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Note from the Editor
The maritime industry, as a whole, is extremely collegial and driven by personal relationships. I have been very lucky to have developed so many personal friendships that grew from business relationships. In particular, as a maritime lawyer, I have been fortunate to have travelled to many places, near and far, and have worked with many impressive people across the globe. One of those people was Jim Lawrence. For those who did not have the pleasure of knowing Jim, he was, among other things, the founder of MTI Network, and led Marine Money’s and the Connecticut Maritime Association’s annual conferences.
I first became acquainted with Jim when he emceed the annual Admirals’ Dinner at SUNY Maritime College. Laughter came easy while Jim spoke. Jim’s accomplishments and reputation preceded him well before I got to know him better in 2015 while we both were working on the El Faro matter. The knowledge and guidance Jim provided to his clients during times of crisis was invaluable. Jim’s smile and sunny disposition were, to me, his hallmark during those times of crisis.
On behalf of the Blank Rome Maritime team, thank you Jim for your friendship. Our crew is one less, we sail shorthanded, and so we mourn, but to Jim we say:
That Hand is you, Old Sailor.
And you’ll be sailing out on Heavenly Seas.
May the wind be ever at your back.
Fair weather, and God Speed.
— William R. Bennett III, Editor
ARTICLES
Navigating Uncertainty: How Recent IEEPA Tariff Rulings Impact the Maritime Industry
By: Keith B. Letourneau and Holli B. Packer
On May 28, 2025, the United States Court of International Trade (“CIT”) issued a landmark decision in V.O.S. Selections, Inc. v. United States, holding that tariffs imposed by the President under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”) exceeded the statutory authority granted by Congress. The CIT vacated the challenged tariff orders and permanently enjoined their enforcement nationwide. However, less than 24 hours later, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit temporarily stayed the CIT’s order, preserving the tariffs while the government’s appeal is pending. A separate decision from the D.C. District Court also found the President’s IEEPA tariffs to be beyond the scope of the statute, though it imposed a more limited injunction. Read More »
FMC Announces Investigation Into Flags of Convenience and Unfavorable Conditions Created by Flagging Practices
By: Matthew J. Thomas, Jeanne M. Grasso, Kierstan L. Carlson, and Natalie M. Radabaugh
The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission announced on May 21, 2025 that it is initiating a non-adjudicatory investigation into whether the: 1) vessel flagging laws, regulations, and/or practices of certain foreign governments, including the so-called flags of convenience, or 2) competitive methods employed by owners, operators, agents, or masters of foreign-flag vessels, are creating unfavorable shipping conditions in the foreign trade of the United States. The investigation includes a 90-day public comment period, which ends on August 20, 2025. Read More »
Regulatory Developments: Maritime Emissions
Maritime environmental regulations have become increasingly prominent internationally as concerns over climate change and air pollution intensify. The shipping industry is under mounting pressure from governments, environmental organizations, and the public to reduce its environmental footprint. This pressure is compounded by the complexity of navigating a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape, making compliance a critical and challenging priority for maritime stakeholders. International cooperation has been essential in shaping these regulations, as countries and organizations work together to establish unified standards and enforcement mechanisms. Read More »
Navigating Maritime Evidence: The Power and Practice of Using Demonstrative Aids in Litigation
By: Douglas J. Shoemaker, Keith B. Letourneau, and Holli B. Packer
Navigating the complexities of maritime litigation presents unique challenges distinct from other areas of law. The cases are often steeped in technical detail, involving complex vessel operations, intricate navigation principles, and highly specialized equipment. For judges and juries—many of whom may have little or no maritime experience—grasping the nuances of such cases can be a daunting task. This is where demonstrative aids help to transform dense, technical evidence into clear, compelling presentations that illuminate the facts and arguments at the heart of a dispute. Drawing on recent developments in the Federal Rules of Evidence and illustrative case law, demonstrative aids can be the difference between confusion and clarity, disengagement and persuasion, and, ultimately, between losing and winning a case. Read More »
Navigating Safely: Tips for Commercial and Recreational Vessels Operating near Military Craft
By: Alan M. Weigel, Neil P. McMillan, and Holli B. Packer
Every day, commercial, recreational, and military vessels encounter one another on the seas with different prerogatives—moving product as safely and efficiently as possible, enjoying a day on the water, or completing a mission, whatever that might be. This article will provide context to commercial, merchant, and recreational craft regarding the types of military craft and operations they may encounter in order to make better-informed maneuvering decisions. Read More »
Spotlight on …
