Geoffrey D. Ferrer

Vice Chair, Transportation & Trade; Office Managing Partner

: New York
45 Broadway
16th Floor
New York, NY 10006
P: (212) 908-1201
TF: (800) 437-7040
F: (212) 509-9492

Geoffrey D. Ferrer

Geoffrey serves as the office managing partner of the New York office and is vice chair of the firm's Transportation & Trade Practice. He focuses on U.S. and non-U.S. flag shipping matters, and all aspects of asset-based lending, including ship and aircraft finance and equipment leasing. He routinely advises vessel owners and operators, as well as financial institutions in connection with U.S., Marshall Island, Liberian and Vanuatu maritime and corporate laws. He also provides maritime advice in connection with shipping related mergers and acquisitions, as well as securities offerings. In addition, he represents clients in maritime lien and mortgage enforcement actions, as well as in marine casualty and general commercial disputes. He has been recognized by Chambers and Partners USA in Nationwide Transportation: Shipping/Maritime Finance from 2014-2017.

In 1978, Geoffrey received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Oklahoma. He earned his law degree in 1981 from Columbia University.

He is the author of the "Judicial Sales and Priority of Liens - United States," chapter in the Maritime Law Handbook, published by Wolters Kluwer in 1994 and updated in 2013 and 2017.

Experience

Counsel to leading European financial institution, as agent and security trustee, in a $42 million New York law credit facility to finance a portion of the purchase price of two new build vessels by a NYSE member company that owns and operates a fleet of modern mid to large-size dry bulk carriers.

Acted as special New York counsel to a leading European lender, as agent in connection with $12.5 million secured loan for post-delivery financing of a bulk carrier.

Acted as special New York counsel to a leading European lender, as agent, arranger, security agent, account bank, and lender in connection with a syndicated $330 million term loan that is providing delivery and post-delivery financing for the acquisition of 21 bulk carriers.

Acted as special counsel to an owner, operator and acquirer of liquefied natural gas carriers, a Marshall Islands limited partnership, on matters of Marshall Islands law in connection with a follow on public offering of an additional 7.5 million limited partnership units.

Acted as special maritime counsel to one of the world’s largest contractors of independent-leg cantilever (ILC) jack-up rigs on matters of Vanuatu, Liberian, and Marshall Islands law in connection with an increase in a credit facility with RBC Europe Limited, as administrative agent and collateral agent. The credit facility is secured by first preferred ship mortgages on 34 non-self-propelled mobile offshore drilling units.

Acted as special counsel on Liberian and Marshall Islands law for one of the world’s leading owners and providers of containerships for charter in connection with the issuance of its 8.75% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Shares in the public market.

Acting as special counsel on matters of Marshall Islands and Liberian law in connection with possible initial public offerings of limited partnership units by a Marshall Islands limited partnership.

Acted as special U.S. maritime counsel to a private equity firm in connection with its investment through an affiliate in one of the largest U.S.-based seafood harvesters and owner of U.S. flag fishing vessels.

News

126 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named to the Best Lawyers in America

August 22, 2018

One hundred twenty-six Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 20 of the firm’s national offices have been selected for inclusion in the 2018 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Three Practice Areas and Six Attorneys Recommended by The U.S. Edition of The Legal 500

June 15, 2018

The U.S. edition of The Legal 500 recognized Cozen O’Connor’s Aviation, Construction, and Shipping practices as well as attorneys Geoffrey Ferrer, Bruce Ficken, David Heffernan, Jeffrey Lawrence, Robert Magovern, and Anne Mickey.

Cozen O’Connor Transportation Attorney Geoffrey Ferrer Admitted to Practice Law in the Republic of the Marshall Islands

August 02, 2017

Geoffrey D. Ferrer, vice chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Transportation & Trade Practice Group and Office Managing Partner of the New York Downtown Office, has been sworn in as a member of the Republic of the Marshall Islands bar becoming one of only 54 admitted and active Marshall Islands attorneys.

Two Practice Areas and Eight Attorneys Named to the Legal 500 United States

June 19, 2017

The Legal 500 United States recommended Cozen O’Connor’s Shipping and Aviation practices and named Mark Atwood, Geoffrey Ferrer, Bruce Ficken, Mark Fink, David Heffernan, Jeffrey Lawrence, Robert Magovern, and Anne Mickey to its 2017 list.

Cozen O’Connor Earns Client Recognition in 2017 Chambers USA Rankings

May 26, 2017

Chambers USA recognized 47 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields; 14 attorneys were recognized nationally and 11 were ranked in the top band.

Cozen O’Connor Earns Client Recognition in 2016 Chambers USA Rankings

May 27, 2016

Chambers USA recognized 41 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields; 12 attorneys were recognized nationally and 11 were ranked in the top band.

Cozen O’Connor Earns Client Recognition in 2015 Chambers USA Rankings

July 06, 2015

Chambers USA recognized 37 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields; 12 attorneys were recognized nationally and 10 were ranked in the top band.

Cozen O’Connor Earns Client Recognition in 2014 Chambers USA Rankings

May 30, 2014

Chambers USA recognized 29 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields; six attorneys were recognized nationally and eight were ranked in the top band. Stanley Sher was named a “Senior Statesman” in the “Transportation: Shipping: Regulatory (outside New York)” industry, for the pivotal role Sher plays in the firm’s continued success in the transportation industry.

Cozen O’Connor Names Geoffrey D. Ferrer Managing Partner Of New York Offices

June 25, 2008

Cozen O’Connor Names Geoffrey D. Ferrer Managing Partner Of New York Offices

Time to Get Moving: Transportation and Coast Guard Regulatory Reform Opportunities [Maritime Alert]

June 07, 2017

Geof Ferrer, Rob Freeman, and Jeff Vogel discuss two notices that create a significant opportunity for stakeholders to shape the regulation of transportation and infrastructure projects in the United States.

Furie and DHS Settle Dispute over Largest-Ever Jones Act Fine [Maritime Alert]

March 30, 2017

Jeff Vogel discusses the stipulation of dismissal filed by Furie Operating Alaska and the DHS, ending their long-standing Jones Act dispute.

How Convenient: Vessel Registration and Mortgages in the Republics of the Marshall Islands and Liberia [Transportation & Logistics Newsletter]

August 13, 2014

Two registries of significant interest to shipowners are the registries of the Republics of the Marshall Islands and Liberia. Significantly, insofar as it does not conflict with the statutory laws, each country has adopted the non-statutory general maritime laws of the United States. This gives added certainty to shipowners, particularly those familiar with U.S. maritime laws.