What Do Maritime Lawyers Do?

How often do you find yourself in situations when you might have to seek the services of a maritime lawyer? Not too often, we hope. However, when you do need their services, it's only them who can help. Therefore understanding the law and their line of work is extremely important. Before we get into what Maritime Lawyers do, let's understand who a maritime lawyer is and what their responsibility entails. As the name suggests, a lawyer in Maritime specializes in disputes arising on or related to the navigable waters such as rivers, oceans, lakes, and any other water body. Like any other attorney, a marine lawyer must get a law degree and pass the bar exam relating to land based civil law. On the other hand, these expert attorneys concentrate specifically on marine law matters. Many are board certified and/or obtain advanced legal degrees in Admiralty and Maritime Law. If you are looking for a reputable maritime law firm, McLeod Brock is just the name you need to know.

What Exactly Is Maritime Law?

Maritime law, is one of the oldest bodies of laws in the world comprised of general maritime laws, statutory maritime law, and international treaties which govern private and commercial maritime enterprise and other maritime issues, from international shipping to the backyard boat accident. In certain cases, international standards, regulations and treaties govern the dispute. In other instances, the general maritime law of the united states coupled with Federal and/or state procedural law will apply.

 What Does A Maritime Lawyer Do?

A Marine lawyer is a lawyer that focuses on waterborne disasters that happen during both recreational and commercial maritime activity. Maritime attorneys represent injured passengers as well as employees injured  at the workplace Maritime attorneys represent insurance companies, vessel owners and operators regarding a myriad of claims and transactions whether the issue be personal injury, property damage, and/or simply the safe operation of a vessel.

• Maritime lawyers work differently than other types of lawyers. This uniqueness stems from the unusual character of maritime conflicts. Ships, commodities, and people travel aboard vessels from one location to another, frequently passing through territories throughout the nation. Over the years, maritime law has evolved to meet the demands of boat owners, the crew on board, logistics providers, terminal operators, and other groups operating on the sea.

• Some Marine attorneys are experts, which means they have extensive knowledge and training in the law of the sea or any water body. Many marine attorneys specialize in maritime law or receive advanced legal degrees devoted to the subject. Since the law of the sea ought to be consistent in both state and federal courts, marine attorneys typically handle disputes in large geographic areas. Nautical lawyers often support and collaborate with land-based lawyers who may have a nautical aspect in a court lawsuit.

• Working in maritime law may seem intriguing, but it may entail rather a niche but necessary activities and concerns ranging from entertaining to extremely disputed and crucial. The tasks include actions such as managing any legal concerns pertaining to ships and shipping businesses registered in any country. The need for competent individuals in all sectors relating to the marine sector is steadily increasing.

• While maritime law might seem like it's a very specific line of work, you will be surprised how often it merges with other lawyers’ specializations. Maritime law encompasses several other fields of law, such as corporate, administrative, and criminal law, as well as global governmental and non - governmental law principles.

• A prevalent myth is that you would be charged simply for contacting a marine attorney. Most marine lawyers provide free initial appointments to understand your situation. Some maritime companies can even operate on contingency, which means that the attorney will not get paid unless you are successful.

• Don't put off doing anything when it comes to your maritime lawsuit and keep your documents in order. Maritime conflicts, like other lawsuits, are susceptible to reduced statutes of limitation, which might ultimately preclude your claim entirely.

If you ever have to avail the services of a maritime lawyer, choose the firm which is not only experienced but also comes from a long and reassuring line of positive cases to their name.