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Shipping is one of the most common and lucrative methods of transporting goods around the globe. As such, disputes frequently arise. For maritime clients whose daily operations involve complicated contracts, high-value cargo and unpredictable seas, it is important to have sophisticated litigation counsel at the ready. Cozen O’Connor attorneys have been successfully representing clients in their most critical maritime litigation for decades.
The firm represents a diverse array of maritime clients, including the world’s largest ocean carriers, port and terminal operators, P&I Clubs, chassis pools, classification societies and Fortune 500 companies with bulk shipping capacity. Clients in the maritime arena are often embroiled in complex disputes around the world, and our attorneys have extensive experience helping both U.S. and international clientele contend with the laws of extra-territorial jurisdictions.
Cozen O’Connor represents maritime clients in all manner of marine casualty (e.g., collisions, allisions, groundings, container losses and sinkings) as well as personal injury, wrongful death, loss of cargo and pollution claims. We handle commercial disputes arising from charter parties, construction and shipbuilding contracts, liner service agreements, terminal and equipment leases, and other agreements unique to the maritime industry. Our attorneys handle coverage disputes with regard to cargo, hull and marine general liability insurance on behalf of marine insurers and insurance syndicates.
The firm regularly assists clients in disputes to which the U.S. government is a party. We respond to major government investigations, administrative and criminal enforcement actions; appeals of agency decisions to the courts; and high-profile criminal and civil litigation. With respect to government contracting in the maritime sector, Cozen O’Connor protests deficiencies in solicitations, defends or challenges contract awards and handles disputes that arise during execution of the contract.
Our maritime litigation attorneys regularly appear before state and federal courts, appellate courts, federal and state administrative agencies (such as the Federal Maritime Commission, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Foreign Asset Control and U.S. Maritime Administration), international and domestic arbitration panels, boards of contract appeals, Congress and international bodies. They have successfully prosecuted and defended hundreds of arbitration proceedings in the U.S. and overseas.
Knowledge of the specific governing body of law is necessary but not sufficient to successfully resolve complex maritime disputes; it is vital to understand the maritime industry as well. From Himalaya Clauses to bilge strainers, Cozen O’Connor’s attorneys have detailed knowledge of maritime contracts and ship engineering.
Our maritime counsel also have an uncommonly diverse array of litigation experience with respect to intermodal freight, surface transportation and logistics. Nothing is transported by ship alone, and Cozen O’Connor attorneys are able to represent clients in casualty or contract disputes that arise at any phase in the transportation process. With offices in 24 cities, we are well positioned to respond wherever and whenever conflicts arise.