John's practice focuses on transportation and maritime law. Areas of experience include a wide range of maritime litigation, including cases involving breach of maritime contracts (e.g. charters and marine construction), environmental matters (e.g. oil spills, oily water separator problems, marine sanctuary issues), product liability (e.g. lashing gear, asbestos and dangerous cargo cases), marine insurance coverage disputes, salvage, collisions, cargo claims, demurrage claims, fire and property damage, shipyard liability, and death and injury cases, and criminal, civil and administrative proceedings regarding regulatory compliance and immigration issues. Non-litigation experience includes advising clients about regulatory compliance, drafting and negotiating transportation contracts (e.g. service agreements, voyage/time charters, towing agreements, bills of lading, and trucking/air transportation contracts). Also experienced in general civil litigation including disputes involving real estate, Article III ADA cases, business contracts, and general tort cases.
Representative Experience
Handled federal court litigation in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, Pennsylvania, California and New York.
Won summary judgments in marine insurance coverage cases on behalf of both the insurer and the insured and handled cases involving the full range of marine insurance- H&M, P&I, pollution, FD&D, war risk, yacht and cargo.
Represented ship owners in contract claims against the government.
Represented ship owners and charterers in breach of charter-party cases and arbitrations.
Won summary judgment for vessels in Jones Act cases on issues of liability, status, and damages.
Handled numerous Jones Act cases.
Handled numerous cases involving injuries and death within admiralty jurisdiction under section 905(b) of the LHWCA, DOHSA cases, and general maritime law.
Represented parties in salvage cases involving vessels and treasure.
Handled marine product liability cases involving lashing gear, asbestos or transportation of dangerous cargoes.
Assisted clients with transportation issues involving containers held for demurrage or to secure in rem claims.
Represented vessel owners in collision cases.
Handled numerous investigations involving alleged discrepancies in oil record books and matters involving allegations relating to inoperable incinerators or defective oily water separators.
Represented both terminals and vessel owners in cases involving stevedoring and breach of implied warranties in cases involving fire, allision, or other property damage.
Represented vessel owners in criminal prosecutions arising out of oil spills and alleged violations of immigration laws.
Publications
Author, Book Review, Admiralty Cases and Materials, 30 Tul. Mar. Law J. 535, Winter/Summer 2006.
Co-author, Mistaken LHWCA Compensation Payments: Subrogation Lien or Third Party Credit?, 30 J. of Mar. L. & Comm, January 1999.
Author, Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute, Fourth Circuit Review, January 1998.
Author, Jury Trials in Admiralty, 29 Moore's Federal Practice, § 704.8 (3d ed.) January 1997.
Author, Rule 14(c): Special Rules for Admiralty and Maritime Claims, 29 Moore's Federal Practice, § 704.06[1] to [2][1] (3d ed.) January 1997.
Contributing Author, ABA Section of Antitrust Law, Antitrust Law Developments, Ocean Shipping (4th ed.).
Author, Comment, Multiple Murder, Multiple Punishment and Double Jeopardy in Virginia, 9 Geo Mason L. Rev. 107.
Public Service
Propeller Club of Hampton Roads, Board Member
Honorary Consul of Iceland, 2000 - present
Adjunct Professor of Admiralty Law, College of William & Mary, 2001 - present
Virginia Opera, Board Member
Edmarc Hospice for Children, Board Member
Other Distinctions
Recognized by Best Lawyers in America in Maritime law (2007-2012).
Selected by Law & Politics as a Virginia Super Lawyer in Transportation/Maritime (2006-2011).
Recognized by Virginia Business Magazine as a top-rated transportation/admiralty lawyer in Virginia.
AV rated by Martindale Hubbell.
Work Experience
Partner, Troutman Sanders LLP, 2009-present
Partner, Hunton & Williams, 1996-2009
Associate, Hunton & Williams 1988-1996
Law Clerk to the Honorable Robert G. Doumar, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, 1987-1988
United States Marine Corp, 1981-1984
Memberships
· American Bar Association
· Maritime Law Association of the United States
· Average Adjuster's Association
· Southeast Admiralty Law Institute
· Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference
· American Inn of Court