Industry focus
How I represent clients at Schwabe
I bring a unique blend of complex litigation experience and industry knowledge to my practice, with a deep focus on the maritime and port industry. Over the course of my career, I have represented shipowners and managers, charterers, marine terminal operators, cruise lines, designers, ship-builders, and fishing boat operators. My maritime practice involves defending against catastrophic incidents, including marine casualties and environmental claims, Longshore Act 905(b) claims, Jones Act claims, product liability and warranty claims, charter disputes, and putative class actions. I have experience in contract litigation and arbitration, which is an asset when advising clients on transactional matters, whether involving vessel charters or terminal services agreements.
I have also represented numerous transportation and construction industry clients. This work has included defending airlines, trucking companies, a Fortune 500 railroad, as well as contractors and insurers of significant construction projects against an array of matters ranging from bad faith, coverage, and contract disputes to property damage and wrongful death claims.
My path to the law began in the insurance sector. Before attending law school, I worked as a property-casualty underwriter for a multinational insurance company, where I priced and negotiated commercial coverage. Today, I provide coverage advice and litigate insurance coverage, contribution, and subrogation matters primarily for clients in the maritime and transportation industries.
Experience
- Achieved defense verdict in bench trial, defeating Clean Water Act claims.
- Successfully argued and secured favorable mootness holding for client before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, involving alleged Clean Water Act violations.
- Achieved dismissal of shipping company in Jones Act matter on grounds of forum non conveniens based on crew member contract despite political turmoil in contracted-for venue.
- Successfully moved to compel arbitration pursuant to the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards.
- Prepared foreign vessel technical managers and owners for international depositions in complex Limitation of Liability Action involving putative class action and Oil Pollution Act
- Secured favorable dismissal and full, third-party contractual indemnity and defense for chassis owner in wrongful death action.
- Responded to onboard vessel emergencies in hazardous cargo incidents and crew member fatality while advising shipowners and operators.
- Obtained contribution/subrogation settlements for insurer client recovering defense and/or indemnity amounts paid in underlying matters.
Education
- University of Illinois College of Law, Juris Doctor (2009)
- Oxford University, Intellectual Property Programme, (Summer 2007)
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Bachelor of Science, Finance (2003)
Admissions
- California State Courts
- Washington State Courts
- U.S. Court of Appeals - Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court - Central District of California
- U.S. District Court - Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court - Southern District of California
- U.S. District Court - Western District of Washington
Memberships
- Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Pacific Northwest Chapter, Co-Chapter President (2024 – present)
- Maritime Law Association, Cruise Lines and Passenger Vessel Committee, Chair (2026-present)
- Maritime Law Association, Fall 2026 Arrangements Committee
- King County Bar Association
- Washington Defense Trial Lawyers Association
Awards
- Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America®, Ones to Watch in America: Commercial Litigation (2021-2025), Mass Tort Litigation / Class Action – Defendants (2023-2025), Mass Tort Litigation / Class Action – Plaintiffs (2023-2025)
- Rickert Award for Service, University of Illinois College of Law, 2009
Additional Publications
Additional Events
- Maritime Law Update, Association of Transportation Law Professionals, June 2025
Services
Outside Interests
Comfortable navigating ambiguous terrain and the occasional slippery slope.
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