• New York Law School, J.D., 1991
• Fordham University, B.A., 1987

• Board Certified as a Specialist in Admiralty and Maritime Litigation, The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education, since 1999
• Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2006- 2014; Ranked No. 1 Nationally in Shipping (outside New York City)
• Admiralty and Maritime Law Certification Committee, Chairman, 2008-2010; Vice Chair, 2007-2008
• Martindale-Hubbell, AV rated
• Best Lawyers in America, 2007-Present
• Tampa Magazines’ Top Lawyers, 2020, 2021, 2023
• Florida Trend’s Legal Elite 2015-Present
• Florida Super Lawyers, 2007-Present
• Licensed United States Coast Guard Captain, OUPV

• Florida Bar, 1991
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida

• Represented Rolls-Royce Commercial Marine, Inc. in federal jury trial involving claims for Breach of Express/Implied Warranties and Violation of Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.
• Represented client in trial involving claim for damages allegedly caused by stevedore.
• Represented Rolls-Royce in claim made by cruise lines alleging over $300 million dollars in damage for propulsion system failures.
• Represented a public utility in litigation regarding an alleged $60 million claim for failed international business venture. Obtained summary judgment in favor of client, and the decision was affirmed on appeal.
• Represented a public utility in a Colombian arbitration involving a $60 million claim brought by a prospective partner arising from power plant purchase. Worked closely with Colombian counsel in international arbitration.
• Representated harbor pilot involved in a three vessel collision and extensive oil spill on Tampa Bay resulting in a five week Coast Guard and National Transportation Safety Board investigative hearing.
• Represented towing company in trial involving claim for property damages.
• Represented harbor pilot in trial involving claim for personal injuries resulting in defense verdict.
• Obtained judgment in bench trial in favor of engine manufacturer in trial to enforce claim for maritime lien and defense verdict on $5 million dollar counterclaim for breach of warranty and negligent misrepresentation.

Meridian Bulk Carriers, Ltd. v. Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals, Inc., 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 62923 (M.D. Fla. 2009).

Rolls-Royce plc vs. Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., 960 So.2d 768 (Fla. 3d DCA 2007).

Skuld v. Apollo Ship Chandlers, Inc., 347 So.2d 991 (Fla.3d DCA 2003).

Villaflores v. Royal Venture Cruise Lines, Ltd., 1997 AMC 2532 (M.D. Fla. 1997).

Banana Services Inc. v. M/V TASMAN STAR, et al., 64 F. 3d 418, 1996 AMC 260 (11th Cir. 1995).

Banana Services Inc. v. M/V TASMAN STAR, et al., 1994 AMC 1617 (M.D. Fla. 1994).

• Adjunct Professor: University of Florida, Levin College of Law, Admiralty and Maritime Law, 2011-2015
  
  
• Contributing Author: Florida Maritime Law and Practice, “Admiralty and Maritime Jurisdiction,” Chapter 1 and “Pleasure Boats,” Chapter 14, Sixth Edition 2019
• Lecture: Navigating the Marine Incident, Injury and Intoxication, Florida State Harbor Pilots Association, November 2019
• Lecture: Florida Pilots Association, 2019, “Navigating the Treacherous Waters of Marine Incidents, Injury and Intoxication”
• Contributing Author: Florida Maritime Law and Practice, “Pleasure Boats,” Chapter 14, Fifth Edition 2017
• Lecturer: Arbitration “Contracting for Future Litigation,” June 2, 2008
• Lorman Education Services, Author: “Maritime Practice and Procedures,” 2007
• Contributing Author: Maritime Law and Practice, Marine Insurance, Chapter 11, The Florida Bar, Fourth Edition, 2004.
• Lecture: Florida Bar Admiralty and Maritime Law Committee, June 2004, “Pilotage Law in Florida”
• Lecture: Maritime Law Association Board of Directors Meeting, March 2004, “Pilots: Crossing the Bar”
• Lecture: Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute, 2003, “Pilots: Safely Navigating Treacherous Legal Waters”
• Contributing Author: The Florida Bar Admiralty and Maritime Law Manual, Chapter 11, Marine Insurance, October 2002
• Lecture: Council of America Master Mariners, April 2002, “Uncharted Waters, The Legal Aspects concerning the Use of Portable Navigation Systems”
• Lecture: Admiralty Law Committee Meeting, “Arrest Pursuant to Rule D”
• Author: “The Legal Dimensions of In Vitro Fertilization: Cryopreserved Embryos Frozen in Legal Limbo”, 8 N.Y. L.Sch.J.Hm.Rts 383 (1991)

• Port of Tampa Maritime Industries Association, Board Member, 2016-present
• American Victory Ship and Museum, Board Member, 2015-present
• Propeller Club, Member, 2000 to present; Board Member, 2010-2011
• Leadership Tampa, Participant, 2007
• The Florida Bar (Member, Admiralty and Maritime Law Committee)
• Chair, Admiralty and Maritime Law Certification Committee, 2008-2009
• Maritime Law Association of the U.S. (Proctor in Admiralty, 1996; Member Since 1992, Committee Marine Insurance, General Average and Salvage)
• Federal Bar Association, Board Member, 2000
• Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute (SEALI), Member 1992 to present; Director for Port of Tampa, 1997-1999
• Hillsborough County Bar Association (Trial Lawyers Section), Board Member, 2010-2011
• Florida Bar Association, Member of Grievance Committee, 2009
• American Inns of Court, Cheatwood Inn, 2017-2018
• American Inns of Court, Ferguson-White Inn, Barrister Member, 2001-2003
• American Inns of Court, Ferguson-White Inn, Pupil Member, 1992-1993
• American Inns of Court, William Glenn Terrell Inn, Barrister Member, 1994-1999
• Tampa Catholic Lawyers Guild, Board of Directors, 1997-1998

• St. Vincent De Paul Society, Member, 1992 to 2019
• St. Vincent De Paul Society, Sacred Heart Church, President, December 1997 to September 1999
• St. Vincent De Paul Society, Christ the King Church, President, 2001-2003