Kent Roberts, a shareholder in the Portland office of regional law firm Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, recently was named the Best Lawyers’ 2011 Portland, Ore., Maritime Lawyer of the Year.

“Kent is a well-respected attorney with a deep knowledge of the maritime industry, and he is extremely deserving of this distinction,” said Mark Long, managing partner at Schwabe.

Best Lawyers, the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession, recently began designating “Lawyers of the Year” in high-profile legal specialties in large legal communities.  Only a single lawyer per specialty in each community is honored as Lawyer of the Year.

Roberts focuses his practice in the areas 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.

Roberts serves as counsel and honor member of the Pacific Coast Congress of Harbor Masters and Port Managers.  He served on the board of directors of the Maritime Law Association of the United States from 2007 to 2010.  In October 2010, he was appointed as an associate editor of American Maritime Cases, the leading legal case reporter for admiralty and maritime law. From 1999 through 2002, he served as a trustee of The Oregon Maritime Center and Museum.  Roberts also is a frequent lecturer on maritime industry issues, particularly maritime environmental regulation.  He taught Admiralty and Maritime Law from 1989 to 2007 as an adjunct professor at Willamette University College of Law.