The highly regarded ship finance team at Cozen O'Connor represents a stellar roster of vessel owners, operators and financial institutions in the full gamut of maritime financing matters, including asset-based loans, government-guaranteed credit facilities and leasing transactions. A notable area of expertise involves advising investors on maritime M&A matters, as well as maritime bankruptcies. From the New York office, Geoffrey Ferrer specializes in US and non-US flag shipping matters, maritime bankruptcies and all aspects of asset-based lending. Ferrer also leverages expertise in the maritime and corporate laws of relevant jurisdictions, notably Marshall Islands, the Bahamas, Liberia and Vanuatu. In Washington DC, Jeff Vogel represents shipowners in the financing of commercial, passenger and fishing vessels, whilst Josh Stein advises US and international clients regarding the formation and reorganization of business entities, alongside compliance with US cabotage laws. Matthew Howell, Rachel Schwartz and Kathryn Sobotta are key contacts in Washington DC.

Jones Walker LLP is distinguished by the depth of its maritime transaction practice, representing leading private and public companies in a diverse array of financing acquisitions, divestitures and restructurings. With strong expertise in the blue water, offshore and inland marine sectors, the team is turned to by longstanding domestic and international clients for counsel in complex ocean and inland vessel acquisitions, registration and flagging matters. The practice is spearheaded by New Orleans-based William C. Baldwin , who is renowned for his extensive expertise representing borrowers, lenders and agents in high value marine finance deals, alongside notable work for stakeholders in the offshore wind industry. Kelly Duncan harnesses four decades of experience within the maritime sector, specialising in international commercial transactions, maritime lien enforcement, marine acquisitions and regulatory issues. Christopher Ulfers represents clients in the negotiation and drafting of maritime contracts, James Kearns has experience with financings under the Title XI loan guarantee program, whilst Houston-based Cindy Matherne Muller co-chairs the firm’s offshore wind work.

The maritime finance team at Seward & Kissel LLP harnesses ‘first class understanding’ of the shipping sector to advise a stellar roster of public maritime companies and financial institutions in their full range of corporate and transactional activities. The team regularly advises clients in loan transactions, financial and operating leases, securitization and other global financing transactions. The New York-based practice is jointly spearheaded by ‘leaders in the field’: Keith Billotti  advises in complex maritime transactions; Edward S Horton  focuses upon corporate securities law, representing domestic and international issuers and underwriters in connection to various securities transactions. Sophia Agathis, Mike Timpone, and Kurt Plankl have departed the team.

The marine practice at Watson Farley & Williams (New York) LLP leverages ‘deep knowledge’ of the shipping sector, with the team’s extensive expertise extending beyond the US to include Marshall Islands, Liberia and Vanuatu corporate and maritime matters. The firm is praised for its client-centric approach, representing clients in capital markets and private equity transactions, restructurings, insolvencies and sanctions, as well as advising on various aspects of the Jones Act. Senior partner George Paleokrassas is a key name in the New York practice, acting for leading shipping lenders and shipowners in a broad range of transactions; practice head Christopher Belisle is highly regarded for his commercial litigation experience and frequently advises on asset-based loan facilities for ships, lease financings and various aspects of the Jones Act; Steven Hollander handles a range of international transactions; whilst John Benson represents financial institutions, private equity funds and shipowners and operators in cross-border asset-backed structured transactions. Robert Kritzman brings extensive experience within the global cruise sector. Filana Silberberg and Will Vogel are key contacts for corporate and securities matters, and counsel C J Chido acts in cross-border asset-backed financings in the maritime sector.

The ship finance team at Blank Rome LLP represents significant clients on both the borrower and lender side, operating across offices in New York, Washington DC and Houston. The team handles the full range of maritime financing matters, with a significant recent mandate for Philly Shipyard Inc. seeing the firm negotiate a vessel construction agreement to build the first Jones Act compliant fallpipe subsea rock installation vessel. In the Washington DC office, practice head Anthony Salgado remains a key authority on Jones Act matters, notably Jones Act citizenship issues and their impact on US ship financings and transactions. Salgado’s practice extends to encompass Title XI financings, offshore shipping company bankruptcies, and shipping M&As and joint ventures, with strong expertise in Liberian and Marshall Islands maritime law issues. Natalie Radabaugh handles a wide range of US and foreign maritime transactions, including vessel secured financings, lease financing and vessel construction agreements. Based in Houston, Douglas Shoemaker has extensive arbitration experience concerning domestic and international maritime contractual disputes, whilst also being deeply involved in the US offshore wind industry.

