Areas of Emphasis
Admiralty and Maritime
Trade and Ports
Commercial Litigation
Business Transactions

Professional Experience
Kent Roberts' practice emphasizes representation of closely held businesses and maritime industry clients, particularly vessel operating companies, shipyards and ports. His practice includes shipping, finance and vessel related legal matters for his business clients, commercial and maritime litigation, and representation of clients before regulatory bodies.

Mr. Roberts is listed in Best Lawyers in America for his work in maritime law. Since 2006, he has been named an Oregon Super Lawyer by Law & Politics magazine. This peer-elected distinction is bestowed upon only the top 5% of all attorneys in the state of Oregon.

Mr. Roberts served on Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt's Board of Directors from 2005 through 2008, and is the chairman of the firm's Hiring Committee.

Professional & Community Activities
Mr. Roberts is a member of the Admiralty and Business Law sections of the Oregon State Bar. In 2007, he was elected to a three-year term on the Board of Directors of the Maritime Law Association of the United States. He also serves as a member of that association's committees on Inland Waters and Towing, and Marine Finance. He is a member and past president of the Propeller Club of the United States, Port of the Columbia River. He is also an associate member of the Association of Average Adjusters.

He serves as counsel and honor member of the Pacific Coast Congress of Harbor Masters and Port Managers. From 1999 through 2002, he served as a trustee of The Oregon Maritime Center and Museum. Mr. Roberts is a frequent lecturer on maritime industry issues, particularly maritime environmental regulation. He has taught Admiralty and Maritime Law since 1989 as an adjunct professor at Willamette University College of Law in Salem, Oregon.

Mr. Roberts is a college and international level men's lacrosse referee and a youth lacrosse coach. He was named Girls Youth Lacrosse Coach of the Year in 2003 by the U.S. Lacrosse Association. He served on the Oregon Chapter of U.S. Lacrosse from 2004 to 2007.

Recent Publications
"Towing Vessel Inspection - Potential for Application of Statutory Doctrines," Benedict's Maritime Bulletin, Vol. 7, Vol. 4, Fourth Quarter 2009
"Trends in Towing Contracting: The New Bisso End Runs," Benedict's Maritime Bulletin,
Vol. 4, No 2, 2006
"Proof of Foreign Law in U.S. Courts - Pitfalls and Pragmatics for the Admirality Practitioner." Proceedings, Pacific Admirality Law Institute, 2004

Admitted to Practice
Oregon State Courts
United States District Court, District of Oregon
United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
United States Supreme Court

Education
Northwestern School of Law, Lewis & Clark College, Juris Doctor degree (1979)
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Bachelor of Arts degree (1976)

Articles
EPA Issues Vessel General Permit