The information is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice.
5 Area of Focus
5 Notable Representations
5 Insights
Maritime and aviation litigation addresses disputes arising from the operation of vessels and aircraft, including passenger casualty claims, cargo loss and damage, cruise line liability, aerospace and defense contract disputes, and incidents occurring in international and admiralty jurisdictions. These matters are governed by a specialized body of federal and international law — including the Jones Act, DOHSA, the Warsaw and Montreal Conventions, and general maritime law — that operates independently of ordinary civil procedure and requires counsel with experience in this distinct legal environment.
Matters in this practice area range from mass casualty passenger vessel incidents and COVID-19 related cruise litigation, to international arbitration of aerospace and defense procurement disputes and expedition operator liability matters, each presenting complex jurisdictional, regulatory, and evidentiary challenges.
Maritime and aviation disputes arise in legally complex environments governed by specialized federal and international frameworks that differ substantially from ordinary civil litigation. Venue, choice of law, applicable damage limitations, and procedural rules can vary dramatically depending on whether a matter involves domestic waters, international carriage, admiralty jurisdiction, or federal arbitration. Counsel who lacks fluency in these frameworks may miss threshold defenses or fail to anticipate jurisdictional complications that determine the outcome of the case before it reaches trial.
The practice encompasses matters involving:
Independent legal directories have recognized a litigation record spanning complex commercial disputes with international dimensions, including matters arising from ocean vessel operations, international expedition travel, and aerospace and defense contract disputes. Mark F. Raymond has been consistently recognized in Best Lawyers for commercial litigation, bet-the-company litigation, and mergers and acquisitions litigation — areas that encompass the high-stakes international and multi-forum dimensions characteristic of maritime and aviation matters.
Recognized for high-stakes litigation carrying extraordinary commercial and reputational consequences for institutional clients.
Consistently recognized for excellence across complex commercial disputes including those arising from maritime and aviation operations with international dimensions.
Recognized for litigation involving institutional clients and high-value commercial disputes, including international arbitration over aerospace and defense contracts.
Named Lawyer of the Year in Miami by Best Lawyers for complex litigation demanding multi-jurisdictional strategy and commercial acuity.
Insights addressing legal developments and issues related to this practice area.
Billionaire businesswoman client
Reversed $18M claim into $8.8M recovery for client through strategic arbitration.
Carnival Cruise Lines
Successfully defended Federal Court class action lawsuit involving novel Covid-19 issues.
Media Coverage: Paul, Weiss · Los Angeles Times · Reuters
Abercrombie & Kent
Represented luxury travel company in complex business matters.
Media Coverage: Travel Weekly
Middle East’s Wealthiest Families
Represented one of the Middle East’s wealthiest families in Aviation Litigation.
Maritime Estate Control Dispute
Represented Sara Babun in estate battle over control of Aniteal Marine Shipping Corp, a $100M+ shipping and logistics enterprise.
Media Coverage: Florida Bulldog