Maritime Law

Spencer Crain serves numerous clients from coast to coast involved in maritime trade and commerce, and is proficient in all aspects of maritime law, including the representation of companies through their maritime insurance, both domestic and foreign. A distinctive body of law which grew out of the international law of the sea, our admiralty practice addresses legal matters related to marine commerce, navigation, shipping, personnel, diving operations, terminal, ports, and sea-going transportation, as well as environmental and maritime insurance coverage issues. We investigate prior to litigation, including forensic evidentiary preservation. When litigation is required, we're equipped with 25 years of work in the courtroom, handling cases in both federal and state courts. From boat owners to energy and shipping support companies, we champion a wide range of issues from injuries or property damage to breach of contract and company sales disputes.

Our affiliations with both the Maritime Law Association of the United States and the Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute keep us up-to-date on the most current topics in maritime law.

Representative service areas include:

• Admiralty law, including injury and death claims, cargo issues, both primary and subrogation, maritime purchase/finance agreements (including ship mortgages), and offshore oilfield claims
• Defense of Jones Act and Death on the High Seas Act Defendants
• Individual boat owners
• Shipyards
• Insurance and Risk Transfer issues within the Marine Industry
• Defense of Longshore and Harborworkers' Act claims
• Environmental litigation, including Coast Guard and other federal disputes
• Vessel seizure and limitation claims