Admiralty
Phelps offers its Admiralty clients the advantage of significant experience, established regional resources along the gulf south and a global industry perspective to handle virtually any maritime matter.
One of the largest Admiralty and Maritime practice groups in the country, Phelps has over 25 lawyers across the Gulf region dedicated to handling our clients’ opportunities and challenges on the regional, national and international level. The firm represents a diverse client base that ranges from small offshore service companies to multinational corporations in areas including maritime contracts, international shipping, maritime finance, environmental issues, litigation, and services to the oil industry operating in the Gulf of Mexico. Recognized internationally, the group excels in cases ranging from complex emergent situations to routine maritime claims, and often consults with the firm’s lawyers in the four other practice groups to better meet the needs of our clients. Additionally, because maritime occurrences often call for urgent action, we maintain a 24/7 Emergency Response on-call system so that we are available to our clients at any time.
Litigation
Our lawyers routinely litigate in matters involving collision and personal injury defense (inland marine vessels, oceangoing vessels, passenger vessels, drill rigs, and other offshore equipment), defense of cargo claims, workers' compensation, maritime commercial disputes and marine insurance coverage. In addition, the firm has particular experience in mass disaster, major pollution, toxic tort and class action litigation for both marine and land based claims.
Regulatory
Our lawyers appear before state and federal regulatory bodies such as the United States Coast Guard, Federal Maritime Commission, United States Department of Labor and the National Transportation Safety Board. We also routinely call upon the firm’s Labor and Employment lawyers to assist in counseling our maritime clients in specialized areas such as immigration.
Commercial and Non-Litigation Counseling
The lawyers in our maritime practice are routinely asked to render marine insurance counseling, marine insurance coverage evaluation, contract drafting and negotiation, charter drafting and negotiation, and marine financing advices.
To contact an admiralty lawyer regarding any maritime matter, either click on the "Related Professionals" link to search for an individual lawyer or address your message to our general admiralty email address - PhelpsAdmiralty@phelps.com. For marine emergencies, contact our 24 hour emergency line at 504-779-2024.