Brad has represented clients for over 25 years in civil litigation and arbitration matters, with a focus on admiralty and maritime law. Brad's clients have included oil, technology and insurance companies, marine classification societies, vessel owners and charterers, cargo interests, marine construction and dredging companies, salvage companies, and shipyards.
Brad represented the petitioner in Exxon Corp. v. Central Gulf Lines, Inc., 500 U.S. 603 (1991), in which the United States Supreme Court overruled its own long-standing precedent and expanded federal admiralty jurisdiction in favor of his client. Brad also has substantial experience defending marine classification societies in major malpractice cases, including a $1 billion suit brought by a foreign country in connection with a massive oil spill in Europe, and another in connection with the catastrophic failure and sinking of a laden bulk carrier.
In addition to his litigation work, Brad assists clients in concluding various types of maritime transactions, including the purchase and sale of vessels, charter parties and towage agreements. Brad has also advised clients overseas concerning compliance with U.S. maritime trade and environmental law.
Recent Experience
- Defended vessel owners in suits by shipyards for repairs
- Defended a vessel owner in suits by a terminal owner for allision damage to a pier, and in connection with the alleged breach of a crewing agreement
- Represented a salvor in securing rights to a shipwreck
- Defended a towage company in a suit by a state agency.
- Represented Greek interests in securing a maritime attachment
- Represented Turkish interests in contesting maritime attachments
- Defended vessel owners in seamens’ claims for personal injury
- Represented an English marine insurer in coverage litigation relating to the capsize of a fishing vessel off Massachusetts
- Represented cargo interests in suits for damage to cargo
- Represented a vessel owner in a multimillion dollar claim against its hull and machinery underwriters
- Represented a Greek joint venture partnership in a major maritime bankruptcy
- Defended a German manufacturing company in several products liability cases
- Defended a U.S. technology company in multimillion dollar products liability litigation involving hundreds of fiber optic lasers.
- Represented a major Boston Harbor property owner in wreck removal litigation.
- Represented a native Alaskan regional corporation and several villages in a major oil spill case.
- Defended the charterer of two bulk carriers against multimillion dollar claims by its sub-charterer in a San Francisco maritime arbitration.
- Defended a South American tanker owner against a claim in arbitration by its charterer, and prevailed on the owner’s counterclaim for vessel damage.
Honors & Distinctions
Brad is rated AV® Preeminent™ 5.0 out of 5 by Martindale-Hubbell.
Professional Activities
Maritime Law Association of the United States
· Committee on Marine Ecology
· Committee on Marine Insurance
Connecticut Maritime Association
Massachusetts Bar Association
Boston Bar Association
Civic Activities
American Yacht Club
Vineyard Conservation Society