James Marissen leads the firm’s Maritime Practice Group in Southern California. James is a maritime legal specialist with extensive experience and multiple successes in conducting international litigation and arbitration on behalf of shipowners, charterers, freight forwarders, terminal operators, insurers, salvors, commodity traders, banks and other corporate clients.

James’ practice involves a broad spectrum of maritime matters including vessel arrests, charter party and bill of lading disputes, cargo claims, maritime liens, personal injury and all aspects of casualty response, including investigations, evidence preservation, salvage, towage, wreck removal and pollution incidents.

Born and raised in Australia, James has worked with international maritime law firms in their Perth, London and Singapore offices before coming to the United States in 2007. James has particular expertise in conducting multi-jurisdictional litigation in international trade matters involving international contracts for the sale of goods, letters of credit and other documentary credits.

James also has extensive casualty experience throughout the United States and the world, including emergency response to shipping casualties, casualty investigations, port state control investigations, internal/shoreside investigations, evidence preservation, Lloyds Open Form salvage, SCOPIC, common law salvage, towage, wreck removal and pollution incidents.

James’ practice covers non-contentious maritime work including drafting charter parties, bills of lading, passenger ticket terms, ship sale and purchase contracts, ship management agreements, preferred vessel mortgages and joint venture agreements for special projects.