Best Lawyers in America for Admiralty and Maritime Law

Jim Silverstein joined Kean Miller in 2012 and is based in New Orleans, Louisiana. His practice focuses on Admiralty and Maritime Law and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants , along with matters involving energy, construction , environmental , and commercial litigation . Jim has substantial litigation and trial experience representing clients in admiralty and maritime disputes, energy and oil and gas matters, and complex product liability litigation. He regularly defends manufactu...

Since being admitted to the California Bar in 1976, John Hillsman has tried more than 100 maritime personal injury cases to verdict or judgment and has represented seamen, fishermen, divers, pile drivers, dredgermen, marine construction workers, tugboat hands, and cruise ship passengers in state and federal courts all over the country, from Seattle to San Diego and Honolulu to Fort Lauderdale. He has appeared at every level of decision, all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court, published seve...

David C. Rash is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Admiralty and Maritime Law, Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. David C., who practices law in Weston, Florida, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice...

Zoë Vermeulen advises businesses on labor and employment matters, commercial litigation , offshore energy , and admiralty and maritime law. Based in New Orleans, Louisiana, she represents employers across a range of industries and focuses on practical legal guidance that aligns with each client’s operational and business objectives while accounting for an evolving regulatory environment. As part of her Litigation – Labor and Employment practice at Kean Miller , Zoë works...

Kala Sellers is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Admiralty and Maritime Law and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Kala, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kala is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

James P. Roy is a senior partner and managing member of the plaintiffs' personal injury firm Domengeaux Wright Roy Edwards LLC in Lafayette, Louisiana. Focusing his practice on civil litigation, he represents plaintiffs throughout Louisiana and the Gulf coast involving vehicular accidents, admiralty and maritime law, personal injury and wrongful death. Mr. Roy has served as co-lead class counsel for the BP Oil Spill, Deepwater Horizon multi-district federal litigation (MDL 2179). He has obtai...

Marty McLeod practices in the area of marine and energy and business litigation law. He represents U.S. and foreign vessel owners as well as offshore energy companies in a variety of marine and energy matters, including regulatory issues, business counseling, bankruptcy, and property, loss of use, pollution and commercial disputes. Marty serves as the practice coordinator of Phelps Dunbar's New Orleans admiralty group and is a current member of the firm's Operations Committee. Prior to enteri...

Miles Clements is a recognized trial attorney having tried 100 cases to judgment. He practices at the trial and appellate levels in both state and federal court as well as in specialized jurisdictions throughout the country. His reputation spans from the marine and energy sector to defending the business and commercial needs of privately held and publicly traded companies. Miles is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the highest distinction of trial lawyers in the United States...

Mark Murakami practices in the firm's Dispute Resolution, Real Estate, Construction, and Business & Commercial Law practice groups. His focus is on complex commercial disputes, land use negotiation and litigation, environmental, and general civil litigation. He has appeared in all federal and states courts in Hawaii, most of the administration boards and commissions, and is licensed in the U.S. Supreme Court, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and Court of Federal Claims. He is rated by Marti...

David A. Bowling is the managing partner of The Bowling Law Firm APLC , in New Orleans, Louisiana . After spending most of his career focusing on the defense of malpractice and other complex medical cases, Mr. Bowling has now transitioned to a plaintiffs' practice. He and his firm concentrate on the representation of individuals and families in medical malpractice , catastrophic injury (including brain and spinal cord injury ), and other serious personal injury litigation. Mr. Bowling has bee...

Bret LeBreton is a partner in the Maritime Practice Group and a member of the insurance coverage team. He has practiced in all facets of maritime, energy, and marine and non-marine insurance law. Bret has represented assureds, underwriters, and other industry participants in a broad range of disputes involving hull, cargo, builder's risk, P&I, MEL, CGL, control of well, and excess and umbrella policies. He has given opinions regarding coverage, prepared reservations of rights, and advised...

Lisa M. Kaufmann is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Admiralty and Maritime Law, Railroad Law and Transportation Law. Lisa M., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lisa M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Gary Hemphill practices in the areas of admiralty litigation. His practice involves matters in personal injury, cargo, oil and energy, finance and FD&D. Prior to joining Phelps Dunbar, Mr. Hemphill was with the Terriberry, Carroll, & Yancey, L.L.P. law firm in New Orleans.

George J. Fowler, III, is a partner in the Maritime Practice Group, where he focuses on litigation, arbitration, and dispute resolution. George Fowler is an internationally recognized trial lawyer known for his successful record trying hundreds of cases to juries and judges, including numerous high-profile matters, complex litigation, and cases of national concern. George has written and lectured extensively on private international law and world trade and is active in promoting trade and inv...

Mikhail Paltiyevich is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Admiralty and Maritime Law. Mikhail, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mikhail is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mike Timpone is a partner in the Corporate Finance and Business Transactions Groups at Seward & Kissel. Mike is the head of the Firm’s Transportation Finance Group, a cross section of attorneys within the Firm from the Corporate Finance, Corporate Securities, Business Transactions, Litigation, Bankruptcy and Tax Departments with expertise on matters of interest to clients in the transportation industry. He devotes a large part of his time to the representation of U.S. and non-U.S. b...