Maritime Regulatory

Represented an industry and congressional coalition advocating for construction of a new navigation lock in a key waterway in the Great Lakes that is essential to U.S. blast furnace production of steel.

Defended a final rule setting Great Lakes pilotage rates for the 2016 season from a challenge under the Administrative Procedure Act by shipping companies that pay the rates. 

Served as counsel to a cooperative working agreement among international marine terminal operators and port authorities that operate ports and port facilities throughout the world in international commerce.

Represented the owner/operator of a U.S.-flag Ro-Ro/container vessel that sank in 2015 in Hurricane Joaquin in the Caribbean, resulting in a complete loss of the vessel, all cargo, and all 33 persons on board. Provided counsel in the U.S. Coast Guard’s Marine Board of Investigation, the parallel National Transportation Safety Board investigation, and the civil limitation of liability proceeding in federal court.

Represented a world leader in the transportation of dry cargo in extensive negotiations with the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control, which alleged that our client violated the Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators Sanctions Regulations, resulting in successful settlement. 

Served as counsel to a broad coalition representing virtually every element of the U.S. domestic maritime industry in successfully defending against attempts to amend the cabotage laws of the United States.

Served as counsel to a leading trade association for the container and chassis leasing industry in its proactive engagement with D.C. policymakers and agencies regarding legislative and regulatory concerns with respect to the chassis market. 

Advised one of the largest cruise lines in the world with respect to the US regulation of its fleet and its US flag operations.

Served as outside counsel to one of the most influential organizations in the US maritime industry on legislative and regulatory matters.

Provided legal, regulatory, and strategic counsel to a leading U.S. roll-on/roll-off carrier operating liner services as it relates to government activities affecting the operation of U.S. flag vessels, including vessels operating in the Maritime Security Fleet program and cargo preference trades.

Represented one of the largest seafood companies in North America and one of the largest harvesters of fish in the world on a variety of maritime issues related to the construction of its fleet of catcher/processor vessels and subsequent federal legislation, including the American Fisheries Act and related federal regulations.

Served as outside counsel to a society that provides classification services to the global marine and offshore industries on legislative and regulatory matters involving U.S. foreign classification societies.