Admiralty and Maritime

Movement of Hazardous Materials

We counsel clients on HAZMAT compliance issues involving U.S. federal regulations and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.

Partners: Bay, William R.; Bock, Cherie Stephens; Brown, Eileen P.; Buchholz, Edward J.; Dean Jr., Warren L.; Dorwart, Donald B.; Farmer, John S.; Kaiser, Matthew; Krumholz, Marjorie F.; Lawton, Richard L.; Massey, Raymond L.; McGowan, Thomas Sean; O'Keefe, Michael D.; Sonderegger, Paul T.; Stoltz, Gerald D.; Strassner, Peter S.; Struble, B. Matthew

Admiralty Litigation: Represented a client before the U.S. Supreme Court in successfully challenging the Federal Maritime Commission’s jurisdiction over state port authorities.; Represented a marine repair facility in jury trial to verdict involving a Jones Act case, brought by a paralyzed worker, arising out of collapse of a crane boom. This trial was in one of the most litigious venues in America.; Represented a riverboat casino in trial to judgment in U.S. District Court in a limitation of liability action following a mid-river collision between the casino and a towboat pushing a cement barge. The trial involved multimillion-dollar claims for hull damage, personal injuries and business interruption.; Represented towboat company in litigation in Indiana federal court that successfully secured full insurance coverage and outstanding legal fees in coverage dispute.; Successfully secured limitation of liability in collision with railroad bridge on the Mississippi River in Eastern District of Missouri.; Secured judgment in charterer’s favor in multimillion-dollar arbitration over chartered barges that were allegedly damaged during term of the charter.

Environmental: Represented a domestic shipowner in the acquisition of the shipping business of a Great Lakes-based operator, including the purchase of six bulk carriers. This transaction involved legal issues relating to the discovery and removal of mercury contamination prior to closing.

Finance: Represented lessors in lease financing of offshore supply vessels.; Represented a U.S. bank in fleet mortgage financing and subsequent sale of debt to third-party financial institution.; Represented a U.S. bank providing acquisition financing and associated lines of credit for a family-owned tug and barge business.

Ports: Represented a foreign-based shipping company in negotiating vessel construction contracts with major international shipyards in Korea, Japan and China.

Regulatory Matters: Led a coalition that successfully lobbied Congress in connection with the reform of Subpart F relating to the taxation of foreign-based company shipping income and represented clients in the enactment of the alternate tonnage tax regime for U.S.-flagged vessels operating in international trade.; Represented a foreign shipowner in performing due diligence necessary to evaluate a U.S.-based shipping business for a possible acquisition.