Arthur R. Kraatz
Partner
Arthur Kraatz approaches complex admiralty claims of all sizes with comfort and experience. He regularly represents clients in admiralty matters, ranging from complex vessel collisions to the defense of personal injury claims, as well as issues related to compliance with Jones Act coastwise trade and cabotage regulations. Maritime clients, including vessel owners and P&I clubs, benefit from his understanding of local, state, and federal courts and his experience as a federal law clerk. He also frequently represents clients opposing and responding to third-party subpoenas, manages complex electronic discovery efforts, and secures and defends against time-sensitive injunctive proceedings.
Arthur’s admiralty practice regularly involves:
- Maritime collisions
- Vessel arrests
- Contract disputes
- Cargo disputes
- Defense of maritime personal injury claims
- Injunction proceedings
- Appeals
Experience
- Obtained federal court judgment enforcing seaman’s agreement to arbitrate personal injury claim against vessel owner and successfully defended that judgment on appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court.
- Lead attorney at jury trial defending major insurer against $100+ million bad faith demand involving riverboat repairs. Successfully reduced the claim value by securing directed verdict dismissing bad faith allegations and further obtained jury verdict of just $30,000.
- Served as lead trial counsel and obtained favorable judgment, after trial on the merits, of claims against vessel repair company in Louisiana state court suit.
- Secured federal court judgment confirming $200 million arbitration award in favor of vessel owner as part of international multiparty suit involving vessel explosion and served as lead appellate counsel before U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
- Successfully tried breach of contract matter for a deepwater exploration and production company in Louisiana state court and achieved verdict substantially less than pre-trial settlement offers.
- Obtained federal court ruling dismissing $35 million claim by former food supplier against client, a national company owning multiple restaurant brands.