About William R. Bennett III

Bill Bennett is a member of our Maritime Emergency Response Team (“MERT”).

Bill has more than 30 years’ experience representing stakeholders in the global shipping, energy, and commodities markets. Bill handles contentious and non-contentious matters for a large global client base. He has extensive experience arbitrating and litigating matters involving complex shipping, international trade, commodities, and energy disputes as well as significant ship casualties involving sinkings, fire, wrongful death, and personal injury. His experience includes arbitrating under the rules of the AAA, ICDR, SMA, ICE, and NAEGA, as well as numerous ad hoc arbitrations. Bill is a frequent presenter on numerous topics impacting the global shipping market.

Chambers USA notes that clients describe Bill as “very personable, doesn’t deal in legalese, provides succinct and clear advice and provides it quickly,” “responsive, hard-working and dedicated to creating a successful outcome,” “a terrific litigator who is smart and knows what he’s doing,” and “brilliant, straightforward, well-reasoned and cuts to the chase.”

Bill is a graduate of SUNY Maritime College, sailed as a licensed officer, and holds a degree in Naval Architecture. In connection with his education at SUNY Maritime College, he obtained his Unlimited Third Mate’s license from the United States Coast Guard (“USCG”). He worked aboard various vessels in the capacity of Third Mate, Second Mate (limited tonnage), and Master (limited tonnage), including oil tankers, ocean-going tugs, dredges, and yachts.

Outside the Firm

Bill enjoys cycling, running, hiking, and fishing. He has completed three marathons.

A description of the standard or methodology on which the accolades are based can be found here.

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Experience

  • Led a team of more than 10 attorneys representing the managers and owners of the DALI in a shipowners limitation of liability proceedings where the claims where in excess of six billion dollars, the same interests in the NTSB proceedings, the manager in subsequent criminal proceedings, and the vessel interests in a subrogation claim against the vessel’s builder.
  • Led a team of attorneys in negotiating a $50 million dollar settlement resulting from the sinking of a luxury yacht.
  • Represented the builder of a large bridge for a construction delay claim in excess of $100 million resulting from delays caused when a three-tug barge flotilla allided with bridge construction equipment. 
  • Represented a fast ferry operator following an allision that resulted in more than 100 claims of personal injury.
  • Represented the interest of the Master of the El Faro following its sinking and loss of all crew during USCG Marine Board of Investigation hearings.
  • Led a team of attorneys that obtained an international arbitration award in excess of $31 million against a foreign government which was recognized, confirmed, and converted into a money Judgment.
  • Successfully recovered in excess of $4.6 million on behalf of an international chemical company against a vessel owner for damage to cargo.
  • Successfully recovered in excess of four million dollars due under a long-term vessel charter on behalf of a vessel owner.
  • Successfully recovered in excess of eight million dollars on behalf of a coal trader following a verdict in the Eastern District of Virginia against a vessel owner’s alter ego entities.
  • Represented a large commodity trader seeking to recover in excess of $30 million for losses resulting from fraud.

A description of the standard or methodology on which the accolades are based can be found here.

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News & Views

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A description of the standard or methodology on which the accolades are based can be found here.

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Recognitions

  • AV Preeminent®, listed in Martindale-Hubbell®
  • 2024–2027, Admiralty and Maritime Law in New York, listed in Best Lawyers in America©
  • 2026, “Top 500 Leading Global Litigators,” listed in Lawdragon
  • 2026, “Leading Lawyer in Maritime, Admiralty & The High Seas,” listed by Lawdragon
  • 2018–2026, Transportation: Shipping/Maritime: Litigation Law, listed in Chambers USA
  • 2019–2026, listed in The Legal 500 United States
  • 2022–2026, “Leading Partner,” listed in The Legal 500’s Guide to Outstanding Lawyers Nationwide
  • 2026, “Highly Recommended – Transport – Shipping,” listed in Lexology Index
  • 2013–2025, New York Metro “Super Lawyer” in Transportation & Maritime, listed in Super Lawyers

A description of the standard or methodology on which the accolades are based can be found here.

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Bar Admissions

  • New Jersey
  • New York

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court - Connecticut
  • Supreme Court of the United States
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court - New Jersey
  • U.S. District Court - Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court - Southern District of New York
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

Education

  • State University of New York at Maritime College, BE
  • St. John's University School of Law, JD

A description of the standard or methodology on which the accolades are based can be found here.

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