Anthony J. Fantauzzi III, Esq.

Anthony is a partner at Johnson Newlon & DeCort, P.A., where he maintains a broad-based practice spanning commercial and business litigation, real estate, sports and entertainment law, professional liability, casualty defense, defamation, and general civil litigation. He regularly serves as outside general counsel to privately held and corporate clients, providing strategic guidance on both litigation and day-to-day business matters.

Anthony also represents professional athletes, celebrities, and entertainers, advising on legal issues unique to high-profile individuals and industries. He has significant experience counseling clients navigating media exposure and public scrutiny, and has been quoted in national outlets including MSNBC and The Washington Post.

His practice includes representation in arbitration and litigation, administrative investigations, and proceedings before state regulatory agencies and private governing bodies, including Major League Baseball (MLB) and the National Football League (NFL). Anthony has litigated matters in state, federal, and appellate courts throughout Florida.

Anthony is rated “AV Preeminent” by Martindale-Hubbell—the organization’s highest distinction for professional excellence and ethical standards. He has been recognized as a Super Lawyer and was previously selected as a Super Lawyers “Rising Star.” He has been named among Florida Trend Magazine’s “Legal Elite” and has been included in “America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators” since 2020.

He is also a Life Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, reflecting multiple million-dollar recoveries on behalf of clients. Anthony holds Martindale-Hubbell® Client Champion Platinum status and is a past recipient of the AVVO Client Choice Award.

Beyond his legal practice, Anthony is active in both the legal and local communities. He previously served on the Board of Directors for the American Diabetes Association and was a member of the Producers Board for the Straz Center for the Performing Arts.

Education

• University of Miami School of Law
  J.D., 1999
  Amicus Curiae, Staff Writer
  Res Ipsa Loquitor, Staff Writer
• Union College (1996)
  B.A., magna cum laude, Sociology & Economics, 1996
  Intercollegiate Varsity Football
  Delta Upsilon (Social Fraternity)
  Omicron Delta Epsilon (International Economic Honor Society)
  Alpha Kappa Delta (International Sociology Honor Society)
  Roger Thayer Stone Award winner
  Union College’s Rhodes Scholar candidate (1995)

Admissions

• The Florida Bar
• U.S. District Court, Southern, Middle, and Northern Districts of Florida

Experience

• Fowler White Boggs Banker, P.A.
• Shutts & Bowen, LLP
• The Fantauzzi Law Firm, P.A.

Involvement

• Hillsborough County Bar Association (2002-Present); Law Week Committee Co-Chair (2003 – 2007); Officer and YLD Board Member (2007–2009); President, YLD Board (2009–2010); Small and Solo Section Co-Chair (2010-2013); 13th Judicial Circuit Bench/Bar Committee (2011–2014); Officer, Board of Directors (2013–2014).
• The Reece Smith Litigation Inn of Court (2016-Present); Board of Directors (2023-Present); VP/President Elect (2027-2028); President (2028-2029)
• The Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of the State of Florida Master Mason Member, PTF United Masonic Lodge #153 (2014-Present)
• Egypt Shriners (2025-Present)
• National Italian American Bar Association (2019-2024)
• The Florida Bar Member and Chair, Grievance Committee (13D) (2006-2009)
• Tampa Connection Class of 2008
• Tampa Bay Inn of Court