Band One: Shipping Litigation (New York) — Nationwide
What the team is known for: “Esteemed practice with significant experience handling high-profile maritime litigation for national and international clients. Highly regarded for crisis response and offering additional expertise in alternative dispute resolution. Maintains an excellent reputation for advising maritime industry entities in federal investigations arising from intentional misconduct allegations and casualty events, as well as in a host of cybersecurity issues. Increasingly active in shipping bankruptcy disputes, having recently acted in a number of Chapter 15 cases. Represents a range of clients including P&I Clubs, operators, investment banks, owners and private equity funds.”
As CMA Shipping 2018 convenes, we are more than a year into the Trump administration and it is fair to say that the U.S. regulatory framework for the shipping industry has seen some changes. In this issue of Mainbrace, we drill down on relevant developments in “Trump and the Maritime Industry: A Look Back and Forward.” Additionally, we offer an update on the Jones Act, an important subject that continues to be a focal point for our industry, as well as offer a report on developments concerning the vexing topic of ballast water management.
In our law practice, we have continued our long-term focus on maritime environmental matters and regularly advise our clients on compliance measures. Avoiding problems is a sure way to achieve profits and value, which is the key theme of this year’s CMA conference. Along those lines, this issue of Mainbrace includes suggested tools to strengthen environmental compliance. We also continue to encounter distressing matters involving cybersecurity, and offer a cautionary tale for the shipping industry that we hope our readers will take time to consider, as well as provide a thoughtful analysis on recent varying decisions and approaches from New York bankruptcy courts regarding territorial limits of U.S. Bankruptcy Code avoidance powers.
Lastly, technology continues to develop in the shipping industry and we provide a look ahead to developments in the areas of Smart Ships, drones, and innovative collaboration. I expect we will be focusing on these topics for some years to come.
We hope you enjoy this issue of Mainbrace and always welcome your feedback and suggestions for future articles.
Blank Rome LLP is pleased to announce that Partner Jonathan K. Waldron was recognized as a Law360 2017 Transportation MVP.
In Jon’s MVP profile, Law360 praises his noteworthy accomplishments of helping to turn back a proposed regulation that would have banned most international vessels from serving U.S. offshore energy projects in the Gulf of Mexico; advising a shipyard faced with financial ruin in its effort to secure a Jones Act waiver; and representing developers of an offshore wind farm expected to be the largest in the United States upon completion.
During his MVP interview with Law360, Jon discusses his biggest case of the year, reflects on what brought him to maritime law and what he loves about his practice, and offers advice to young attorneys.
For more information on Jon’s Law360 2017 Transportation MVP profile and interview, please click here.
Keith Letourneau Named Co-Chair of Blank Rome’s Maritime and International Trade Practice Group
The maritime group would also like to thank Jonathan K. Waldron for his recent role as practice co-chair, which concluded on December 31.
Blank Rome’s success is a direct reflection of the commitment, dedication, and hard work of our talented group of attorneys and professionals. We thank them for their ongoing contributions and service to the Firm.
Blank Rome LLP is pleased to announce that the Firm is a sponsor of the WISTA USA 2018 Annual General Meeting, Conference, and 20th Anniversary Gala, taking place April 26–27, 2018, at the Parker New York hotel in New York City. “The Women Who Move The World” is the theme of this year’s conference, which will recognize the significant contributions of women in the maritime industry.
Blank Rome LLP is pleased to announce that the Firm’s maritime practice was highly ranked both nationally and regionally in the U.S. News & World Report—Best Lawyers® 2018 “Best Law Firms” survey.
Blank Rome LLP is pleased to present the inaugural edition of Perspectives, the Firm’s Diversity & Inclusion newsletter that keeps you informed on our latest diversity news and provides insight on current diversity issues in the legal industry and beyond.
Featured in this edition:
Highlights from the Blank Rome Women’s Leadership Summit and Legal Hackathon
Analysis of the American Bar Association’s Resolution 113
Profiles of LCLD Pathfinders in the Blank Rome Proust Questionnaire
Initiatives on advancing women in law and promoting LGBTQ equality
Inside look at the Blank Rome Temple-Tsinghua Internship
Overview of recent diversity and inclusion headlines, accolades, and events
Blank Rome Named “Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality” by Human Rights Campaign in 2018 Corporate Equality Index
Blank Rome LLP received a perfect score of 100 percent on the 2018 Corporate Equality Index (“CEI”), a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (“HRC”).
With this score, Blank Rome has been designated for the third year in a row as a “Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality” by the HRC, and joins the ranks of 609 major U.S. businesses that earned top marks this year.
For more information on Blank Rome’s 2018 Corporate Equality Index score, please click here.
Large sectors of the maritime industry—especially offshore—remain in the doldrums, but it nonetheless has been a busy few months for our Blank Rome Maritime group. Our Washington, D.C., maritime attorneys have been occupied with numerous regulatory, Jones Act, and white collar criminal matters. They also continue to devote substantial time working with our Blank Rome Government Relations partners trying to discern and advise our clients on the direction that the Trump administration will likely take with respect to maritime, environmental, and regulatory policy. Our New York office has been occupied with a number of maritime casualties, including the recent collision involving the United States Navy vessel John McCain, and a steady flow of insolvency matters/questions. And our Houston office, notwithstanding being closed for five-and-a-half days as a result of Hurricane Harvey, has been so busy that it has enlisted assistance from attorneys in our other offices. Fortunately, with more than 60 attorneys in Blank Rome’s Maritime Industry Team who are located throughout our Houston, New York, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia offices, we have the resources to meet our clients’ needs. Continue reading “Note from the Maritime Industry Team”
Blank Rome Partner Jeremy Herschaft has been appointed as a vice president of the International Association of Young Lawyers (“AIJA”) Transport Law Commission for a three-year term.
