As befits a law firm inextricably linked with Maine and its seagoing traditions, the attorneys in Verrill Dana’s Maritime Group bring to the table an array of legal, technical and industry knowledge and experience drawn from several legal disciplines that make the Group unique among American law firm maritime practices. While we are involved in the typical handling of transactions involving vessels, waterfront facilities and marinas, as well as traditional admiralty-based litigation, Verrill Dana’s Maritime Group also focuses on the burgeoning U.S. and global marine technology industry that serves off-shore energy, defense, commercial shipping and maritime security endeavors world-wide. Several of Verrill Dana’s maritime attorneys have been or are currently active in maritime industry endeavors and affairs, as well as teaching these issues at law schools, speaking at national and international bar and industry conferences and writing for national marine trade publications. The firm is a leading member of MOTN, the Marine & Oceanographic Technology Network and maintains a lively blog
Representative matters handled by our Maritime Group attorneys include:
- As general counsel for a Massachusetts-based manufacturer and distributor of one the first shipboard water ballast treatment systems to receive approval under IMO Type Approvals, European Union directives and the U.S. Coast Guard AMS program, represented the client in a private placement of shares that raised $10 million in new capital. The client’s systems are currently in use aboard merchant vessels operating between Europe, Asia and the Americas.
- Representation of a marine electronics manufacturer in contractual matters with NAVSEA, (Naval Sea Systems Command) for the U.S. Navy’s submarine fleet;
- General counsel for a Maine-based software company whose augmented-reality technology is use by the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard and in commercial navigation;
- Defense of a foreign marine electronics manufacturer’s U.S. patent rights to a proprietary emergency personal locator beacon technology;
- Counsel to a marine industry consulting firm advising clients on penetrating the U.S. maritime market and obtaining Coast Guard approvals for their products;
- Seizures of vessel in enforcement of maritime liens for creditor shipyards as well as counsel to ship and yacht owners facing imposition of federal and state maritime liens;
- Representation of the seller of a leading recreational and commercial marine and GPS electronics manufacturer;
- Representation of a maritime products and services company in asbestos and product liability issues.
