THE FIRM This international law firm has a formidable track record in maritime litigation. With one of the largest marine practices in the USA, it can mobilize attorneys with a wide range of specializations to serve a global client base. The team acts for a substantial number of insurers, such as Steamship Mutual Insurance Services and UK P&I Club, as well as shipowners, charterers, cargo interests and oil and gas companies. The firm's cases are international and varied, and include contract and charter party disputes, cargo and salvage claims, enforcement of arbitration awards, major casualty litigation and insurance litigation.
Client Service "The team really offers a wide range of services."
Commercial Awareness "The group is excellent for complicated and difficult litigation where there's a lot of money at stake."
KEY INDIVIDUALS John Kimball “has one of the sharpest minds in this industry,” say sources. He counsels and litigates in a range of maritime matters, from charter party disputes to casualty cases, and is noted for his particular expertise in marine insurance matters. He recently acted for the owners of the M/V 'Kyla' against its hull and machinery insurers concerning the constructive total loss of the vessel due to a collision. His international clients appreciate his ability to “explain how things play out in the USA," and laud him as "a go-to person for anything of size and substance." Jack Greenbaum's practice encompasses marine arbitration and contract disputes. He represents a variety of interested parties, including P&I clubs, charterers and brokers, in litigation and arbitration over charter party contracts, bills of lading, commodity contracts and letters of credit. Thomas Belknap is described as “fantastic when it comes to the details of a claim, where you have to go through a complaint, take it to pieces and put it back together again.” He works closely alongside John Kimball on marine casualty, insurance, charter party and cargo disputes, and associated arbitrations and enforcement of awards.
THE FIRM Freehill Hogan has a reputation as a first-class admiralty firm. It has expanded its practice in recent years beyond pure shipping work, while maintaining its depth and expertise in maritime issues. The firm's marine practice represents P&I clubs in litigation and arbitration covering vessel collisions, cargo loss, salvage, PI and contract disputes. The group's clients include large marine insurers and shippers, such as Maersk, Britannia P&I Club, Gard P&I Club and APM Terminals. The firm has recently seen an increase in the number of environmental pollution and oily water separator cases that it handles.
Client Service “The firm provides quality service at a price we can afford. You really get a lot of bang for your buck.”
Commercial Awareness “The team demonstrates a deep understanding of traditional shipping matters.”
KEY INDIVIDUALS Peter Gutowski was an acknowledged expert on the now defunct Rule B attachments but continues to pursue a vibrant practice in other areas. He works on charter party disputes, defending cargo claims and associated arrests and attachments. Sources say he’s a “damn fine and deeply knowledgeable attorney who stays in control and tries a lot of cases.” Wayne Meehan is well versed in marine casualty and associated issues, including cargo claims, and general average and charter party disputes. He is currently representing the owners and underwriters of the 'APL Peru' in a $150 million cargo claim against the owners of cargo which caused a damaging fire. Sources say that “he is effective in getting to the key issues." Don Murnane is an expert in defending claims of lost or damaged cargo, and in particular bulk and product tanker cargo, in the event of ship collisions, groundings or explosions. Sources say he is a “practical attorney and sensitive to the client’s needs.” The "tremendously smart" William Juska is experienced in litigation and arbitration in charter party, general average and oil pollution matters, and is highly lauded for his expertise in commodities and international trade contracts disputes. He is currently working on a $4 million international coal supply arbitration. Tom Russo specializes in maritime criminal defense matters, especially relating to oil and other forms of environmental pollution. He has been actively working on defending several oily water separator cases over the last year. Gina Venezia is described as “one of the rising stars of the maritime Bar.” She has a general marine litigation practice encompassing a variety of contract and collision disputes. Sources praise her as "a smart, talented and dynamic young attorney who is good on her feet in court." Eric Lenck focuses on cargo and charter party litigation. He is well known as "an astute practitioner, extremely conversant in shipping law."
