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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:<ul>	<li>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</li>	<li>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</li>	<li>Internal and grand jury investigations</li>	<li>Defense of administrative, civil, and criminal enforcement actions</li>	<li>Counseling on risk mitigation strategies related to pollution incidents around the world</li>	<li>Maritime environmental compliance and training in connection with federal and state requirements pollution incident response</li>	<li>Coastwise trade matters, including the Jones Act, towing, passengers, dredging, and salvage</li>	<li>Identifying administrative and legislative solutions in connection with maritime and environmental compliance challenges</li></ul>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.”

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ADG Environmental

Navigating U.S. Arrival: A Guide for Vessels on Port Entry and Inspections on Arrival

High Seas Treaty Takes Force: What You Need to Know

IMO Net Zero Shipping Framework: Extraordinary IMO Session Adjourned; Work Continues

MAINBRACE: January 2026

Global Net-Zero Shipping Framework Faces Rough Waters

Jeanne M. Grasso, Brooke Iley, and Samantha Wallack Recognized in Corporate Counsel's 2025 Women, Influence & Power in Law Awards

IMO Net-Zero Shipping Framework: A Crossroads for Global Shipping Regulations

MAINBRACE: September 2025

Shipping’s Newfound Visibility—The Administration’s and Congress’s Efforts to Achieve Maritime Dominance

Blank Rome Attorneys Recognized in 2026 Best Lawyers in America®

Blank Rome Assembles Cross-Practice Trade Enforcement Team Amid Increasing Government Investigations

MAINBRACE: June 2025

FMC Announces Investigation Into Flags of Convenience and Unfavorable Conditions Created by Flagging Practices

A Quick Dive Into U.S. Ballast Water Regulations

Blank Rome Attorneys and Practices Highly Ranked in The Legal 500 United States 2025

Chambers USA 2025 Recognizes Blank Rome Attorneys and Practices

The FMC Announces Investigation into Flags of Convenience and Unfavorable Conditions Created by Flagging Practices

Women in Maritime: Jeanne Grasso’s ‘Serendipitous’ Journey to Maritime Attorney

WISTA Atlantic Forum: Reducing Bureaucracy in the Shipping Industry

Blank Rome Attorneys Named to 2024 Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll

Navigating Emission Control Areas: Operational, Legal, and U.S. Enforcement Risks of MARPOL Annex VI’s Low Sulphur Fuel Requirements

MAINBRACE: March 2025

Small Mussels, Big Problems: A Brief History of Ballast Water Regulations in the United States

EPA Signs Final Vessel Incidental Discharge National Standards of Performance Rule

USCG Considers Organism Viability Testing Methods to Achieve Type Approval of Ballast Water Management Systems

MAINBRACE: October 2024

Blank Rome Attorneys Recognized in 2025 Best Lawyers in America®

USCG Requests Information on Ballast Water Management Procedures Under the Vessel General Permit and USCG Regulations

Blank Rome Attorneys and Practices Highly Ranked in The Legal 500 United States 2024

Chambers USA 2024 Recognizes Blank Rome Attorneys and Practices

A Complex Brew of Issues Fuels Law Firm Growth

Seafarer Detention Under Ship Pollution Law Must Have Limits

MARPOL SOS—It’s Time for the U.S. Coast Guard to Protect Seafarers

MAINBRACE: March 2024

EPA Issues Supplemental Notice of Proposed Ruling to Implement the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act—Finally!

Navigating the Green Transition: Strategies and Solutions for a Sustainable Shipping Industry

Blank Rome: Not Built in a Day

EPA Issues Supplemental Notice of Proposed Ruling to Implement the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act, Finally!

Finally—A Path Forward for Implementation of the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act

MAINBRACE: September 2023

Blank Rome Attorneys Recognized in 2024 Best Lawyers in America®

Ballast Water, Antifouling & Invasive Species

Blank Rome Attorneys and Practices Highly Ranked in The Legal 500 United States 2023

Chambers USA 2023 Recognizes Blank Rome Attorneys and Practices

White Collar Defense & Investigations

Environmental

Maritime – Government Relations

Maritime – Environmental

Maritime – Regulatory Compliance

Cross Border / International

Trade Enforcement

<ul>
<li>Defended vessel owners/operators (cruise ships, cargo vessels, fishing vessels, tug/barges) with respect to allegations of environmental violations in criminal and administrative cases, and with respect to violations of the coastwise laws, including the Jones Act.</li>
<li>Served as on-site company counsel during pollution incidents and response drills.</li>
<li>Counseled vessel owners/operators regarding compliance with U.S. Coast Guard and international environmental, safety, security requirements, and coastwise trade.</li>
<li>Advised cargo owners and charterers on risk mitigation strategies in connection with potential pollution incidents worldwide.</li>
<li>Conducted internal investigations for vessel owners/operators, terminals, refineries, chemical manufacturing facilities, and pipeline operators related to allegations of non-compliance.</li>
<li>Sought administrative rules and handled voluntary disclosures for vessel and facility owners/operators in connection with U.S. Coast Guard, EPA, NOAA, and Customs coastwise trade matters.</li>
</ul>

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Jeanne M. Grasso

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