Jeff brings over 30 years of extensive experience representing and advising clients, members of Congress, and federal agencies on a wide range of legislative, regulatory, and policy matters. His clients benefit from his deep understanding of maritime and transportation law, cultivated through senior leadership roles within the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Possessing a profound grasp of the legislative process and a proven ability to navigate complex policy challenges, Jeff played a pivotal role in drafting and advancing significant maritime legislation from 2009 through 2019.
Most recently, Jeff served as chief counsel for the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) within the Department of Transportation, where he oversaw a team of 39 legal and non-legal professionals. In this capacity, he provided counsel to the Office of the Secretary of Transportation on critical maritime issues, including deepwater port licensing and spearheaded policy initiatives aimed at combating sexual assault and harassment within the U.S. merchant marine.
Prior to his tenure at MARAD, Jeff held the position of senior civilian attorney in the U.S. Coast Guard Judge Advocate General’s Office of Maritime and International Law. There, he provided advice on matters encompassing marine safety, security, and environmental protection, including cybersecurity, vessel inspection, documentation, and safety, merchant vessel personnel, navigation, aquatic invasive species, ports and waterways safety and security, and marine casualty investigations. Recognized as the Coast Guard's subject matter authority on federal preemption, he provided counsel on the effects of federal legislation on states, localities, and tribes. He also represented the U.S. in international forums such as the International Maritime Organization and the United Nations.
Earlier in his career, Jeff dedicated 10 years as senior Democratic counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, advising key members and staff on maritime and marine environmental law, policy, and legislation. He was central to the drafting and advancement of numerous significant bills, resolutions, and amendments, including the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act of 2018, the Port State Measures Agreement Act of 2015, the Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Enforcement Act of 2015, the Shark Conservation Act of 2010, and various Coast Guard authorization acts and international fishery agreement implementing acts. He also managed the Committee’s inquiries into several high-profile marine casualties, including the Deepwater Horizon incident in 2010. His experience also includes eight years in private practice, advising clients on diverse regulatory and legislative matters. Jeff began his career as a legislative aide to the Hon. John Breaux in the U.S. Senate and as executive assistant to the Hon. W.J. Tauzin in the U.S. House of Representatives.
For the past 10 years, Jeff has taught Admiralty and Maritime Law as an adjunct faculty member at Georgetown University Law Center. He holds a B.A. in political science from Louisiana State University and a J.D. from Catholic University.