Thomas Anthony Swafford

Tony’s practice is focused on complex litigation, government investigations and regulatory matters.  He represents both private and publicly held companies, municipalities and non-profits in litigation involving intellectual property claims, securities and shareholder disputes, white collar criminal defense, unfair competition, class and collective actions, employment and non-compete disputes, and breach of contract claims.  Tony has successfully tried cases to verdict in state and federal courts, and with arbitrators, across the country.  He has also defended government investigations in the following areas:  False Claims, Health Care Fraud, Consumer Protection, Bank Fraud, Securities Fraud, Intellectual Property and Computer Crimes, Environmental Crimes, Mail and Wire Fraud,  Tax Violations, Immigration and Employment Law Violations involving civil and/or criminal penalties.

Tony also has extensive experience in regulatory matters with a number of state and federal agencies including the Department of Transportation (FMCSA, FRA, FAA), Department of Labor (EEOC, NLRB, WHD, OSHA), Department of Health and Human Services (CMS), Department of Homeland Security (ICE), National Labor Relations Board,  and the Environmental Protection Agency.  His DOT experience includes representation of motor carriers before FMCSA and providing regulatory advice in matters involving registration, compliance, safety, environmental, wage/hour and employment issues.  He headed a team handling a nationwide class action involving a dispute in regulatory guidance between DOT and DOL in a matter pertaining to safety and health issues in the motor carrier industry.  Tony’s ability to navigate a remedy through regulatory and governmental relations avenues allowed his client to reach a favorable resolution of an agency enforcement action and class action litigation.  He was also lead counsel in a nationwide collective action under the Fair Labor Standards Act involving the Motor Carrier Act exemption.

Tony is a member of the Litigation Counsel of America (Fellow), the Association of Transportation Law and Policy (Membership Chair), the American Bar Association (White Collar Committee), the Transportation Lawyers Association, the Tennessee Bar Association, the Nashville Bar Association (Federal Courts Committee), the Williamson County Bar Association and the John Marshall Inns of Court.  He has been listed as a top attorney for multiple years in Chambers and Best Lawyers and has been named as one of American’s Top Bet-the-Company litigators for the state of Tennessee.

In addition to his legal practice, Tony is the Executive Director of Sonrise Foundation, a  501©(3) he founded in 2018 to provide opportunities for underserved Tennessee youth.  The foundation currently offers an advocacy program and educational opportunities for students in the Middle Tennessee area.  Sonrise also partners with other non-profits with similar missions.