CO-CHAIR, MARITIME PRACTICE GROUP
Jeanne Grasso is a member of our Maritime Emergency Response Team (“MERT”).
Jeanne Grasso focuses her practice on maritime, international, and environmental law for clients worldwide. Jeanne counsels owners and operators of vessels, charterers, cargo owners, and waterfront facilities and terminals. Her practice involves:
- Regulatory compliance counseling related to the U.S. Coast Guard; Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”); U.S. Customs and Border Protection; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and Maritime Administration, among other federal and state agencies, including providing advice regarding ballast water, air emissions, EPA’s Vessel General Permit, port State control, the Jones Act, and maritime security
- Compliance counseling related to International Maritime Organization conventions, including the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (“MARPOL”), the International Ballast Water Convention, and the international Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea
- Internal and grand jury investigations
- Defense of administrative, civil, and criminal enforcement actions
- Counseling on risk mitigation strategies related to pollution incidents around the world
- Maritime environmental compliance and training in connection with federal and state requirements pollution incident response
- Coastwise trade matters, including the Jones Act, towing, passengers, dredging, and salvage
- Identifying administrative and legislative solutions in connection with maritime and environmental compliance challenges
Jeanne writes and lectures extensively on criminal enforcement of environmental laws and U.S. Coast Guard regulatory matters. She also conducts training sessions and helps clients establish compliance programs in an effort to avoid enforcement actions.
Before she joined Blank Rome, Jeanne worked in the Office of Congressional Affairs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (“NOAA”) handling fisheries and oceans matters, and served as Program Manager for the National Fish and Seafood Promotional Council. She also served as staff to the House of Representatives’ Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries.
Jeanne is highly ranked by Chambers USA for her work on shipping regulatory matters, where a client source stated, “When I think of her, I think of Coast Guard matters, and I think highly of her.” Chambers sources also described her as a “one of the most widely respected marine environmental lawyers.” Clients said that she is “very tied into the sector and the regulators, she is efficient, knowledgeable and experienced.”
Outside the Firm
Jeanne’s passion is SCUBA diving. She is also an avid golfer, hiker, and cyclist, and a die-hard Notre Dame fan.