A litigation shareholder in our Walnut Creek Office, Tony Leones has more than twelve years of experience successfully representing Fortune 500 companies, corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, media and advertising companies, developers, property owners, commercial lessors and lessees, retailers, financial institutions and construction companies before administrative agencies and state and federal courts.
He has successfully handled a wide range of litigation and land use matters for his clients, with an emphasis in eminent domain/inverse condemnation; commercial lease disputes; zoning, planning, permitting, regulatory and code compliance matters; environmental litigation; easements; public works bidding and contract disputes; water and riparian rights; and general business and commercial litigation.
EDUCATION
Tony received his J.D. from the University of Pacific McGeorge School of Law in 1996, where he was a member of the International Moot Court Honors Board and received Honors in Trial and Oral Advocacy. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis in 1993.
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ASSOCIATIONS
Tony is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. He is a member of the State Bar of California, Contra Costa County Bar Association and the Outdoor Advertising Association of America.
He co-authored "All Wet; U.S. Supreme Court Sends Migratory Bird Rule South, California Real Estate Journal, March, 2001," as well as several articles for Outdoor Advertising Magazine.
REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS
Litigation
Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority Eminent Domain Matters
Represented Viacom Outdoor Inc. in several eminent domain actions in connection with the Alameda corridor project, linking the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles to the transcontinental rail network near downtown Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Unified School District Eminent Domain Matters
Represented Viacom Outdoor Inc. in several eminent domain actions related to the largest school construction building program in the Los Angeles School district’s history.
California Department of Transportation v. Amato, et al.
Represented Infinity Outdoor, Inc. in an eminent domain action against the California Department of Transportation (“CalTrans”) in which CalTrans agreed to pay Infinity Outdoor over $2.5 million for the taking of a billboard sign as part of the reconfiguration and widening of the I-5/I-805 interchange in San Diego County. This is believed to be the largest condemnation payment ever made in the state of California for a single billboard sign.
Reudy (ADS) v. CBS Corp., et. al
Tony represented a corporate vice president of CBS Outdoor Inc. in federal court against antitrust violations, claims of intentional interference with prospective economic advantage and public and private nuisance related to alleged planning code violations. Tony successfully brought a motion to dismiss on grounds that a Release and Covenant not to Sue barred the entire action. The judgment was appealed by the Plaintiff and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the district court's decision in favor of our client.
D&K Painting and Construction v. City of San Jose
Represented general contractor against the City of San Jose in connection with a public contract to remodel a fire station. Claims against the City included breach of contract, breach of express and implied warranty, negligent misrepresentation and breach of covenant of good faith relating to the City's construction delay. Our client's claims were settled at mediation.
Scully v. Barsky
Tony represented the downstream property owner in a dispute with the upstream property owner regarding riparian, appropriative and permitted water rights to a spring and stream. Following the filing of an anti-SLAPP motion against the opposing party, the action was favorably resolved.
Land Use
Turner Broadcasting System Inc.
Represented Turner Broadcasting System Inc. (“TBS”) in response to the City of San Francisco’s alleged Building Code, Planning Code and Electrical Code violations related to TBS’s advertising campaign for the Aqua Teen Hunger Force animated television series on Cartoon Network, and the full length movie. Tony successfully negotiated a resolution with the City of San Francisco.
Central Self Storage
Represented Central Self Storage in obtaining approval for signage at its new facility in Corte Madera. Successfully handled Central Self Storage’s appeal of Corte Madera’s denial of a sign permit application before the Planning Commission, arguing that the permit application is consistent with the Zoning Ordinance, Specific Plan and prior decisions of the Planning Commission.
CBS Outdoor, Inc.
Represented CBS Outdoor Inc. in connection with its Advertising Transit Shelter Agreement with the City and County of San Francisco and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. The matter, which was successfully resolved, involved Public Contract, Planning Code and valuation issues.
