About Leonard Anthony
Leonard A. Bellavia is a founding partner at Bellavia Blatt, P.C., a prominent law firm located in Mineola, New York. Since 1983, he has been practicing law in New York, focusing primarily on automotive franchise law. His firm represents many automobile dealerships across the country, addressing various legal matters that arise within the automotive industry. Mr. Bellavia's expertise in this niche area has made him a sought-after counsel for dealerships navigating complex legal fields. In 1982, Mr.
Bellavia earned his Juris Doctor from St. John's University School of Law — Prior to that, he completed his Bachelor of Science degree at Boston College in 1979. His educational background laid a strong foundation for his legal career, which has been heavily influenced by his family's longstanding involvement in the automobile business. Since the 1950s, his family has owned one of the largest dealer groups in the New York area. This gives invaluable insights into the automotive industry. Throughout his career, Mr. Bellavia has played a pivotal role in negotiating the sales of hundreds of dealerships.
His advocacy for the mass action litigation model has garnered him national recognition among franchised automobile dealers. Notably, he served as co-lead counsel in the high-profile Chrysler bankruptcy proceedings, which took place in 2009. Additionally, he has filed mass action lawsuits on behalf of hundreds of dealers against major companies such as TRUECar and CARFAX, demonstrating his commitment to protecting the interests of his clients. In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Bellavia has held several leadership positions that reflect his dedication to the field. He served as Chair of the Automotive Franchise Law Section of the Franchise Law Committee of the New York State Bar Association. Furthermore, he was the former Chairperson of the Litigation Section of the National Association of Dealer Counsel (NADC).
His expertise has also led to his endorsement by the Marine Retailers Association of America (MRAA), which recommends him as franchise counsel to over 5,000 marine dealers nationwide. Mr. Bellavia's contributions to the legal field have not gone unnoticed by his peers. He has been selected to Super Lawyers from 2008 to 2011 and again from 2014 to 2025, evidence of his standing in the legal community. In 2020, he was named to Long Island Business News' "Power 25" list, recognizing him as one of the most powerful attorneys in the region. Under his leadership, Bellavia Blatt, P.C. continues to serve as a leading law firm for businesses, offering comprehensive legal counsel in franchise and business law, with offices strategically located in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
