Matthew Kaiser’s practice focuses on the maritime industry, as well as trade finance and related United States government guarantee programs. He works regularly with domestic and multinational carriers and offshore owners and operators, and the financial institutions that fund these critically important components of trade, energy exploration and transportation.
Corporate maritime clients and financial institutions turn to Matt for representation in various financing transactions, including bilateral and syndicated loan facilities and lease and leveraged lease financings. He also represents owners in vessel sales and acquisitions of both second-hand tonnage and new construction, and represents private equity in investments in the maritime industry, often serving as special maritime counsel to AMLaw 50 M&A and finance practices.
Matt is well-versed in regulatory matters before the U.S. Coast Guard and Maritime Administration, citizenship qualification, Jones Act issues, vessel registration under U.S. and foreign flags, and general issues facing domestic and international maritime operations. Matt assists corporate maritime clients with the structuring of their foreign and domestic operations, and advises on management and compliance issues.
Working for almost two decades as a de facto in-house counsel for an international shipping company informed Matt’s counsel with practical insights and experience. Matt brings a commercial view of legal issues that is not bogged down in overly legalistic minutiae.
Matt is on a client team that counsels Ex-Im Bank on corporate and small project financings. Via insurance, guarantees or direct loans, the bank’s programs increase U.S. exports to promote job creation and economic growth for U.S. businesses in international jurisdictions that might otherwise have some credit challenges. Matt is also working with a U.S. government agency offering similar financing and support and is actively expanding this side of his practice. Before joining the firm, Matt was a foreign exchange trader.
- American Bar Association
- New York State Bar Association
- Maritime Law Association
With the demands of a law practice, my free time is spent enjoying time with my family, coaching or watching my daughter’s sports-related activities, and trying to lose the weight associated with the post-COVID back-to-office bowls of free snacks.