Freehill Hogan & Mahar LLP

In Memoriam George B. Freehill With deep sadness, but at the same time a sense of appreciation of a life well lived, we regret to announce the passing of George B. Freehill, the founding partner of our firm. George passed away peacefully with his family around him on Monday, July 20, 2020. It is perhaps an...

LEGAL 500 AGAIN RANKS FREEHILL IN TOP TIER OF U.S. MARITIME FIRMS FOR 2020

Based in New York, Freehill Hogan & Mahar LLP fields a team of ‘dedicated maritime lawyers with deep experience in the law‘, and is considered by some to be ‘the best shipping law firm in New York‘. Headed by Wayne Meehan, the team has a strong vessel and cargo liability, and personal injury defense practice, handling occupational disease...

FHM DBA TEAM WINS FOURTH DEFENSE VERDICT IN A ROW

In a claim for total disability benefits under the Defense Base Act, FHM Partner John F. Karpousis and Associate Matthew J. Pallay succeeded in a complete denial of the claim. In a case tried before Administrative Law Judge Monica Markley in Columbia, South Carolina involving five witnesses, ALJ Markley found the claimant’s traumatic back injury to...

FREEHILL PREVAILS ON ISSUES OF FEDERAL JURISDICTION AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

FH&M LLP is proud to recognize our partner Bill Pallas in connection with the decision of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York granting summary judgment in favor of our client, an ocean carrier, in a maritime/intermodal cargo case. The Court’s opinion examines numerous topics of interest for our shipping industry...

CLIENT ALERT: U.S.C.G. PERMITS U.S. VESSEL OPERATORS TO CARRY ELECTRONIC VERSIONS OF RULES

On May 21, 2020, the United States Coast Guard published Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 01-16 Change 2, permitting U.S. vessel operators to utilize electronic versions of the Inland Navigation Rules and Vessel Traffic Service Rules in lieu of paper charts, maps and publications. This change to the 2016 NVIC 01-16, which itself broadened...

CLIENT ALERT: THE WEEK OF JUNE 1, 2020, SEES ADDITIONAL STEPS IN THE SANCTIONS TARGETING VENEZUELA AND IRAN

Last week saw significant developments in the U.S. sanctions programs targeting Venezuela and Iran. The developments underscore the need for non-U.S. persons and entities which operate in international shipping to exercise utmost diligence in their dealings involving or potentially involving either country. To read the full Client Alert, click HERE.

CLIENT ALERT: U.S. ISSUES DETAILED GUIDANCE TO MARITIME INDUSTRY TO ADDRESS ILLICIT SHIPPING & SANCTIONS EVASION PRACTICES

On May 15, 2020, the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the U.S. Coast Guard issued an advisory to provide those involved in the maritime industry and energy and metals sectors with guidance to counter current and emerging trends related to illicit shipping and sanctions...

CLIENT ALERT: U.S. TURNS UP THE SANCTIONS AGAINST VENEZUELA – ISSUES AN AMENDED, AND MORE RESTRICTIVE, GENERAL LICENSE 8F

April 22, 2020 On April 21, 2020, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued amended General License 8F authorizing transactions involving PdVSA necessary for limited maintenance of essential operations in Venezuela or the wind-down of operations in Venezuela for certain entities like Chevron. The amended version of this license is different from prior versions...

FREEHILL WINS IN 2ND CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEAL – DISMISSAL OF $2.7M CLAIM AFFIRMED

On March 24, 2020, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court decision dismissing a $2.7M claim by the Long Island Lighting Company (LIPA) in the case of Bouchard Transportation Co. Inc. vs. The Long Island Lighting Company. The case arose out of alleged damage to an underwater electric power cable in Hempstead...

CHAMBERS & PARTNERS AGAIN RECOGNIZES FREEHILL PARTNER GUTOWSKI

ChambersGlobal for 2020 was issued on March 9, 2020 and Freehill partner Peter Gutowski was again named as one of the leading global lawyers in the field of shipping litigation. This is the tenth consecutive year that Mr. Gutowski has been highly ranked by ChambersGlobal as a Leading Individual in the field of shipping law....