Managing Partner
JAVIER A. CENTONZIO, Managing Partner, Javier Centonzio’s path to becoming an attorney was anything but conventional. After moving from Puerto Rico to Kansas City as a child, he left high school early to attend Job Corps, earned his GED, and enlisted in the Marine Corps as an Infantryman. Later, while serving in the Kansas Army National Guard, he experienced a profound loss when his close friend, Sgt. Jessie Davila, was killed in Iraq. This tragedy inspired Javier to pursue a legal career advocating for veterans.
While earning his B.A. in Political Science at Park University, Javier championed initiatives to support veterans, helping secure a $100,000 grant for transitioning service members. He continued this commitment at Stetson University College of Law, where he co-founded the Veterans Law Institute and established the Sgt. Jessie Davila Memorial Veterans Scholarship. His legal journey led him to serve as a Federal Judicial Law Clerk for Judge Robert N. Davis at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims before transitioning into private practice as a Veterans Disability Attorney, where he now represents veterans nationwide.
Beyond his legal career, Javier is deeply committed to education and community service. He has created multiple scholarships, including the Dr. Ron Brecke Veterans Scholarship at Park University and the Centonzio Family Military and Veteran Scholarship at the University of Kansas. He serves on the advisory board of the University of Kansas Veterans Law Clinic, is a board member of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Foundation (KCMBF), and holds the position of Vice-Chair of KCMBF's Military Matters program.
Javier is licensed to practice law in Florida, Washington, D.C., Kansas, and Missouri and is admitted before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC). He is an active member of the National Organization of Veterans Advocates and holds Life Memberships with the Marine Corps League, Disabled American Veterans, and the American Legion.
Outside of work, Javier enjoys golfing, traveling, watching documentaries, and spending time with his wife and four children. His unwavering dedication to veterans and his community continues to shape his professional and personal endeavors.
Education:
B.A. in Political Science and Legal Studies from Park University
,
Juris Doctorate from Stetson University College of Law
,
LLM in Elder Law from Stetson University College of Law
Certifications:
U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Bar Association
,
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
,
Florida Bar Association
,
District of Columbia Bar Association
,
National Organization of Veterans Advocates (NOVA)
,
Florida Bar Elder Law Section
,
Florida Bar Military Affairs
,
The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program
,
Marine Corps League, DAV, The American Legion
Services:
Local Regional Office
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Board of Veterans Appeals
,
U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
,
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
