Our Maritime Law Division advises vessel owners, cruise lines, shipping companies, lenders, and investors on a wide range of maritime legal matters. With decades of combined experience, including in-house leadership at major cruise lines, our attorneys deliver practical, industry-focused counsel.

Our Maritime Law Division represents vessel owners, cruise lines, shipping companies, lenders, and investors in the complex legal matters that define the maritime industry. With decades of combined experience—including in-house leadership at major cruise lines—our attorneys bring an insider’s perspective to every transaction, regulatory challenge, and strategic decision our clients face. 

We understand that maritime law requires more than legal expertise. It demands attorneys who speak the language of the industry, who have navigated the same waters our clients travel, and who recognize that every deal has operational, regulatory, and commercial dimensions that must align. 

Our attorneys provide counsel across a broad range of maritime legal matters:  

Vessel Transactions and Finance 

Our attorneys structure and negotiate the full range of vessel-related transactions, from acquisitions and sales to complex financing arrangements. We regularly handle ship sale and purchase agreements, vessel construction contracts, secured financings, and lease financing structures. Our experience includes transactions that must comply with the Jones Act and Passenger Vessel Services Act, ensuring our clients maintain the flexibility they need while meeting all applicable regulatory requirements. 

Regulatory Compliance 

Operating vessels means navigating a web of federal and international regulations. We counsel clients on environmental compliance, safety management systems, maritime labor requirements, and Coast Guard regulations. Our team helps clients develop compliance programs that protect their operations and address regulatory inquiries and investigations when they arise. 

Corporate and Transactional Services 

We serve as strategic advisors to maritime businesses on their most significant corporate matters. This includes mergers and acquisitions within the shipping and cruise industries, debt restructurings and workouts, mezzanine financing, cross-border transactions, and ongoing corporate governance. We bring a sector-specific understanding to every deal, recognizing the unique assets, risks, and opportunities that define maritime businesses. 

Shipbuilding Contracts 

Commissioning a new vessel is one of the largest investments a maritime company will make. Our attorneys negotiate and draft shipbuilding contracts that protect our clients’ interests throughout the construction process, addressing specifications, delivery schedules, performance guarantees, and dispute resolution. 

Counsel Across the Maritime Sector 

Our maritime practice serves clients across the waterborne transportation sector, including:  

Industry Experience from the Inside 

Our team includes attorneys who have served in senior legal and executive roles at major cruise lines. This experience means we understand our clients’ businesses—not just their legal issues. We’ve negotiated across the table from shipyards, worked through regulatory audits, and closed financings under tight deadlines. That experience informs every piece of advice we give. 

An End-to-End Approach 

Maritime matters rarely fit into a single legal category. Financing may involve regulatory review. An acquisition may require restructuring. We bring together capabilities in corporate law, finance, and regulatory compliance to address the full scope of our clients’ needs. 

Global Perspective, Practical Focus 

Maritime commerce is inherently international. Our attorneys have extensive experience with cross-border transactions and understand the jurisdictional complexities that come with operating vessels worldwide. At the same time, we remain focused on practical outcomes—getting deals closed, keeping operations compliant, and solving problems efficiently. 

• Florida