Mr. Gastner joined the firm after graduating from the George Mason University School of Law.  Prior to attending George Mason, Mr. Gastner earned his undergraduate degree from James Madison University, receiving a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Computer Information Systems with a minor in Computer Science

Mr. Gastner first gained an interest in telecommunications while employed with Sprint (now “Sprint-Nextel”).  Working as a software engineer, he gained a deep understanding of the telecommunications industry through the design, programming, and testing of numerous software-development projects for one of the world’s largest telecommunications companies.

After leaving Sprint, Mr. Gastner worked as an independent information-technology consultant and software developer.  He provided consulting services for several notable clients—including Wells Fargo Bank’s Home Mortgage Division, the Supreme Court of Virginia, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations.

After working successfully for several years in the field of information technology, Mr. Gastner decided to return to school and pursue a law degree, focusing his legal education on business and regulatory law.

During law school, Mr. Gastner gained a thorough understanding of the federal regulatory process while working as an intern with United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  During this internship, he gained hands-on experience with the federal rule-making process while assisting the attorneys of the SEC’s Division of Corporate Finance with the researching and drafting of regulations implementing the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

Mr. Gastner also served an intern with the law firm Reed Smith LLP during law school.  During his time with Reed Smith, he performed extensive research and worked closely with one of the firm’s partners to develop the firm’s commercial arbitration practice.

After law school, Mr. Gastner served for one year as a judicial law clerk for the Arlington County Circuit Court.  Assisting the Circuit Court’s judges, he performed legal research, drafted legal opinions and bench memoranda, provided analysis of legal arguments for civil trials and motions, and managed the Circuit Court’s civil motions docket.  Through his judicial clerkship, Mr. Gastner was involved in a broad spectrum of law and gained a great deal of insight into the litigation process.

Mr. Gastner is admitted to the Bar in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the District of Columbia.  He is an active member of the Fairfax County Bar Association, Arlington County Bar Association, and the Federal Communications Bar Association.