Brian handles the veterans’ disability claims in our firm. He is a native Floridian. He is also a Vietnam Veteran. He served as a helicopter pilot for the Navy in the Gulf of Tonkin doing SAR missions. Brian is married to Carol Ponton. They have five children and ten grandchildren.
Brian became involved in veterans’ claims shortly after Congress changed the law in 1988 to allow lawyers to work with veterans. He has been a member of the Court of Appeals of Veterans Claims since 1993. With the change in the veterans law that occurred in December 2006, he is now able to represent veterans at the Regional Office level.
He has represented both injured plaintiffs and defendants in all types of aviation matters in Florida and across the country. He has been listed as a member of the Million Dollar Advocate Forum and as a Florida Super Lawyer.
Practice Areas
- Veterans Disability Law
- Aviation Accident Law
Awards
- Phi Beta Kappa, University of Florida, 1969
- Order of Coif, University of Florida Law School, 1974
Education
- University of Florida, BA 1969
- University of Florida, J.D
Bar Association Memberships
- Volusia County Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Court of Appeals of Veterans Claims Bar Association
Bar Admissions
- Florida Bar Association
- U.S. Distrist Court, Southern District, Florida
- U.S. District Court, Middle District, Florida
- Court of Appeals of Veterans Claims
- U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
Prior Employment
- U.S. Navy, Naval Aviator
- Attorney, Maguire, Voorhis & Wells, Orlando, Florida
- Partner, Swann and Haddock, P.A., Orlando
- Principal Attorney, Taraska, Hill & Growner, P.A.
