Anthony E. Bush princeton

Anthony E. Bush

Member

Overview

Tony Bush has substantial commercial litigation and regulatory experience with an emphasis on issues affecting the automotive industry. His clients include operators of wholesale motor vehicle auctions, auto dealerships, finance companies, floor plan lenders, wholesale auto parts distributors,  lessors, and auto body repair facilities. Tony represents clients in corporate and consumer litigation including class actions, regulatory compliance,  business counseling, employment matters, land use matters and franchise disputes, before the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, Division of Consumer Affairs, and in legislative and regulatory issues that impact the automotive industry.

Tony served as a judicial clerk to the Honorable Leo Yanoff, Judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Essex County.

Representative Matters

  • Successfully recovered tens of millions of dollars in assets and cash on behalf of creditors and lessors in dozens of cases in state and federal courts by way of orders to show cause with temporary restraints pending prejudgment orders of replevin or seizure.
  • Obtained summary judgment on behalf of wholesale auto auction dismissing Consumer Fraud Act claims because the court found the act (i) does not apply to wholesale transactions occurring at an auction and (ii) was barred by the hold harmless and indemnity provisions of the parties’ agreement.
  • Successfully facilitated release of millions of dollars of assets (primarily luxury vehicles) seized by various federal and state agencies from innocent property owners.    
  • Obtained summary judgment in numerous matters based upon findings that the Federal Communications Decency Act grants complete immunity to interactive computer service providers.    In several matters the client was an online listing service sued by a buyer where a seller allegedly perpetrated a fraud and in the others a transporter for hire online platform connecting transporters and vehicle shippers.
  • Represent automobile dealerships, lessors and driving schools on suspension and termination matters before the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.
  • Obtained through two separate applications municipal approvals for installation of rooftop, detention basin, and carport-based solar panels. The combined production of energy equates to enough to power 12-15 typical homes.
  • Obtained summary judgment, which was reversed on appeal prior to prevailing at trial, in the only reported New Jersey decision interpreting an “as is” contract term.
  • Successfully represented manufacturer of fire apparatus in suit seeking permanent injunctive relief and damages under the Federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, misappropriation of trade secrets, and alleging tortious interference with prospective economic advantage.
  • Won a defense verdict at trial on behalf of wholesale vehicle auction defendant that it was entitled to inventory and proceeds in the possession of a car dealer that acquired vehicles from a debtor of auction because the transactions between the dealer and debtor did not occur in a commercially reasonable manner.
  • Successfully obtained relief from the automatic bankruptcy stay and then summary judgment on behalf of a creditor prior to recovering $225,000 in part by levying on funds held by a debtor’s criminal defense lawyer for his benefit in his attorney’s trust account.
  • Successfully represented purchaser of shopping center in suit seeking temporary restraints and specific performance compelling property owner to execute final agreed upon contract for sale and to convey property.
  • Provide regulatory business counseling to clients dealing with state motor vehicle, insurance and taxation agencies.
  • Provide general corporate counseling.

Spotlight:

Spotlight on . . . Tony Bush

Professional Affiliations

  • New Jersey State Bar Association
  • District of Columbia Bar Association
  • New Jersey Independent Auto Dealers Association, Board Member (February 2015-present)

Community Involvement

  • Lower Makefield Township (PA) Planning Commission, Member and four-time Chair (2006-2014, 2019-current)
  • Member Bucks County Free Library Board (2020-current) and Vice President (2022-2024)
  • Member of the endowment committee for a local religious organization
  • Successfully served as Campaign Chair for a Pennsylvania State Representative
  • Congregation Kol Emet, Executive Board Member, (June 2013 – June 2018)

Awards and Recognition:

  • Cited for contributing to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission’s Strategies for Excellence, September 2007.

News and Insights

Publications

Media Coverage

Speaking Engagements

  • “Mid-Year Review of Legislation that Can Impact your Dealership,” presented for the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, June 5, 2017.
  • “Dealing with Regulatory Challenges and Legislative Issues,” presenter at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Independent Automobile Dealers Association Conference, November 2016.
  • “Regulatory Compliance, Enforcement, and Legislative Trends that impact car dealers,” presented at the Middle Atlantic Region Independent Auto Dealers Association’s annual convention, September 2015.
  • “Mid-Year Review of New Jersey Legal Trends That Can Impact Your Dealership,” NJ Independent Auto Dealers Association Compliance Conference, June 2015.
  • “Compliance Enforcement, Focus and Trends,” Middle Atlantic Region Independent Auto Dealers Association’s annual convention, September 2014.
  Printable Bio

Princeton, New Jersey

P: 609.989.5056

M: 609.213.8701

F: 609.392.7956

abush@eckertseamans.com

vCard

Practice Areas:

State Admissions:

New Jersey

District of Columbia

Court Admissions:

U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey

Education:

J.D., Syracuse University College of Law, 1989

B.A., Syracuse University, 1986