THE FIRM This maritime boutique is well versed in all kinds of litigation affecting the industry, including marine bankruptcy and environmental matters. It is well known for representing owners and operators of vessels in collisions and acting in charter party disputes. On the cargo side, the group recently acted for cargo interests defending liability for a fire on board the 'Rickmers Genoa' caused after a collision with another vessel off the coast of China.
Sources say: "A highly regarded specialist maritime practice."
KEY INDIVIDUALS Raymond Burke has recently been working on several marine pollution cases and charter party disputes. In addition, he frequently litigates or arbitrates casualty disputes, acting both as arbitrator and counsel. Keith Heard is an expert in resolving charter party disputes, although he also undertakes cargo, casualty and other types of dispute. Sources are “impressed with his thoroughness and scope of knowledge.”
THE FIRM This firm is renowned for its strength and expertise in cargo matters and its substantial maritime litigation practice. The firm handles a variety of issues, including blue water, insurance coverage, charter party, collision and international trade litigation and arbitration.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Raymond Hayden is “an extremely capable attorney,” say sources. He represents cargo interests in a number of admiralty, maritime and inland transportation disputes. He gains considerable praise for his work relating to the collision and sinking of the 'Tricolor'. The "practical and hard-charging" Anthony Pruzinsky represents cargo owners and underwriters in litigation subsequent to major vessel collisions.
THE FIRM This preeminent firm in the maritime sector counsels on and litigates disputes relating to shipbuilding and charter party contracts, cargo, white-collar investigations, maritime collisions and everything in between. It has recently advised on several maritime Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 bankruptcies and insolvencies. Its clients include some of the world's largest P&I clubs, such as GARD, terminal operators, hedge funds, charterers and shipowners, including American President Lines. The firm has 42 attorneys devoted to shipping matters and has been making large strides recently to bring younger partners into the practice.
Client Service "The group has a tremendously swift response time."
Commercial Awareness "The team provides a wide range of services across various disciplines."
KEY INDIVIDUALS The extensively experienced William Honan is considered a "leading maritime lawyer in New York." "He remains as polished and poised as ever; he's an extremely solid, very capable attorney," say sources. He is skilled in charter party litigation and has lately advised the insurers and underwriters of a large oil tanker following its hijacking by Somali pirates. Michael Frevola is also recommended as an "effectively aggressive, tireless worker who does a good job for clients." He handles a range of maritime disputes, including shipping bankruptcies, charter party and seamen's wage disputes and maritime casualty litigation. He also has significant experience with Rule B and Rule C remedies. Former US naval officer James Hohenstein heads up the shipping practice at Holland & Knight. He often undertakes cases with international scope relating to charter party disputes and cargo damage actions, maritime bankruptcy and restructuring, casualty and insurance issues. He is New York counsel for American President Lines. James Power has a practice spanning several areas of maritime law, including casualty litigation and cargo cases, charter party disputes, marine pollution and seamen's claims. Backed by his experience as a marine engineer, clients note his "commercial, practical and creative approach to problem solving; he's technically strong and always interested in developing aspects of the law and how it can be used to his clients' advantage."
THE FIRM Shipping boutique McDermott & Radzik merged with this major insurance firm in 2010. The team's main strength is in cargo recovery cases on behalf of plaintiffs, to which it now adds its expertise in marine insurance work. The firm has several offices across Eastern USA.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Edward Radzik is widely experienced in maritime and admiralty litigation. He has an impressive track record of disputes covering collisions, cargo loss, shipyard repair, pollution, stevedore damage, insurance and PI. He is highlighted in particular as “one of the leading lawyers for cargo matters.” Daniel McDermott's shipping litigation experience covers cargo recovery matters, Jones Act, maritime PI and marine insurance litigation.
THE FIRM This boutique firm is best known for its expertise in cargo litigation, especially involving issues of recovery and subrogation. It also handles marine PI, and casualty and insurance disputes regarding both commercial shipping and recreational boating.
KEY INDIVIDUALS John Lillis, Charles Schmidt and Craig English are three of the firm's founding partners, alongside of counsel Donald Kennedy.
