The firm has represented many different aspects of the maritime industry, including shipping lines, freight consolidators (NVOCCs), ocean freight forwarders, and shippers.  

Other matters on which we have represented maritime clients include commercial negotiations, ship financing, regulatory matters before agencies such as the Federal Maritime Commission, the Federal Maritime Administration and the U.S. Customs Service, as well as commercial litigation in the courts.  The firm also has participated in complex property and indemnification litigation, and has also played an active role in several legislative efforts directly affecting the ocean shipping industry.  

• Cargo Preference Law Litigation

The firm successfully represented a U.S. flag shipping company in a suit against the United States Government under the cargo preference laws. The federal government was attempting to avoid the cargo preference laws and to put our client out of business, but as a result of our suit the preference laws were applied and the carrier continued to operate.

• Maritime Contractual Litigation

The firm recently represented a second mortgagee in litigation before the United States Bankruptcy Court and the Court of Appeals regarding the amount of preference held by the first mortgagee under the Ship Mortgage Act. The case required our firm to rebuff efforts by the first mortgagee to have Congress retroactively amend the Ship Mortgage Act.

• Maritime Counsel

Attorneys in the firm have assisted clients in obtaining operating authority licenses from the FMC. We have also advised clients on a wide variety of freight forwarding and non-vessel operating common carrier issues, and advised shipper associations on a number of maritime matters.

• Ship Sales and Leases

Attorneys in the firm have developed substantial contacts with the Federal Maritime Administration through negotiating the lease and purchase terms and drafting leases and sales agreements for buyers of vessels owned by FMA after foreclosures due to loan guaranty defaults.

• Surface Transportation Board Regulation

In 1996, the Surface Transportation Board acquired jurisdiction to regulate the rates and practices of U.S. ocean carriers operating between U.S. states or possessions.  The firm is currently representing one of the largest U.S. ocean carriers in two cases before the STB challenging the carrier's rates and practices.