Areas of Practice
Maritime Law

Gawthrop Greenwood represents local, national and international transportation companies in all their maritime and transportation needs. Our Maritime Practice Group has vast experience in all facets of commercial transactions, financing, regulatory and legislative issues, environmental issues, casualty litigation and contract disputes.

Commercial Transactions and Finance

The experience of Gawthrop Greenwood attorneys in commercial marine transactions includes the negotiation and documentation of construction and repair contracts, agreements of sale, charters, debt financing, lease financing, U.S. citizenship and Jones Act issues, management agreements, crewing agreements, and tax implications.

We represent clients in the Alaskan, Gulf of Mexico, East Coast, and Great Lakes trades. Our maritime team is experienced in vessel documentation and flag transfer matters including overseas recycling and reflagging. We also represent major lending institutions in documenting construction and term loans secured by vessels, charters and other maritime contracts.

Regulatory Compliance and Government Relations

Our Maritime Practice Group has extensive experience advising clients on coastwise trade laws and U.S. citizenship requirements. We are experienced in working with the relevant government agencies (including the U.S. Maritime Administration, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) and legislative bodies to assist and advise clients regarding foreign transfer orders, waivers, rebuild classifications, and government sponsored programs for the marine industry such as Title XI and government contracts.

Environmental

Our Maritime Practice Group includes environmental attorneys experienced in dealings with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Coast Guard with respect to pollution investigations and casualties. See Environmental Law Practice Group. We are ready to assist with emergencies 24/7. We have successfully defended clients under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and similar statutory frameworks including the application of the Toxic Substances Control Act to the foreign sale and operation of vessels.

Litigation

Our maritime team has experience with claim adjustments, trials and arbitrations in federal and state courts regarding personal injury (both on-board and pierside), casualty, pollution incidents, and maritime lien enforcements. Such representations include both cost recovery actions and the defense of claims arising out of collisions, allisions, groundings, pollution incidents and cargo claims. We also are experienced in litigation involving enforcement of maritime contracts, and creditors' rights, and bankruptcy claims. See Litigation Practice Group.