OVERVIEW
Business litigation attorney Tony Tootell represents clients in complex contract and business tort matters, including construction and manufacturing disputes, real estate conflicts and regulatory and tariff-related issues.
He is widely recognized for his work in renewable and alternative energy dispute resolution and litigation, representing clients in federal and state courts nationwide, as well as in national and international arbitration forums. Tony’s trial experience includes bench trials involving option contracts, environmental indemnity claims and land use disputes.A significant portion of Tony’s practice has included utility-scale solar project disputes, particularly those arising from EPC agreements. His experience spans matters involving power purchase agreements, performance standards, project delays, liquidated damages, change orders, permitting challenges and force majeure claims.
- Litigation
- Commercial and Construction
University of Southern California Law School, J.D.
University of Southern California, B.A.
- Advised a publicly traded, international manufacturer of solar modules and developer of large, utility-scale solar projects on litigation, arbitration, and strategic risk matters
- Represented a fuel cell engine developer in an international arbitration and related bankruptcy proceeding against a foreign counterparty arising from alleged breach of contract
- Defended a solar power generator in multidistrict litigation arising out of Winter Storm Uri in Texas
- Represented the purchaser of a natural gas–fired power plant in litigation against the seller involving alleged breaches of contract, representations, and warranties
- Represented a contractor in a dispute concerning a 10-year overhaul of one of the world’s largest hydroelectric pumped storage power facilities
- Advised the jointly represented seller and purchaser of a solar project in negotiating a favorable resolution of a US$1 million contractor claim
- Assisted a solar energy developer in negotiating the settlement of eight related construction disputes involving utility-scale solar projects in North Carolina, arising from systemic and catastrophic performance and delay issues in international arbitration
- Handled disputes involving claims of systemic defects in solar modules supplied for a US$275 million utility-scale solar project, asserted by a solar developer and construction company
- Obtained dismissal of breach of contract claims asserted against a solar energy client in connection with a large-scale solar development
- Represents solar energy clients in disputes arising from long-term supply agreements, including inverter supply disputes involving multiple projects across two states
- Advised solar energy clients on land use and permitting issues, including conditional use permits for a solar project in Idaho and zoning challenges related to solar farm development in Connecticut
- Advised renewable energy clients on the impact of the Puerto Rico bankruptcy proceedings on pending renewable energy projects in the territory
Association of Business Trial Lawyers’ Board of Governors (2019-2023)
Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association
Member, American Bar Association
Los Angeles Business Journal, Top 100 Lawyers (2025)
Southern California Super Lawyers – Rising Stars (2013-2014)