Get to know Blank Rome Maritime team members Thomas H. Belknap Jr., Neil P. McMillan, and Alan M. Weigel.
Thomas H. Belknap, Jr.
How did you get into maritime law?
Coming out of law school I thought I wanted to practice international commercial litigation, and when I applied for jobs, Healy & Baillie (then a boutique maritime firm, which subsequently combined with Blank Rome), showed interest in me because I had a sailing background and a Coast Guard launchtender’s license. I had never considered the maritime angle professionally prior to that point, but when I thought about it, I immediately got excited about combining my passion for being on the water with my career choice. I remember calling my dad a few weeks after I started and bragging that I got to read charts at work!
What do you find most interesting about the maritime industry?
Maritime law is an industry practice more than a specific legal discipline, and practicing in this field requires both a broad understanding of the law and a deep understanding of the industry. It has been absolutely fascinating to dive deep into the maritime industry and to learn so much about how goods are transported around the world and about how delicate—and invisible—the global shipping world is … until something goes wrong.
How does Blank Rome’s deep experience in the maritime industry provide us with a competitive advantage?
One thing that really came into focus after we got the call on the Dali / Key Bridge matter for the owner/manager interests was how broad and deep our group’s experience really is. We have had to manage one of the largest marine casualties in history, including managing a casualty response and marine salvage and debris removal operation; a civil limitation of liability proceeding; a National Transportation Safety Board investigation; a Coast Guard investigation; a criminal investigation; general average and salvage claims; and charter party claims, not to mention a product liability claim against the ship builder. And we have been able to manage every single aspect of this case in-house. It has been inspiring and humbling to be part of such an amazing team.
How does the industry team / practice group work with Blank Rome’s other service lines?
We work regularly with other practice groups at the firm to help service our clients. Just in the past year, I have worked with our bankruptcy, labor and employment, corporate/M&A, and international trade groups, as well as our government relations affiliate, on several different matters for Blank Rome Maritime clients. And at the same time, I have worked with colleagues across the firm to provide maritime advice to their clients on multiple matters. It is an important part of why our group at Healy & Baillie decided to join Blank Rome in the first place, and it has proven to be a great asset to our clients around the world.
Neil P. McMillan
How did you get into maritime law?
I attended the U.S. Naval Academy and after graduation served as a Surface Warfare Officer. My first tour was as an Officer in the Engineering Department on a Destroyer and my second tour was as Navigator on a Cruiser. After my time in active duty, I started at Fordham Law and took an Admiralty and Maritime Law course where I got my first exposure to the commercial maritime industry.
What do you find most interesting about the maritime industry?
What I find most interesting about the maritime industry is how deeply it is rooted in history and tradition, yet constantly evolving through new technologies and smarter systems. I also appreciate its global interconnectedness and the vital role it plays in keeping commerce moving worldwide.
How does our firm’s deep experience in the maritime industry provide us with a competitive advantage?
I’ve seen firsthand how our group’s experience has been critical in helping clients to navigate complex casualties and legal issues. The diverse backgrounds of our team allow us to handle issues of any scale around the globe.
What do you like to do outside of your legal practice?
I enjoy staying active and like to spend time outdoors with my family. I have a very busy 20-month-old who likes to go on new adventures every weekend!
Alan M. Weigel
How did you get into maritime law?
I have spent my entire life around boats and boat yards, including 20 years as a submarine officer in the United States Navy. In law school, I discovered that I could apply my lifetime of nautical experience to a legal career. After law school, I was fortunate to have been hired by one of the most preeminent maritime law firms in the United States.
What do you find most interesting about the maritime industry?
I find the adoption of new technologies intended to make ships safer and more efficient the most interesting.
What trends are you following at the moment?
Autonomous ships and the International Maritime Organization’s (“IMO”) efforts to regulate them.
How does Blank Rome’s deep experience in the maritime industry provide us with a competitive advantage?
With our experience, our maritime industry team is able to analyze complex issues at the outset of the matter and help our clients reach an early understanding of the likely outcomes.
This article is one in a series of articles written for Blank Rome’s MAINBRACE: April 2026 edition.