THE FIRM This firm has developed strong expertise in marine insurance issues, where it traditionally acts for underwriters. It tackles insurance defense and coverage litigation arising out of vessel collisions, and also has a solid reputation in cargo recovery actions. Its attorneys are noted for their significant trial and appellate experience.
KEY INDIVIDUALS James Sweeney is an expert in insurance law and admiralty issues, particularly involving cargo recovery matters. Sources describe him as a "practical lawyer who approaches cases looking for a solution that makes legal sense." John Nicoletti is managing partner of the firm and noted for obtaining "excellent results for his clients" in insurance coverage and shipping litigation. Michael Marks Cohen handles a variety of shipping litigation and arbitration matters, including charter party, commodities contracts and marine insurance disputes. He is currently of counsel at the firm.
THE FIRM This six-attorney firm forms a skilled maritime legal team with additional strength in a range of environmental, contractual, PI, administrative and insurance litigation and arbitration. The group is highlighted in particular for its expertise in charter party litigation and associated disputes. The firm represents oil companies, shipowners, charterers and a variety of parties in insurance disputes.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Over the course of his career David Nourse has developed tremendous expertise in litigation over charter parties, bills of lading and contracts of affreightment, in addition to other maritime and commodity disputes. He also acts as arbitrator for certain claims. Armand Paré is praised for his "effective aggressiveness, resourcefulness and ability to solve problems." His practice encompasses a range of maritime issues, from shipping and commodity contract disputes to cargo damage, insurance coverage and pollution cases. He also represents various parties, including insurers and underwriters, in major ship casualty cases.
Donald Kennedy of Carter Ledyard & Milburn LLP often acts for shipowners, charterers and offshore drilling companies and is known for his work on charter party disputes.
Brian Starer of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey has an established reputation for undertaking marine casualty and pollution litigation, and associated civil and administrative claims. He advises shipowners and P&I clubs.
Stanley McDermott of DLA Piper LLP (US) cochairs the firm's New York commercial litigation practice. He is an expert in international trade shipping and insurance issues. On the admiralty side, he often acts for shipping clients and has appeared before many international arbitration tribunals in global maritime disputes. The
"exceptionally sharp" Lizabeth Burrell of Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP works on a broad range of marine disputes, including charter party matters, arrests and attachment of vessels, cargo, bunkers, marine insurance and shipyard disputes. Her expertise extends to issues of international trade.
Michael Chalos of Chalos O'Connor & Duffy LLP is best known for defending the masters of the 'Exxon Valdez' in environmental litigation. He practices at the intersection of maritime and environmental law and has notable expertise in counseling clients accused of oil pollution, especially on issues concerning oily water separator cases. Sole practitioner
David Mazaroli is regarded as one of the
"sharpest people in the Bar." He concentrates his practice on cargo litigation.
John Woods of Clyde & Co US LLP has a maritime practice focusing on insurance and reinsurance litigation, covering hull, cargo, pollution, war risk and other policies. He acts for US and international insurers and is skilled in litigation concerning shipbuilding contracts, third-party marine liability and oil spillage claims.
Edward Keane of Mahoney & Keane LLP is a
"very knowledgeable lawyer, hard-working and very prepared for cases." Peers comment that he
"knows the market, is well respected by judges and arbitrators, and has a reputation for getting excellent results. He is extremely straightforward and rational in his approach." Paul Keane of Cichanowicz, Callan, Keane, Vengrow & Textor, LLP is an expert in cargo disputes in the Far East for Yang Ming Marine Transport and Evergreen Marine shipping lines. Former US merchant seaman
Peter Clark, of maritime law firm Clark, Atcheson & Reisert, has a practice covering cargo, salvage, general average, oil transportation, shipbuilding and ship repair, and marine insurance disputes.
Vincent DeOrchis, founding member of DeOrchis & Partners, LLP, maintains a broad maritime practice handling a variety of trial and appellate-level charter party, cargo and collision disputes.
Patrick Lennon of Lennon Murphy Caulfield & Phillips LLC is an experienced expert in maritime litigation. He handles actions relating to vessel collisions, PI, cargo and charter parties.