Admiralty and Maritime

The GrayRobinson Admiralty and Maritime Team provides comprehensive legal services across the full spectrum of issues faced by the maritime industry – from high-stakes litigation and casualty response to complex regulatory, transactional, and risk management matters. We represent shipowners and operators, shipyards, marine insurers (including London market and P&I Clubs), cruise lines, charterers, and maritime service providers throughout the United States and internationally.

Our team includes nationally recognized maritime litigators with decades of courtroom and industry experience. In addition to a deep background in maritime collision, cargo, insurance, and personal injury litigation, we provide business counsel on shipyard contracts, charter negotiations, maritime finance, and regulatory compliance, further strengthening GrayRobinson’s global maritime capabilities.

Known for our responsiveness, technical knowledge, and business-focused approach, we represent clients in some of the nation’s most significant vessel collisions, cargo damage claims, marine casualties, limitation of liability actions, maritime liens, salvage disputes, and environmental incidents. Our work also encompasses ship repair and construction contracts, marine insurance coverage, and regulatory compliance matters involving the U.S. Coast Guard, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and international maritime conventions.

  • Cruise Line

    We have an extensive history advising leading cruise lines on a broad range of operational, transactional, and litigation issues. Working closely with in-house counsel and management to help clients mitigate risk, navigate complex regulations, and protect global operations, our experience includes:

    • Licensing and regulatory compliance: Assisting with liquor licensing across all U.S. jurisdictions, including Alaska and Hawaii, covering applications, renewals, officer changes, and compliance for port calls, as well as advising on tied house laws, beverage marketing, and pricing structures to ensure seamless onboard and shoreside operations.
    • Appellate and trial advocacy:  Representing cruise lines in precedent-setting litigation, including appeals that clarify passenger duty-of-care standards and procedural rights under maritime law.
    • Bankruptcy and vendor distress: Guiding cruise lines through the financial distress of vendors, concessionaires, tour operators, and charter partners, helping restructure agreements, mitigate exposure, and protect commercial relationships.
    • Contracts and construction: Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide range of agreements, including passenger tickets, concession and crew contracts, vendor and technology agreements, and ship construction or refurbishment contracts.
    • Medical malpractice and personal injury defense: Representing cruise lines and shipboard medical providers in claims involving medical negligence, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death, and handling personal injury litigation involving crew, guests, and longshoremen, often managing marine casualty investigations, and coordinating with the Coast Guard and other authorities.
    • Technology and IP transactions: Counseling cruise lines on technology procurement, software licensing, and intellectual property agreements tied to onboard innovations, casino systems, and customer experience platforms.
  • Maritime Litigation and Global Matters

    We represent clients in every type of maritime dispute, ranging from cargo and insurance claims to international maritime arbitrations. Representing insurers, shipowners, terminal operators, and government contractors in state, federal, and appellate courts and before arbitral tribunals around the world, we successfully navigate complex and high-stakes cases from start to finish. When incidents occur - such as collisions, groundings, or environmental spills - the GrayRobinson team is often called upon to lead investigations, preserve evidence, manage regulatory communications, and defend or prosecute claims efficiently and effectively.

    Through our global reach, we coordinate proceedings across multiple jurisdictions and handle cross-border and transnational matters, ensuring consistent strategy and cohesive representation. Whether enforcing foreign judgments, advising on international cargo disputes, or handling limitation and salvage proceedings, we provide clients with experienced counsel grounded in deep legal acumen and commercial realism.
     

  • A Steady Hand in a Dynamic Industry

    The GrayRobinson Admiralty and Maritime Team is recognized for combining litigation strength with proactive business counsel. Clients rely on us not just for our skill in responding to crises but also for our ability to anticipate and prevent them. Through ironclad contracts, regulatory insight, and operational guidance tailored to the unique demands of maritime commerce, we serve as trusted and highly effective partners in navigating the often turbulent waters of the admiralty and maritime industry.