Mr. Herschaft will serve in the vice president position along with Cherry Almeida of Alius Law (Rotterdam) and Lucas Marques of Kincaid (Rio de Janeiro), and all three will support incoming Transport Law Commission President Javier Zabala of Meana Green Maura & Co. (Bilbao).
Through his role, Mr. Herschaft spoke on the panel “Maritime Credits and Liens vs International Insolvencies—Digesting
the Latest Judicial Resolutions Throughout the E.U. and the U.S.” at the AIJA seminar, Navigating Through Troubled Waters; Current Trends in International Maritime and Energy Insolvencies, held September 28-30 in Bilbao, Spain. For more information on his panel, please click here.
Notable Practitioners for Shipping Litigation (New York)
Thomas H. Belknap, Jr. ranked as a band two attorney. Chambers USA states: “Thomas Belknap has experience working on insurance litigation and arbitration for a range of maritime clients. He also covers charter party disputes, salvage disputes, and cargo damage claims.”
John D. Kimball ranked as a band two attorney. Chambers USA states: “John Kimball focuses his practice on the representation of shipping clients in a wide range of contentious issues, including maritime casualties, charter party, and insurance coverage disputes. Interviewees describe Kimball as ‘extremely thorough and very experienced and knowledgeable.’”
RichardV. Singleton ranked as a band four attorney. Chambers USA states: “Richard Singleton has expertise in litigating maritime casualty cases, insurance matters and bankruptcies. One client reports: ‘It is his combination of being on top of the details and the law and also thinking strategically that keeps me going back.’”
Lauren B. Wilgus ranked as an associate to watch. Chambers USA states: “Lauren Wilgus works with domestic and international clients on maritime litigation and in alternative dispute resolution forums. Areas of experience include marine insurance matters and cargo damage claims.”
Chambers 2016: Blank Rome Maritime’s “esteemed” shipping litigation practice (New York) has “significant experience handling high- profile maritime litigation for national and international clients.” The practice is “highly regarded for crisis response and offering additional expertise in alternative dispute resolution.”
Clientsourcessay: “They have the depth for anything you need, and a lot of backup if you need help. The service is always prompt and efficient.”
Notable Practitioners for Shipping Litigation (Outside New York)
Michael K. Bell ranked as a band three attorney. Chambers USA states: “Michael Bell is well known for his representation of large maritime clients on issues such as contract disputes, casualties and commercial litigation. He ‘has a great understanding of the industry itself and a strong command of maritime law,’ say sources.”
Keith B. Letourneauranked as a band three attorney. Chambers USA states: “Keith Letourneau has expertise in vessel arrests, hazardous materials pollution and contract disputes involving shipyards and oil rigs. One client reports: ‘He is our first line of defense; he is knowledgeable and the particular knowledge he has is of the market and what is going on. That really helps us in negotiations.’”
Douglas J. Shoemaker ranked as a band three attorney. Chambers USA states: “Douglas Shoemaker is described as ‘pragmatic and a great communicator’ by a client. His practice covers areas such as navigational error, cargo damage defense and onboard investigations. He also has a strong arbitration practice.”
Jeremy A. Herschaft ranked as an up and coming attorney. Chambers USA states: “Jeremy Herschaft is a rising star of the maritime litigation space. He works with shipping and energy companies in a range of maritime issues. Areas of strength include charter party disputes, terminal-related matters and cargo claims.”
Chambers 2016: Blank Rome Maritime’s shipping litigation practice (outside New York) is a “strong practice recognized for an accomplished stable of attorneys with expertise across the full spectrum of maritime litigation matters.” The practice, with key offices in Houston, Texas, and Washington, D.C., “represents well-known clients including shipowners and operators, energy corporations and P&I clubs” and has an “accomplished Gulf Coast- based practice supported by the additional national strength of the wider firm.”
Client sources say: “It is my direct experience that the partners have great expertise in their respective areas. They have demonstrated strong professionalism.”
Jeanne M. Grasso ranked as a band two attorney. Chambers USA states: “Jeanne Grasso works with large corporations such as vessel owners, charterers, cargo owners and facilities. She has expertise in government enforcement actions, pollution incident response and regulatory compliance.”
Matthew J. Thomasranked as a band three attorney. Chambers USA states: “Matthew Thomas is noted for his knowledge of international trade sanctions and related issues concerning maritime clients. He has experience working with shipowners, terminal operators and P&I clubs.”
Jonathan K. Waldron ranked as a band one attorney. Chambers USA states: “Jonathan Waldron has ‘extensive legal knowledge and a practical approach to everything—he is really knowledgeable about the industry, not just the law,’ reports one client. He is highly regarded for his work in areas such as maritime compliance, environmental regulation and response and vessel operations.”
Chambers USA 2016: Blank Rome Maritime’s “highly acclaimed” shipping regulatory practice is “well known for its representation of significant shipping clients in a range of regulatory matters.” The practice “has expertise in Jones Act compliance, environmental investigation defense of companies and individuals and government relations” and is “further noted for working with shipowners on related aspects of trade sanctions.”
Client sources say: Blank Rome’s shipping regulatory practice is “knowledgeable and professional.”
