Secured summary judgment and exoneration for a watercraft rental company in a fatal jet ski allision case. The court dismissed all wrongful death, survival, and personal injury claims based on the liability waiver and the renter’s conduct. The team then obtained a substantial judgment in damages against the renter, including attorney’s fees, costs, and prejudgment interest, plus post-judgment interest. The court distinguished between waiver and indemnity and found the applicable provisions enforceable under federal maritime contract law.

Represented a shipbuilding company in a complex maritime arbitration under institutional arbitration rules arising from a vessel-construction contract for a large event vessel with a multimillion-dollar base contract price. The dispute concerned the scope and cost of construction work, change orders, vessel specifications, construction delays, suspension and cessation of work, and preservation of the vessel. After extensive proceedings, including a multi-day merits hearing, post-hearing submissions, and proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law, the panel issued a unanimous Final Award finding fully in the client’s favor and rejecting the claimant’s claims for misrepresentation, violations of state consumer protection laws, and unjust enrichment.

Represented a P&I club in a multimillion-dollar recovery action for vessel damage and oil spill response costs after a hull puncture at a port facility. The recovery claim settled on very favorable terms shortly before trial, and the team continues to defend the client against federal and state trustee claims for Natural Resource Damages.

Obtaining a series of federal court dismissals for a cruise services company, a firm client, together with very favorable settlements at nuisance value, to resolve a string of claims brought against the client.

Defended a shipping company in claims in excess of $30 million arising from a vessel breakaway and terminal allision on a major U.S. waterway, involving parallel international arbitration. The case settled extremely favorably for the client.

Defended a marine services company in a maritime personal injury claim involving claims of severe damages due to chemical exposure with demands in excess of several million dollars. The matter settled at a level close to the cost of defense.

Representing a marine geophysical survey company in federal litigation and arbitration, valued in the multi-million-dollar range, against another company concerning a terminated seismic survey contract.

Represented a watercraft rental company in a matter that resulted in a multimillion-dollar settlement against one renter, exoneration for the client, and a substantial additional judgment. A federal appellate court appeal established a maritime law claim for wrongful death.