Holland & Knight LLP

Sean T. Pribyl is a business attorney in Holland & Knight's Washington, D.C., office. Mr. Pribyl concentrates his practice on maritime law and regulatory compliance, international law and trade, marine casualties and claims, Jones Act coastwise trade, autonomous transportation and emerging technologies, offshore energy, and environmental law. He also leads the firm's practice involving all U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) matters and worldwide shipboard investigations.

Mr. Pribyl combines a common sense legal approach with an emphasis on personal relationships with his clients, and brings to bear a significant background with more than 25 years of combined experience as a federal regulator, international maritime and trade attorney, USCG officer and attorney (JAG), U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Special U.S. Attorney, merchant mariner deck officer and international protection and indemnity (P&I) club lawyer. With a focus on results, Mr. Pribyl combines the analytical with the practical to offer sound and timely advice on complex compliance matters so that clients can make informed decisions – to avoid potential issues. Mr. Pribyl has also forged a reputation as being an industry thought leader on developing areas of risk and innovation on the horizon to help clients stay "ahead of the game."

Mr. Pribyl has significant experience in working with clients in regulatory, litigation and compliance matters involving maritime and international trade. He leverages his operator and regulator background to help clients navigate complex and shifting regulatory compliance and enforcement landscapes involving the USCG, U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Military Sealift Command (MSC), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of State (DOS), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and others.

Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Mr. Pribyl worked as a senior claims executive and lawyer in Arendal, Norway, with the world's largest P&I Club. Previously, he practiced law at an international law firm in Washington, D.C. Before entering private practice, Mr. Pribyl served as an attorney with the USCG and DOJ, as the primary legal advisor to the federal on-scene coordinator for the Deepwater Horizon Incident Management Team, and as the lead legal advisor to the joint National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)-USCG major marine casualty investigation and hearing into the allision between the M/V Delta Mariner and Eggners Ferry Bridge.

Prior to law school, Mr. Pribyl was a licensed ship master and worked for eight years as a licensed deck officer aboard offshore supply, container, roll-on/roll-off, break bulk and fiber-optic cable vessels. He also served for 12 years as a naval reserve officer.

Mr. Pribyl is a widely published author in treatises and publications, as well as a regular speaker at international legal and industry conferences and seminars. As a military veteran, Mr. Pribyl proudly represented veterans before the Board of Veterans' Appeals and volunteers significant time in matters involving defense of merchant mariners' credentials in USCG Suspension and Revocation proceedings.