Get to know Blank Rome Maritime team members Alexandra Clark and Natalie M. Radabaugh.
Alexandra Clark
How did you get into maritime law?
I have always been interested in international law. While attending Tulane Law School, I studied international and comparative law and spent a summer studying cultural heritage law. As a summer associate with Blank Rome, I found myself working closely with the Maritime group, which sparked my interest in the field. Over time, I developed a white collar investigations and civil litigation practice with a focus on the maritime industry.
What do you find most interesting about the maritime industry?
The maritime industry has always been—and remains—a vital part of the global economy. As a history enthusiast, I am especially fascinated by the impact that maritime trade has had on the exchange of goods, cultures, and technologies throughout the centuries. From antiquity to present, trade has had a lasting impact on societies and economies the world over. Maritime law has a particularly rich history, with roots tracing back to Rhodian law and the laws of Oleron. It is remarkable that we continue to draw on this longstanding legal tradition to address modern challenges.
How does Blank Rome’s deep experience in the maritime industry provide us with a competitive advantage?
Shipping clients come to Blank Rome because we have an immediate, in-depth understanding of the maritime industry—there’s no learning curve when it comes to understanding the industry’s quirks. Our Maritime group has a breadth of experience and knowledge that enables us to help our clients navigate nearly any challenge they face. We can handle civil litigation and arbitration ranging from demurrage claims and charter party disputes to large casualties; defend against investigations and enforcement actions; provide compliance and regulatory advice; and handle transactions like charters, sales, and leases.
How does the industry team / practice group work with our other service lines?
We recognize that our maritime clients are, at their core, businesses with a wide range of legal needs beyond those that are traditionally “maritime.” Our maritime clients often have issues that arise that are not unique to the shipping industry just like any other business—employment matters, mergers and acquisitions, tax concerns, and white collar investigations or compliance challenges. We frequently draw on the experience of our colleagues across Blank Rome’s practice groups and offices to help our clients address both their maritime and non-maritime legal needs.
What do you like to do outside of your legal practice?
I am an avid reader and crafter. On weekends, you’ll find me taking long walks with my family and exploring my neighborhood—I have an energetic one-year-old and an equally energetic Australian Shepherd pup!
Natalie M. Radabaugh
How did you get into maritime law?
Honestly, I got into maritime law somewhat by accident and by being in the right place at the right time. When I was in law school, I was not entirely sure what area of law I wanted to pursue, but I knew I was looking for something unique with an international dimension. During law school, I completed a Navy JAG internship and found myself drawn to the issues and cases involving ships and maritime operations. Through the traditional law firm hiring process, I connected with Blank Rome, which happened to be looking for a junior maritime associate at the time. It turned out to be a perfect fit. I immediately enjoyed both the people and the work, and what started as a fortunate opportunity quickly became a rewarding career.
What current events are most likely to have significant impact on the maritime industry or maritime law?
There are three major current events/developments that I have been following closely over the past year or so and expect will continue to impact the maritime industry and maritime law in the years ahead.
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- First, tariffs and the United States Trade Representative’s Section 301 port fee initiatives. Both have generated significant uncertainty and prompted companies to re-examine their fleet composition, corporate structures, sourcing strategies and voyage routes, and vessel newbuilding plans. While many of the proposed measures have faced legal and political challenges, the broader policy focus on trade protectionism and domestic shipbuilding is unlikely to disappear in the next few years. As a result, stakeholders throughout the maritime industry (both domestically and abroad) will need to continue assessing how future trade and maritime policies may affect their operations.
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- Second, ongoing instability in the Middle East and its impact on global shipping and logistics. Recent conflicts and security threats in the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz have highlighted the vulnerability of critical shipping routes and supply chains. These disruptions have affected voyage planning, insurance costs, vessel routing, and overall supply chain reliability, particularly in the oil and gas sector. If these conflicts continue, we can expect ongoing operational and commercial disruptions and ramifications for the international shipping and logistics industries.
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- Third, developments involving the Jones Act, Jones Act waiver discussions, and broader U.S. maritime policy initiatives such as the SHIPS for America Act and America’s Maritime Action Plan. These initiatives have attracted considerable attention across the U.S. maritime sector because they reflect a renewed focus on strengthening the domestic maritime industry and revitalizing U.S. shipbuilding. It will be interesting to see how these efforts evolve over the next several years and whether they ultimately lead to any meaningful changes and/or long-term growth of the U.S. maritime industry.
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How does the industry team / practice group work with our other service lines?
Our practice group works closely with a number of other practice areas across the firm to provide clients with an integrated, multidisciplinary approach that brings together the best skills for each matter. Because maritime issues often intersect with a variety of legal and business considerations, collaboration across practice groups is a key part of how we serve our clients. For example, over the past year I have worked alongside colleagues within our Maritime group on admiralty and regulatory matters; with attorneys in our Corporate, M&A, and Securities group on maritime-related transactions, strategic acquisitions, and capital markets matters; and with our Finance, Restructuring, and Bankruptcy team on vessel financings, bankruptcy matters involving maritime assets, and other financing transactions representing both lenders and borrowers, including yacht financing transactions for high-net-worth individuals. I have also collaborated with attorneys in our International Trade group on tariff- and sanctions-related issues affecting maritime clients, as well as with our Tax group to address tax considerations arising in connection with various transactions.
What do you like to do outside of your legal practice?
Outside of my legal practice, I am an avid soccer player and fan. I grew up playing soccer and still play nearly every week in a co-ed adult league here in Washington, D.C. I also enjoy following the English Premier League and especially enjoyed watching and attending games in this summer’s World Cup here in North America. Beyond soccer, I love traveling with my fiancée and spending time on the water. Whether it is a vacation abroad or a weekend getaway closer to home, no trip feels complete without at least a few hours on a boat.
This article is one in a series of articles written for Blank Rome’s MAINBRACE: August 2026 edition.