Get to know Blank Rome Maritime team members Vanessa C. DiDomenico and Luke M. Reid. Read More »
NEWS & RANKINGS
Chambers USA 2025 Honors Blank Rome Maritime Attorneys and Practices
Chambers USA 2025 nationally ranked Blank Rome’s Maritime practice and attorneys in the following areas:
- Transportation: Shipping/Maritime: Finance
- Transportation: Shipping/Maritime: Litigation (New York) - #1 ranking
- Transportation: Shipping/Maritime: Litigation (outside New York) - #1 ranking
- Transportation: Shipping/Maritime: Regulatory - #1 ranking
- Offshore Energy
The firm’s ranked Maritime attorneys include: Thomas H. Belknap, Michael Bell, William R. Bennett, Jeanne Grasso, John D. Kimball, Keith B. Letourneau, Richard Singleton, Anthony Salgado, Douglas Shoemaker, Matthew J. Thomas, and Jonathan K. Waldron. Read More »
Blank Rome Global Leader: Chambers Global 2025 Ranks Blank Rome Attorneys and Shipping, Energy, International Trade, and Bankruptcy & Restructuring Practices
Chambers Global 2025 recognized Blank Rome as a global leader in Shipping: Litigation, as well as Maritime partner John D. Kimball describing him as “an experienced practitioner who handles complex shipping disputes. His practice sees him work on commercial and environmental litigation, among other disputes.” Read More »
Blank Rome Attorneys and Practices Highly Ranked in The Legal 500 United States 2025
Blank Rome’s Maritime group and attorneys have been highly ranked and recommended in The Legal 500 United States 2025. Researchers at The Legal 500 conduct annual, in-depth market research and gather information from individual law firms as well as feedback from peers and clients to form an objective analysis and prepare comprehensive rankings and editorial of the U.S. legal market. Read More »
Blank Rome Highly Ranked in Best Lawyers® 2025 Edition of “Best Law Firms”
Blank Rome was named “Law Firm of the Year” in Admiralty and Maritime Law in the 2025 “Best Law Firms” survey. Only one law firm per legal practice area received the “Best Law Firm” recognition. Read More »
Blank Rome Attorneys Recognized in 2025 Best Lawyers in America®
Blank Rome was recognized in the 2025 Best Lawyers in America survey, which ranked 225 firm attorneys in the annual categories of “Lawyers of the Year,” “Ones to Watch,” and “Best Lawyers” in 50 practice groups across 13 regions. Read More »
The firm’s Maritime practice was ranked both nationally and regionally:
- National 2025 Rankings: TIER 1 - Admiralty and Maritime Law
- Regional 2025 Rankings: TIER 1 - Admiralty and Maritime Law in Houston, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.
Trump Administration Resource Hub
We invite you to visit our Trump Administration Resource Hub to explore our thought leadership provided by a team of attorneys dedicated to providing comprehensive analysis and actionable insights to help navigate the complexities and opportunities presented by the administration’s Executive Orders, policies, and regulatory changes.
The BR International Trade Report
Welcome to the June 2025 issue of The BR International Trade Report, Blank Rome’s monthly digital newsletter highlighting international trade, sanctions, cross-border investment, geopolitical risk issues, trends, and laws impacting businesses domestically and abroad. Click here to read it.
The BR Privacy & Security Download
We invite you to read our June 2025 edition of The BR Privacy & Security Download, the monthly digital newsletter of Blank Rome’s Privacy, Security & Data Protection practice, which covers current trends and updates in the areas of state, local, and federal laws and regulations, U.S. litigation and enforcement, and international laws and regulations, as well as the group’s recent events and webinars, media activity, and news. To view the latest edition of The BR Privacy & Security Download, please click here.
The BR State + Local Tax Spotlight
Welcome to the June 2025 edition of The BR State + Local Tax Spotlight. We know the importance of remaining up-to-date on State + Local Tax developments, which appear often and across numerous jurisdictions. Staying informed on significant legislative developments and judicial decisions helps tax departments function more efficiently, along with improving strategy as well as planning. That is where The BR State + Local Tax Spotlight can help. Please click here to read The BR State + Local Tax Spotlight.
RESOURCES
Severe Weather Emergency Recovery Team (“SWERT”)
SWERT is an interdisciplinary group of Blank Rome attorneys and government relations professionals with decades of experience helping companies and individuals recover from severe weather events, including hurricanes, wildfires, mudslides, snowstorms, earthquakes, and tornadoes. We are ready to assist those in the path of storms and other severe weather events. Read More »
Safe Passage Blog
We invite our readers to dive into our archive of Mainbrace newsletters and maritime development advisories, as well as keep abeam with all of our current and upcoming analyses on trending maritime topics and legislation, in our Safe Passage blog. Read More »
© 2025 Blank Rome LLP. All rights reserved. Please contact Blank Rome for permission to reprint. Notice: The purpose of this update is to identify select developments that may be of interest to readers. The information contained herein is abridged and summarized from various sources, the accuracy and completeness of which cannot be assured. This update should not be construed as legal advice or opinion, and is not a substitute for the advice of counsel.
