Focused on Clients’ Marine and Inland Marine Interests

The two most important questions to ask immediately after any casualty are "What happened?" and "How did it happen?" Gathering the facts needed to answer these two questions fully and completely is of critical importance. These facts provide the framework for our client's case. Because of our years of experience at sea, on the docks, and in shipyards, we understand your industry and your issues. Because of our years of experience in the courtroom, we know the questions to ask, and how we can help.

Focus on Cargo and Hull & Machinery

For decades, our maritime lawyers have represented shippers, subrogated underwriters and common carriers in litigation and arbitrations over loss or damage to virtually every commodity imaginable, from bulk ferrochrome ore and cold-rolled steel coils to pluots and grain, from cellphones and LCD televisions to heart monitors and ekg machines, from lapping machines to power generators to yachts, throughout the US and abroad. Likewise we have been involved on all sides of numerous contract/private carriage and charterparty claims.

We also bring to bear our deep mechanical engineering and technical experience representing vessel interests, terminal operators, stevedores, marinas, shipyards, marine equipment and component manufacturers, and other stakeholders in claims resulting from system failures, product defects, design failures, fires, collisions, groundings, and all manner of marine and dockside casualties. 

Focus on P&I and MGL

From the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of Alaska, we defend vessel interests in crewmember Maintenance & Cure, personal injury and wrongful death claims resulting from at-sea casualties aboard all types of vessels, including fishing vessels, passenger and charter vessels. We also defend shipyards, marinas, and marine terminal operators in injury claims. 

Focus on Marine Insurance

We advise interested underwriters in first- and third-party insurance coverage questions, and represent underwriters in claims running the gamut of coverage litigation, from declaratory judgment actions to bad faith suits to intercompany arbitrations.

Focus on Results

We have the experience to know that we do not always have all the answers. Fortunately, if we do not have the answer, someone in our firm will. We often draw on the deep experience of the transactional, finance and regulatory sections of the firm to provide our clients with thorough representation in all relevant areas of law.