Maritime

Overview

Whiteford serves as general counsel to the National Passenger Vessel Association, and provides a wide array of marine-focused advisory services for vessel owners, operators and suppliers, especially passenger and excursion vessel operators.

The services we provide include vessel construction and financing representation, U.S. Coast Guard regulatory advice and counsel, defense of U.S.C.G. Notices of Violation, docking facility leases, vessel charter agreements, Americans With Disabilities Act compliance, marine employment law, and marine wage and hour laws. Whiteford has maintained the Passenger Vessel Association's "Legal Hotline" since 1989 addressing issues for vessel operators in all areas of the United States.

Name
Title
Contact
Steven E. Bers
Partner
Emailsbers@whitefordlaw.com
410.347.8724
James R. Jeffcoat
Partner
Emailjjeffcoat@whitefordlaw.com
410.347.8736
Razvan E. Miutescu
Partner
Emailrmiutescu@whitefordlaw.com
410.347.8744
Charles L. Simmons, Jr.
Partner
Emailcsimmons@whitefordlaw.com
410.347.9491

Maryland Is Committed to the Port of Baltimore

As President Joe Biden returns to Baltimore Wednesday, to visit the Port of Baltimore and discuss his infrastructure bill, he should know that the state is committed to the growth of the port. Recent projects include the arrival of four new massive cranes; the addition of a second, 50-foot berth at Baltimore’s Seagirt Marine Terminal; and the beginning in earnest of the long-awaited increase in height of the Howard Street Tunnel (HST) to accept double-stacked rail cars.

Client Alert: U.S. Supreme Court Holds Duty of Safe-Berth is a Warranty, Regardless of Diligence or Fault

In November 2004, the 748-foot, oil tanker ATHOS I embarked on a 1,900 mile voyage from Puerto Miranda, Venezuela to Paulsboro, New Jersey laden with heavy crude oil.  In the final 900 feet of that voyage, as she made her approach to the berth in Paulsboro on the Delaware River, the flukes of an abandoned ship anchor punctured the single-hull of ATHOS I.  Approximately 264,000 gallons of cargo spilled into the river. 

Whiteford Ranked in Top Tier in 43 Practices, 22 Nationally

Whiteford is pleased to announce that “Best Law Firms” has awarded the firm exemplary rankings for 2025.  Twenty-two of the firm’s practices are ranked at the national level, and the firm’s Bankruptcy, Construction and Labor & Employment litigation practices have been recognized with national Tier 1 rankings. 

A Record 87 Whiteford Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2024, Ten Selected as “Ones to Watch”

87 lawyers from Whiteford, Taylor & Preston have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 (copyright 2023 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken S.C.). New practice areas of recognition include CleanTech Law and Entertainment and Sports Law. The lawyers selected are based in the firm’s Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington offices. Client comments are posted on the Best Lawyers website, at bestlawfirms.com.

73 Whiteford Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2023, Six Selected as “Lawyer of the Year”

73 lawyers from Whiteford, Taylor & Preston have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2023 (copyright 2022 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken S.C.). The lawyers selected are based in the firm’s Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C. offices. Client comments are posted on the U.S. News & Best Lawyers web site, at bestlawfirms.com.

U.S. News Awards Top-Tier Rankings to Record 45 Whiteford Practices, Including 21 Nationally

Whiteford, Taylor and Preston is pleased to announce that U.S. News and World Report - Best Lawyers ® “Best Law Firms” has awarded the firm exemplary rankings for 2022.  Twenty-one of the firm’s practices are ranked at the national level, and the firm’s bankruptcy and Construction Litigation practices have been recognized with national Tier 1 rankings. At the state level, new recognitions include Admiralty & Maritime Law, Nonprofit/Charities Law, Patent Law and Privacy and Data Security Law.