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Jeff Vogel contributed an article to Marine News discussing the crucial maritime decisions the 116th Congress faces this year that will have a long lasting impact on our nation’s security and economy.
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Successful resolution of maritime disputes requires not just knowledge of the specific governing body of law, but also a deep understanding of the maritime industry. From Himalaya Clauses to bilge strainers, limitation of liability and fire statute issues, maritime insolvencies to mortgage foreclosure and maritime lien enforcement proceedings, Cozen O’Connor’s attorneys have detailed maritime knowledge born from decades of extensive experience working within the industry, both nationally and internationally. We put this substantial experience to use helping our U.S. and non-U.S. maritime clients navigate complex disputes around the world.
Our attorneys regularly handle complex maritime litigation. We have appeared before state and federal trial and appellate courts, federal and state administrative agencies (such as the Federal Maritime Commission, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Foreign Asset Control and U.S. Maritime Administration), international and domestic arbitration panels, boards of contract appeals, Congress and international bodies. Cozen O’Connor has successfully prosecuted and defended arbitration proceedings in the United States and overseas.
We represent a diverse array of maritime clients, including the world’s largest ocean carriers, port and terminal operators, financial institutions, marinas, offshore platform operators, offshore labor providers, tug and barge companies, crew boat and offshore supply vessel operators, oil companies, products manufacturers, oilfield services and construction companies, cruise ship companies, inland marine and air carriers, shipyards and drydocks, P&I Clubs, chassis pools, classification societies, and Fortune 500 companies with containerized and bulk shipping capacity.
The firm assists maritime clients in all types of marine casualties (e.g., collisions, allisions, groundings, container losses and sinkings), as well as loss of cargo and pollution claims. We serve our maritime clients in all manner of statutory claims including the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA), the Jones Act, the Death On the High Seas Act (DOHSA), the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (COGSA), and the Harter Act. We handle commercial disputes arising from charter party agreements, joint ventures and shareholder disputes, construction and shipbuilding contracts, liner service agreements, terminal and equipment sales, leases and equipment maintenance, financing arrangements and other agreements unique to the maritime industry. Our attorneys handle coverage disputes with regard to cargo, hull, general average and marine general liability insurance on behalf of marine insurers and insurance syndicates.
Cozen O’Connor regularly counsels clients in disputes to which the U.S. government is a party. We respond to major government investigations, administrative and criminal enforcement actions, appeals of agency decisions to the courts, and high-profile criminal and civil litigation. Cozen O’Connor defends or challenges government contract awards, protests deficiencies in solicitations, and handles disputes that arise during the execution of government contracts.