The ‘very responsive and hardworking’ maritime practice at Blank Rome LLP is renowned for its deep bench of shipping litigators and regulatory attorneys, well-equipped to handle complex maritime regulatory matters and shipping disputes. With offices in Washington DC, Houston, New York and Philadelphia, the team advises on the full gamut of maritime matters, with particularly strong expertise in Jones Act and ballast water compliance. In Washington DC, leading maritime law expert Jeanne Grasso co-chairs the national maritime practice, advising clients on regulatory compliance and pollution incidents response; Houston-based Keith Letourneau leads on major litigations involving vessel arrests, maritime lien claims and collisions; and Thomas Belknap leads the New York team, specialising in a wide range of domestic and international shipping disputes.  Jonathan K Waldron  is a specialist in regulatory matters at the Washington DC office, alongside trade sanctions-expert Matthew Thomas. Kierstan L Carlson represents corporate and individual clients in high-stakes government investigations and litigation. In New York, John Kimball  leverages deep shipping litigation experience involving maritime casualties, whilst William Bennett III is recommended for his ‘excellent client relationship approach’. Lauren O’Brien left the firm in January 2025.

 

 

The full-service maritime practice at Holland & Knight LLP comprises a deep bench of ‘individually excellent’ lawyers, working across client-specific teams to represent leading vessel owners, charterers, energy and utility companies, oil and gas service providers, as well as banks and other financial organizations. The team leverages particularly extensive experience representing clients in major litigation and proceedings before the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). New York-based Christopher Nolan leads, recommended for his ‘rare depth of knowledge’ in shipping matters, notably shipping disputes and marine insurance; Michael Frevola represents clients in major arbitration and commercial litigation; James Power harnesses international law expertise to advise on cross-border marine insolvency cases; and the ‘excellent’ Vincent Foley is an expert in marine environmental issues. In the Washington DC office, Gerald Morrissey III and Sean Pribyl come recommended for litigation and regulatory compliance in the maritime and international trade sectors. Other key figures include New York-based Michael Cavanaugh, Houston-based Julia Haines and Matthew Vafidis in San Francisco.

The maritime practice at K&L Gates is distinguished for its ‘outstanding’ regulatory and policy knowledge, harnessing extensive experience working alongside legislative and executive brand agencies, as well as international governmental bodies and officials. With a large global network, the firm is well-equipped to provide comprehensive support to clients in the full gamut of maritime issues, notably arrests, attachments, and seizures of vessels; marine insurance claims; vessel collisions, allisions, and groundings; and a range of maritime contract disputes. In Washington DC, Michael Scanlon co-leads the policy and regulatory practice, representing US and foreign shipping companies and marine service providers before federal agencies, US Congress and federal courts; Mark Ruge handles federal government matters, and associate Elle Stuart assists on regulatory, policy, and legislative matters. Boston-based Jeffrey King specialises in complex commercial litigation and arbitration concerning maritime and transportation matters, whilst the ‘intelligent and responsive’ George Kontakis leads on domestic and international commercial and criminal matters in the New York office. Houston-based associate Jody Schisel-Meslin is another key contact for maritime litigation.

 

 

The team at Jones Walker LLP is highly regarded for its ‘thorough, efficient and results-oriented’ approach to maritime litigation and dispute resolution, with a broad practice encompassing vessel construction, personal injury, property damage, indemnity, environmental, and product liability matters. From offices in New Orleans, Houston, Mobile and Miami, the firm’s cross-trained attorneys practice in state, federal, and administrative proceedings throughout the United States, regularly arguing before the US Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans – a key court for domestic maritime disputes. In New Orleans, the team is jointly led by Grady Hurley; Jefferson Tillery, an experienced litigator in maritime personal injury and vessel collision and allision matters; regulatory and marine disputes expert R. Scott Jenkins ; and Richard Bertram, who leads the maritime regulatory team. Etienne Balart, George Fowler, Alfred Rufty III and associate Sara Kuebel are other key contacts in New Orleans, whilst Miami-based Luis Llamas leads on admiralty disputes, complex commercial litigation and cruise line claims.

The maritime litigation practice at Seward & Kissel LLP harnesses a strong bench of corporate and commercial litigators, equipped with excellent industry and market specific knowledge in the sector. The team represents major public and private shipping clients in disputes arising from financing transactions, shipping securities and governance matters, alongside traditional maritime disputes. A notable area of expertise in US economic sanctions sees the firm conducting internal investigations and providing international trade sanctions advice to a range of domestic and international entities. From New York, Bruce G Paulsen  co-heads the team, specialising in complex commercial and maritime disputes, as well as handling piracy issues before US government agencies. Co-head Brian Maloney leverages extensive experience in sanctions-related matters and managing regulatory investigations. Counsel Laura Miller focuses on maritime litigation, with a particular expertise in environmental laws and regulations.

Highly regarded regulatory expert Charlie Papavizas spearheads the Winston & Strawn LLP maritime practice, leading on notable matters involving US government policy, law, regulations and enforcement, transactions and litigation. An impressive client list of shipowners, energy companies, marine construction companies and financial institutions call upon the firm in US flag law and regulation matters, notably concerning the application of the Jones Act. The team is especially knowledgeable in issues concerning the US offshore wind industry, advising clients on acquisitions of offshore wind developers, as well as regulatory issues influencing the sector. Papavizas is joined in the Washington DC office by Bryant Gardner, who specialises in maritime government contract negotiations and disputes, US flag programs, MARPOL issues and Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) counselling and litigation.

 

Thompson Hine LLP leverages a strong reputation in handling federal policy matters, representing shippers and intermediaries in a range of policy matters and before the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). A key focus of the team involves advising trade associations and large industry coalitions, with notable representation of the National Industrial Transportation League (NITL) – the sole federal organization dedicated to representing shipper’s interests across all industries in freight transportation matters. In Washington DC, Karyn Booth spearheads the team, advising shippers and trade associations on regulatory rights, FMC compliance and global logistics agreements. Jason Tutrone handles logistics-related litigation, drafts and negotiates service contracts for ocean container transportation, as well as advising on FMC rules and licensing requirements. Columbus-based Dan Ujczo specialises in domestic and international matters involving ocean and barge transportation, including cargo and loss damage rules under US law and international treaties.