Robert B. Hopkins

Robert B. Hopkins

Robert B. Hopkins practices in the area of litigation with a concentration on transportation, commercial and products liability litigation both domestically and internationally. Mr. Hopkins also has represented clients in administrative proceedings before various federal agencies, including the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Coast Guard, the National Transportation Safety Board and the Department of Homeland Security. Mr. Hopkins has also counseled clients in large scale product recalls and reporting obligations under the laws enforced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Mr. Hopkins is a 1988 graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law and a graduate of Trinity College.

Areas Of Practice

· Commercial Litigation

· Products Liability

· Insurance and Reinsurance

Representative Matters

· Capsizing of Passenger Vessel LADY D. Representation of shipowner in various civil actions and before the National Transportation Safety Board with regard to the above capsizing.

· The Elk River Collision Proceedings. Representation of major shipowner in one of the most serious marine collisions to occur in Maryland waters in last 30 years.

· Various Consumer Product Safety Commission Matters. Representation of manufacturers/importers before the Consumer Product Safety Commission in consumer product recall and penalty cases. Advices to manufacturers/importers as to reporting obligations under Consumer Product Safety Commission statutes/regulations.

· Hoechst Celanese Corporation v. Aetna, et al. Lawsuit brought on behalf of international corporation against various insurance companies to recover multimillion-dollar environmental remediation claim.

· U.S. v. Shelton, et al.; National Fireworks Association v. Consumer Product Safety Commission, et al. Consolidated case dealing with certain issues of first impression as to statutes enforced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

· First Marine Distributors v. M/V MARY LOU. Represented foreign ship owner in defeating claims brought relating to oil furnished in Egypt.

· Wallenius Lines North America, et al. v. U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, et al. Represented international transportation company in invalidating federal policy of for dealing with stowaways. Case was influential in subsequent changes in U.S. immigration laws.

Professional Activities

· American Bar Association

· Baltimore City Bar Association

· Federal Bar Association

· Maryland State Bar Association

· Maritime Law Association of the United States

· American Maritime Cases, Vice President

Experience

· Duane Morris LLP
- Partner, 2008-present

· Ober, Kaler, Grimes & Shriver
- Shareholder, 1988-2008

Board Memberships

· Maritime Law Association of the United States, Board Member

· Admiralty Law Institute, Board Member

· American Maritime Cases, Vice President

Civic and Charitable Activities

· Baltimore City Planning Commission
- Commissioner

· Saint David's Episcopal Church
- Stewardship Committee

· Friends of Clifton Mansion

Honors and Awards

· Listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Maritime Law Category

Selected Publications

· "With Efforts Underway to Overhaul the CPSC, Now Is the Time to Re-Examine Consumer Product Safety Compliance Programs," Duane Morris Alert, May 28, 2008

Articles by this firm on Martindale.com