Jan M. Kuylenstierna Attorney At Law

Longstanding maritime and shipping industry perspective. Global reach across U.S. and European maritime interests.

Jan Kuylenstierna focuses his practice on maritime and admiralty law, bringing a longstanding background in the maritime and shipping industries to his representation of clients in complex commercial, litigation, and regulatory matters. He represents steamship lines, marinas, boatyards, ship repair facilities, boat manufacturers, freight forwarders, marine retailers, insurers, and other maritime interests throughout the United States and Europe. His work encompasses matters involving ocean cargo and shipping, cargo damage, insurance coverage, environmental claims, vessel collisions, vessel allisions, personal injury, and wrongful death.

Jan represents clients in litigation and arbitration proceedings in the United States and internationally, as well as in regulatory matters before the Federal Maritime Commission, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the U.S. Coast Guard. His prior work in the shipping industry provides practical insight into maritime operations and the commercial considerations underlying cargo and other shipping-related disputes.

• Notable Work
  • Led the defense of an ocean carrier in securing dismissal of Jones Act and general maritime law claims on grounds of forum non conveniens, with the dismissal affirmed on appeal.
  • Led the defense of a German supplier in obtaining dismissal of Jones Act and general maritime law claims in state court, with the dismissal affirmed on appeal.
  • Instrumental in obtaining federal court rulings that non-pecuniary damages were not recoverable in wrongful death claims brought by the survivors of Jones Act seamen.
  • Led the defense of a dive support vessel in securing dismissal of a Jones Act claim brought by a species observer for lack of personal jurisdiction.
  • Instrumental in obtaining summary judgment for an entity providing radar support in an action brought under the Defense Base Act.
  • Helped secure dismissals and summary judgments against cargo claimants based on the statute of limitations under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (COGSA).
  • Instrumental in obtaining COGSA limitations of liability judgments in both state and federal courts.
  • Instrumental in obtaining a favorable jury verdict on application of the borrowed servant rule.
  • Led the defense of an employer in a state workers’ compensation proceeding, securing dismissal of the claim based on employee fraud.
  • Led the successful defense of a boatyard against a personal injury claim arising from an accident on a dock.
  • Obtained a judgment for the owner of a shrimp trawler in an action against an engine manufacturer for vessel damage.
  • Obtained dismissals in state and federal courts based on the enforcement of mandatory forum selection clauses.
  • Successfully defended marinas against claims arising from fire-related property damage.
  • Successfully defended a boatyard, securing involuntary dismissal of the plaintiff’s claims at trial.
  • Instrumental in successfully asserting federal preemption of longshore wrongful death claims brought under the Florida Wrongful Death Act.
• Recognition
  • Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent® Rating
• Media
  • "After Closing Firm, Miami 3-Lawyer Maritime Team Opts for GrayRobinson," Daily Business Review, September 1, 2026
  • "GrayRobinson Grows Maritime Group With Veteran Attys," Law360, September 1, 2026
• Affiliations
  • Dade County Bar Association
  • The Florida Bar
  • Maritime Law Association of the United States
  • New York State Bar Association
  • Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute
  • Swedish-American Bar Association
• Credentials
  • J.D., University of Miami School of Law, 1983
  • B.A., Loyola Marymount University, 1980
• Admissions
  • Florida
  • New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern, Middle, and Northern Districts of Florida
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court
• Languages
  • Spanish
  • Swedish, working knowledge
  • American Sign Language, working knowledge