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PDFJustin is a civil litigation associate focusing on Maritime, Environmental, and International Trade related matters. As a member of the Maritime Practice Group, his practice involves all aspects of Maritime and Admiralty law, including Marine Insurance, Personal Injury, and Vessel Finance. Justin also assists clients in the navigation of certain regulatory concerns involving the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Vessel Documentation Center, the Federal Maritime Commission, and Customs and Border Protection.
Justin joined the firm after receiving his Juris Doctorate and Certificate of Specialization in Maritime Law from Tulane University, where he served as the president of his class and an editor on the Tulane Maritime Law Journal. During law school, Justin clerked for both the Federal Maritime Commission and the United States Department of Justice: Aviation & Admiralty Civil Division in Washington, D.C.
Prior to law school, Justin, a native Virginian, worked in aquaculture for one of the largest oyster companies on the Chesapeake Bay, was a U.S. Sailing Instructor, and a collegiate racer.
Practice Areas
Experience
- Appeared and argued before General District, Circuit, and Federal District Courts throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.
- Provided insurance coverage analysis on a variety of marine insurance issues, including first and third party claims involving maritime personal injury, property damage, and oil spill liability.
- Assisted vessel carrier in expeditiously releasing its vessel from arrest and pursued a successful defense of a bunker broker’s necessaries claim against that vessel.
- Advised aquaculture client as to Jones Act liability and assisted in the drafting of a proposed amendment to the Jones Act concerning aquaculture workers.
- Assisted naval architect in his defense against a shipbuilder’s breach of contract claim, resulting in a defense jury verdict and pursued a successful breach of contract counterclaim against that shipbuilder.
- Worked with a variety of experts in preparation for complex maritime personal injury, property damage, and insurance defense litigation.
- Negotiated and drafted a purchase and sale agreement for an antique wooden yacht, then managed that yacht’s subsequent sale.
Presentations
Invited Speaker, “A Practical Guide to the Limitation of Liability Act”, The Mid-Atlantic Mariner’s Club (October 2019)
Invited Speaker, "Navigating Marine Insurance from the Insured's Point of View," The Virginia Yacht Club (October 2018)
Invited Speaker, “Shedding Light on the Legal Side of Aquaculture,” The Virginia Aquaculture Conference (November 2017)