Vessel arrests, cargo claims, maritime liens, and casualty disputes — Florida coast to international waters.
Black Law P.A. provides legal counsel to vessel owners, charterers, and marinas in markets ranging from cargo vessels and lines to cruise ship vendors, privately owned yachts, boat manufacturers and recreation boats and boating outfitters.
We also represent vessel owners or maritime companies against their insurers in insurance coverage disputes and salvage claims. Black Law P.A. has secured seven figure payouts to vessel owners when their insurance has denied coverage. We offer a wide-range of commercially related services including vessel documentation and flag-state compliance issues, advice and drafting of commercial documents for the purchase and sale of vessels for owners and lenders, licensing and vendor agreements, and all documents relating to maritime operations.
Our attorneys have also represented designers, manufacturers, and distributors in a variety of product liability and warranty claims. We counsel our clients on product literature and warranty drafting.
“The process is always dynamic and requires 360-degree awareness of all aspects of an engagement – that’s part of why we enjoy it so much. We are flexible, and sensitive to the need to regularly calibrate strategies, action plans, and case budgets to maintain the clarity of your goals and objectives (which sometimes themselves change as a matter progresses). Light footprint, sustained onslaught, or anything in between… we are adaptable to the needs of your situation because while size and scope may vary, the core principles and our passion for solving your problems are enduring.”
Kelsey Black, Managing Partner
The firm represents vessel owners, charterers, marinas, brokers, and other maritime industry participants in vessel arrests and seizures, maritime liens, cargo and shipping claims, charter-party disputes, marine insurance coverage, salvage claims, and maritime casualty litigation. Both inland and Florida coastal/international waters matters fall within scope.
Most substantive maritime claims fall within federal admiralty jurisdiction and are heard in the U.S. District Courts. Florida has three federal districts — Northern, Middle, and Southern — each with its own maritime docket. The firm regularly practices before all three. Some matters with maritime elements may also proceed in Florida state courts.
Yes. Marine insurance coverage involves some of the most complex policy language in the insurance market, including hull, P&I, and cargo coverages. The firm has substantial experience recovering coverage for vessel owners against insurers that wrongly denied yacht, commercial vessel, and salvage claims.
Vessel arrests, cargo claims, casualty disputes — tell us about your matter.