The attorneys in our firm have been actively engaged in the practice of maritime law for more than forty years. We have the largest maritime practice of any law firm between Philadelphia and Cincinnati. Areas of concentration include the defense of Jones Act claims, general personal injury and property damage claims insured under P&I policies, Hull policy claims, LSHWA proceedings, and regulatory agency investigations and negotiations (including Coast Guard and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers).

The Maritime Group handles all forms of maritime proceedings, including jury and non-jury trials in state and federal courts, limitation of liability petitions, administrative hearings before state and federal agencies, and statutory and common law arbitration hearings. Its members practice in all courts in western Pennsylvania (22 counties), West Virginia, and Ohio. Members of the group have argued appeals and motions before the Superior and Supreme Courts of Pennsylvania, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third and Fourth Circuits, and various state administrative agencies.

Our clients have included towing companies, commercial passenger vessels, salvage companies, landing owners, pleasure marina operators, pleasure craft owners, terminal facilities, and marine underwriters. We have represented clients referred to us by other maritime defense lawyers when the case was to be tried in Western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, and/or West Virginia. We have also acted as counsel for steel and coal companies in maritime-related matters. We serve as General Counsel for the Port of Pittsburgh Commission.

The firm is approved counsel for AI Marine, ACE-USA, CVStarr, Navigators Insurance Company, CNA Marine, Great American Insurance Company, Fireman’s Fund Marine, Liberty International Underwriters, Chubb, and Nationwide, among others.

2005 – High Water Events. Represented towing companies in serious lock and dam incident involving fatalities and formal coast guard investigations and drainage of navigation pool.

1996 - Ohio River Floods. In one action, represented landing terminal owner in multiple suits arising from record river heights in Cumberland Pool. In another action, represented towing company/landing operator in suits arising from a barge breakaway from the landing during record river flooding.

Pleasure Craft Marina Breakaway. Represented owner of 100-vessel pleasure craft marina whose docking system broke away in high water. Defended claims of downriver marina severely damaged by client’s breakaway docks as well as claims of boat owners whose boats were moored at client’s marina.

1990 - New Year’s Day Flood. Represented towing company in multiple barge breakaways arising from high water conditions. Defended numerous damage claims and prosecuted damage claims on behalf of towing company.

1985 - Election Day Flood (Maxwell #2). Represented towing company whose barges broke away from landing during high water. Defended numerous damage claims and prosecuted damage claims on behalf of towing company.

1982 - Maxwell Lock & Dam Event (Maxwell #1). Represented towing company in incident arising from inability of its towboat to reach safe harbor in massive ice run out. Barge in tow became lodged in dam gate requiring draining of the 18-mile pool to free barge. Pursued limitation proceeding and contribution suit for lock and dam salvage expenses and land-based property damage claims caused when pool of dam was lowered.

1981 - J&L Barge Breakaway. Matter involved more than 55 barges. Represented bareboat charterer of tank barge in limitation proceeding. Client’s barge broke away from moorings and collided with downstream barges, precipitating breakaway of J&L Steel barge fleet and resulting in numerous claims and suits.