On September 23-24, 2010 Freehill partner Tom Russo was a speaker at the 6th annual Marine Log conference and expo, “Global Greenship.” Tom participated in a program entitled “Environmental Crimes: Point-Counterpoint”, with Joseph Poux, Assistant Chief, Environmental Crimes Section, Environment and Natural Resources Division, U.S. Department of Justice, examining the prosecution and defenses of environmental crimes from the points of view of the government and shipowners.
On September 29, 2010 Mr. Russo was a featured speaker at a seminar in Singapore sponsored by The Standard P&I Club and ECM Maritime Services. The seminar, Maritime Environmental Compliance and the U.S. Perspective: Investigate – Criminalize- Prosecute, was designed to provide shipping companies with guidance in meeting U.S. requirements and, in the event of a Marpol criminal violation, in defending the case and in negotiating with the government concerning settlement and Environmental Compliance Plans.