MARITIME AND ADMIRALTY

We maintain a very diverse maritime and admiralty caseload, ranging from traditional blue and brown water cases to yacht cases and scuba cases, and from charter parties and cargo disputes to marine insurance contracts and commercial vessel permitting disputes.

• Blue and brown water cases
• Yacht cases
• Scuba diving cases
• Marine insurance disputes
• P&I Club representation
• Stevedore and terminal operator liability
• Cargo cases
• Charter Parties
• Regulatory, licensing and permits
• Security and compliance with (post 9/11) initiatives and regulations
• Ship finance and documentation

NON-MARITIME TRANSPORTATION

Our non-maritime transportation practice consists of the representation of domestic and foreign companies engaged in intermodal, motor truck and air transportation of goods and passengers.

• Motor carriers
• Air carriers
• Owner-operators
• NAFTA
• Cargo
• Customs and logistics
• Regulatory, licensing and permits
• Security and compliance with new initiatives and regulations
• Finance

INSURANCE

We represent domestic and foreign insurers in first and third party cases, and in business disputes and litigation.

Insurance Fraud

• Investigate suspicious claims
• Prosecute civil actions for rescission and fraud
• Assist law enforcement with criminal investigations
• Testify as material witnesses in criminal cases
• Work with SUI and DOI to prosecute fraudsters

Insurance Bad Faith

• Defend bad faith cases
• Prepare insurance witnesses to testify
• Reduce punitive damage risk
• Investigate claims
• Draft denial letters

Insurance Defense

• Defend policyholders in dual capacity role
• Adhere to billing guidelines and procedures
• Generate monthly reports

Declaratory Relief and Coverage

• Investigate claims
• Prepare coverage opinions
• Institute declaratory relief actions
• Participate in arbitrations
• Institute subrogation actions

Witness Preparation and File Review

• Strategic alliance with renowned trial consultant
• Work closely with witnesses before testifying
• Analyze claims and underwriting files before denials
• Conduct seminars for insurers

GENERAL CIVIL LITIGATION

We also take on difficult or unusual cases in all areas of law and in all jurisdictions. We frequently assist other firms with their high-exposure cases, and with their preparations for trial and appeal.

Personal Injury

• Represent plaintiffs and defendants in serious injury cases

Products Liability

• Defend manufacturers and distributors in defective product cases

Environmental

• Defend insurers against pollution claims
• Ensure that clients are in compliance with laws
• Defend businesses in environmental cases

Toxic Torts

• Defend insurers and businesses in toxic tort cases

International

• Advise on compliance with NAFTA
• Interpret and prepare commercial documents
• Assist with comparison of local laws, customs and protocols

Public Entity

• Represent public entities in tort cases
• Advise on governmental immunities

CLASS ACTION AND UNFAIR BUSINESS PRACTICES

We also defend our transportation and non-transportation clients in class action and unfair business practice cases in state and federal court.

Class Action Defense

• Push for early hearing on certification
• Resolve legal issues through summary judgment
• Reduce class size through aggressive investigation
• Try reduced class size cases

Unfair Business Practice Defense

• Establish federal links
• Remove cases to federal court
• Push for early hearing on size and scope of claim
• Resolve on legal grounds through summary judgment
• Try reduced size and scope cases

We also prosecute class action and unfair business practice cases on behalf of consumers and individuals.