Biography

Tony is a member of the firm's Energy and Utilities Practice Group. He creates solutions to businesses’ energy problems, including the challenge of high-energy costs. Tony has been a key player in Maine and New England on energy and infrastructure issues for decades, playing an important role in every major piece of energy legislation in Maine in the last 30 years as well as being involved in the formation of ISO-NE. In recent years, Tony has focused on overcoming challenges to infrastructure development in New England, both fixed and network in nature.

Prior to joining Preti Flaherty, Tony served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army (Armor) and worked for future U.S. Senate Majority Leader George J. Mitchell. After law school, he co-founded the Energy Law Institute in Concord, New Hampshire, the nation's first renewable energy think tank. The Institute served the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of the Navy, the National Conference of State Legislatures and others in developing state and federal policies to encourage renewable energy. Tony then served as law clerk to the Honorable Hugh H. Bownes of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Boston. Tony joined Preti Flaherty after completing his clerkship in 1980.

Professional Activities

  • Maine State Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
    • Energy and Natural Resources of Natural Law, Member

Honors & Recognition

  • Listed in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business
  • Listed in New England Super Lawyers in the field of Energy & Resources
  • Listed in Woodward/White's The Best Lawyers in America since 1988

Civic and Charitable Activities

  • The Maine Legal Needs Study, Executive Committee
  • Pine Tree Legal Services, Inc., former Director
  • Maine Bar Foundation, former Director
  • Connect ME, a Maine telecom and broadband initiative, former Chair, 2006
  • Commission on Maine's Future, Vice-Chair, 1988-1990
  • Portland Ballet, former Director
  • John Kerry for President, Finance Chair, 2004
  • Democracy Maine, Director
  • High School Hockey Coach, 2003

Publications

  • Co-Author of Federal and State Legal and Institutional Obstacles to the Development of Small Scale Hydroelectric Projects. (US DOE)

Firm Highlights

Publication

USCIS Announces H-1B Registration Period for FY2025: New “Beneficiary Centric” Registration Process and Increased Fees

USCIS has recently announced a series of changes that will impact the FY2025 H-1B registration system and cap filing season. H-1B Registration Period and Organizational Accounts As in prior years, under this process, prospective petitioners...

Event

Hire Education: Best Practices for Onboarding New Employees

As an HR professional, hiring the right talent, addressing employee needs, and managing terminations are just a few of the most challenging problems that arise. During this year's three-part Employment Breakfast Webinar Series, we'll...

News

Benchmark Litigation Names Preti Flaherty 2024 “Maine Firm of the Year"

Benchmark Litigation has named Preti Flaherty as 2024 Litigation Firm of the Year in the State of Maine. Through extensive peer- and- client reviewed research, as well as analysis of casework; the Benchmark Awards...

Publication

Important Updates to American Arbitration Association Construction Industry Rules and Mediation Procedures

The American Arbitration Association (AAA) updated its Construction Industry Rules and Mediation procedures (AAA Rules), effective March 1, 2024, marking the first update since 2015. The updates are important because the AAA Rules are...

Publication

Helping Employers Navigate the New Independent Contractor Rule and Compliance Challenges

On March 11 th , the United States Department of Labor’s (DOL) new Independent Contractor Rule goes into effect.  As your organization readies itself for compliance, it’s imperative to scrutinize your independent contractor classifications...

News

Attorney Jeffrey Thaler Named to 2024 Lawdragon Green 500: Leaders in Energy Law

Preti Flaherty’s attorney Jeffrey Thaler has been recognized by  Lawdragon  as one of the top 500 Leaders in Energy Law. This is Jeff’s third time named to this prestigious list since the first publication...

Publication

Failure to Follow Your Contract's Notice Requirements Can be Costly

In Kinetic Systems, Inc. v. IPS-Integrated Projects Services, LLC et. al., No.: 20-cv-1125 (D.N.H. February 6, 2024), the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire granted summary judgment for a general contractor...

Event

Sigmund Schutz to moderate panel at 36th Annual Media and the Law Seminar: Under Attack! Existential Threats to Journalism and Free Speech

From unlawful searches and seizures of newsrooms and highly contentious litigation to physical harassment and calls for violence online, journalists and news organizations are under attack like never before. At the 36 th Annual...

Event

Legal Foundations Lunch and Learn Series: Understanding Indemnity Clauses

Our Legal Foundations Lunch and Learn Series features monthly 30-minute webinars that provide in-depth insights into recent updates, industry trends, and key issues impacting the construction industry. Preti Flaherty attorneys Kenneth Rubinstein and Nicholas...

News

Preti Attorneys File Suit Against Al-Generated Robocalls in the 2024 NH Presidential Primary

Representing the League of Women Voters of New Hampshire, the League of Women Voters of the United States, and individual voters, Preti Flaherty, with co-counsel, filed a federal lawsuit against Steve Kramer, Lingo Telecom...