation Department head Tony Barron is also quoted in the article.March 16, 2022 - Law360
Nixon Peabody launches new construction litigation group
The following article covers the creation of NP’s new Construction & Real Estate Litigation practice group, led by Providence partner Jeff Brenner. Jeff is extensively quoted in Providence Business First about the need for a dedicated practice group in this area and the uncertainties in the industry caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Both articles also include comments from Litigation Department Head Tony Barron of San Francisco.Feb 24, 2022 - Providence Business First
Providence lawyer to head new Nixon Peabody construction and real estate practice
The following article covers the creation of NP’s new Construction & Real Estate Litigation practice group, led by Providence partner Jeff Brenner. Jeff is extensively quoted in Providence Business First about the need for a dedicated practice group in this area and the uncertainties in the industry caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Both articles also include comments from Litigation Department Head Tony Barron of San Francisco.Feb 24, 2022 - Law360
Nixon Peabody names new white collar defense head
Boston partner Rob Fisher is profiled in this article covering his appointment as leader of the firm’s Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense practice. The article also quotes Litigation Department head Tony Barron related to Rob’s new role.Feb 17, 2022 - Law360
Law360 names attorneys who moved up the firm ranks in Q2
This article on notable partner-level promotions during Q2 includes the appointment of Providence Labor & Employment partner Stacie Collier to Chief Talent Officer. In addition, NP’s recent appointments to department heads and practice group leaders were included: San Francisco Complex Commercial Disputes partner Tony Barron as Litigation Department chair, Boston Private Equity & Investment Funds partner John Beals as Investment Funds practice group leader, Boston Corporate partner Chris Keefe as Business & Finance Department chair, Los Angeles Corporate partner Shahzad Malik as Tax team co-leader, Washington DC Community Development Finance partner Matt Mullen as Community Development Finance practice group leader, and Albany Private Equity partner Todd Tidgewell as Corporate practice group leader.Aug 18, 2021 - Bloomberg Law
Wake up call
This column of notable legal news includes San Francisco Complex Commercial Disputes partner Tony Barron’s promotion to leader of the firm’s Litigation Department.May 20, 2021 - Daily Journal
Corporate Counsel Q&A
The Jim Henson Co.’s executive vice president of business and legal affairs, is profiled in this Q&A. Noted among go-to outside counsel is Nixon Peabody. The team handling commercial litigation matters includes Tony Barron and John Chatowski.Feb 9, 2016 - The Recorder
Associates Are Doin' It for Themselves
San Francisco office managing partner Tony Barron provides commentary in this feature story about associates carving out niche practices.June 6, 2014 - San Francisco Business Times
Executive Profile
San Francisco office managing partner Tony Barron is profiled in this Q&A series featuring Bay Area business executives.Nov 29, 2013
Admitted to practice
California
Colorado
Education
UCLA School of Law, J.D.
Williams College, B.A., cum laude
Professional activities
- Member, ABA Forum on the Construction Industry
- Board Chair, Satellite Affordable Housing Associates
- Vice-Chair, Citizens’ Oversight Committee, Ross Valley School District Bond Program
Recognition
- Selected, through a peer-review survey, for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 in the field of Construction Law
- Named Best Lawyers® 2025 Construction Law “Lawyer of the Year” in San Francisco
- Listed in Best Lawyers since 2021
- Recognized for exceptional standing in the national legal community in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2024 for Construction (California)
- “Clients praise him as ‘a highly experienced litigator in the field,’ noting that he is ‘a great communicator who never loses sight of the big picture.’"
- Listed in Chambers for many years; described in prior editions as “very responsive and strategic,” “an excellent litigator and a flawless writer,” and “a construction expert.”
- “Anthony Barron’s commercial litigation practice at Nixon Peabody LLP is best known for successes in construction disputes. He is adept in negotiation, trial and arbitration and has masterminded a number of successful resolutions for clients…”
- Recognized as a “Super Lawyer” by the publishers of Northern California Super Lawyers magazine for consecutive years since 2009 (inclusion in Super Lawyers is based on a peer-review survey)
- Recommended in The Legal 500 United States 2024 editorial for Real estate—Construction (including construction litigation); also recognized in previous years
Insights And Happenings
View AllProfessionals in the Practice Area
View AllJeffrey S. Brenner
Partner / Practice Group Leader, Construction & Real Estate Litigation- Providence
- Office:+1 401.454.1042
- jbrenner@nixonpeabody.com
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Vernon W. Johnson, III
Partner
Deputy Leader, Construction & Real Estate Litigation- Washington DC
- Office:+1 202.585.8401
- vjohnson@nixonpeabody.com
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Armando E. Batastini
Partner / Office Managing Partner, Providence- Providence
- Office:+1 401.454.1015
- abatastini@nixonpeabody.com
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