Maritime Law

As an important part of one of northern New England's largest law firms, Preti Flaherty's Maritime Law practice supports clients along the coastline of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and beyond. Shipbuilding, recreational boating, fishing and commercial shipping along New England's waters contribute to the region's unique maritime history and vital modern industry. Our Maritime Law Group serves American and global clients ranging from large shipbuilders such as Bath Iron Works Division of General Dynamics Corporation, to small and specialty shipyards, marinas, product manufacturers, banks, aquaculture, fishing and fish processing concerns, and vessel interests. Preti Flaherty also has a significant Longshore Act and Jones Act practice.

Attorney Michael Kaplan leads the Maritime Law Group and brings a strong background in admiralty and maritime law to his practice. He worked in maritime industries in the Port of New Orleans for over ten years before attending Tulane Law School. He has been recognized by Woodward/White's The Best Lawyers in America for his work in Maritime Law.

Additional members of the Maritime Law Practice Group bring depth to the group and important experience to our clients. Jeff Peters, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, regularly advises Bath Iron Works. Nelson Larkins is experienced in defense of Longshoremen's Act claims. Before becoming an attorney, Matthew LaMourie was employed at both the U.S. Maritime Administration and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, as a project manager and policy analyst. Peter Callaghan is experience in maritime litigation. Josh Carver, also a Tulane Law School graduate, has handled significant accident claims in admiralty litigation.

Our Services

We understand the legal issues that are unique to maritime industries. By working closely with our Litigation, Corporate, Environmental, Workers' Compensation and Employment Law groups, we offer our clients services such as:

• Maritime Insurance disputes – related to collisions, oil spills or personal injuries
• Longshoremen's and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act claims
• Federal Court admiralty litigation, New England wide (and beyond)
• Ship mortgages and foreclosures; in rem actions
• Arrests of vessels and related maritime issues
• Personal injury and workers' compensation
• Regulatory, environmental and corporate representation for fishing and fish processing companies
• International trade and carriage of goods
• Collisions and other casualty losses
• Purchase and sale of vessels
• Charter parties
• Maritime products liability litigation
• Environmental regulatory and litigation practice

Representative Matters

• Bath Iron Works – Regulatory, labor, environmental and other matters
• Various underwriters at Lloyds of London – wide ranging – personal injury action involving litigation and other activities in U.S., England, and Canada
• In re Marine Hose Antitrust Litigation, MDL No. 1888 – as court-appointed co-lead counsel for a class direct purchasers of marine hose, Preti Flaherty has recovered $21.7 million in settlements.

Other

• British Underwriters – Represented Canadian shipyard in U.S. in personal injury and business loss litigation
• Defended international shipping companies from creditor actions
• General legal work, including corporate, regulatory and environmental, and litigation on behalf of a number of small shipyards and other waterfront businesses
• Represented a number of banks in vessel foreclosures
• Handled disputes over treasure salvage
• Represented insured and insurers in oil pollution cases