With an impressive clientele of US and foreign banks and investors, the team at Holland & Knight LLP is routinely called upon to advise in major international shipping transactions, Jones Act compliant financing matters and shipping group restructurings. A growing area of focus for the firm involves representing non-traditional sources of ship financing, including private equity transactions, governmental finance support entities and underwriters in capital markets. The team also leverages key expertise in Marshall Islands and Liberia-related tax issues. New York-based Jovi Tenev handles the full spectrum of shipping and offshore matters for notable banks and financiers; Richard Furey focuses upon US and global asset and infrastructure finance, acting for vessel owners, lenders and charterers; and Washington DC-based Gerald Morrissey III is recommended for his ability to ‘quickly and creatively’ respond to the needs of clients in a range of maritime investments and acquisitions, regulatory compliance matters and Jones Act transactions. Another key contact is senior counsel Cynthia Liu. Mike Timpone, Sophia Agathis, and Kurt Plankl joined the team in April 2025.

Considered a ‘go-to firm’ for clients seeking a full-service maritime practice, Norton Rose Fulbright represents US and foreign banks in complex multi-jurisdictional shipping transactions, including M&A, structured financing and charter-party negotiations. Recent expansion into representing non-traditional sources of ship financing, including funds and issuers in capital markets transactions, reflects the team’s ability to respond to the evolving shipping landscape. The practice is spearheaded by New York-based Brian Devine, representing financial institutions and borrowers in finance and security arrangements, M&A and insolvency matters. Devine also boasts a global practice, with expertise in Marshall Islands and Liberian law, and regularly consults on international maritime transactions. Counsel Kassandra Savicki offers ‘great knowledge and availability’, handling a wide range of maritime financing matters, notably vessel acquisitions and sales, M&A and joint venture structuring. In Houston, Josh Agrons specializes in secured and unsecured multi-currency credit facilities, debt restructurings and high yield notes offerings, whilst New York-based Julie Pateman Ward has extensive experience handling maritime disputes and corporate restructurings.

The team at Reed Smith LLP leverages a vast global network and strong expertise in shipping finance, restructuring and maritime bankruptcy, to represent clients in a range of complex, cross-border transactions. The team has recently expanded its focus on US Jones Act matters, advising publicly-listed companies, investors and vessel owners and operators engaged in US coastwise trades in major transactions. Han Deng is highly regarded for a strong domestic and cross-border practice, representing leading financial institutions, owners, lessors and operators in connection with debt finance transactions and other commercial shipping transactions. Robert Lustrin heads the firm’s shipping capital markets practice, harnessing deep experience acting in high profile shipping transactions, including IPOs and bond offerings. Lustrin’s practice also extends to representing private equity investors in high value underwritten public resales of shares in US-listed shipping companies. Promoted to partner in January 2025, Alice Colarossi is recommended for strong expertise in Jones Act matters, spanning US ownership rules to coastwise trade restrictions on vessel operations. All attorneys listed are based in the New York City office.

The global transportation finance team at Vedder Price has extensive expertise in the full gamut of finance transactions concerning maritime and offshore assets, including cargo vessels, offshore construction and oil exploration vessels, ferries, barges and terminal facilities. The team is well-equipped to represent clients in international transactions, with qualifications to practice in the US, England and Wales, Australia and the Marshall Islands.  John Imhof Jr harnesses over three decades of experience advising leading banks, hedge funds, private equity funds and ship owners in domestic and cross-border ship financing. Washington DC-based Anthony Renzi advises shipping, energy and offshore sector clients in public and private equity and debt offerings, M&A and corporate restructurings.  Hoyoon Nam represents banks, investment funds and corporate borrowers in financing and restructuring transactions, as well leveraging extensive experience in asset finance matters and lending transactions in the maritime industry. Associate John Geager is a key contact for large-scale vessel financings and refinancings, advising on aspects of US, Marshall Islands, Liberian and Vanuatu law. All attorneys listed are based in the firm’s New York office unless otherwise mentioned.

The maritime and offshore practice group at Vinson & Elkins LLP represents a range of clients in high value transactions across the shipping and offshore energy industries, including M&A, joint ventures and the financing of vessels and other marine assets. The team has notable experience in transactions relating to the trading, transport and export of crude oil, LNG and dry-bulk commodities, as well as advising on one of the first floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facilities. Collaborating with the firm’s renewable and clean energy project lawyers, the team is well-equipped to advise developers and investors on vessel and port issues that arise in offshore wind projects, notably concerning the Jones Act. John Michael leads the practice from Houston, harnessing experience in admiralty litigation alongside a strong transactional practice, to represent clients in cross-border and domestic maritime and energy transactions and regulatory counseling concerning Jones Act compliance.

The team at Winston & Strawn LLP combines strong litigation and regulatory practice with broad experience in shipping finance deals, representing both domestic and international entities in various vessel-related transactions. The team leverages extensive experience in Jones Act matters, notably financing and foreign investments in Jones Act vessels and companies, as well as offering a dedicated project finance team to handle complex maritime deals and projects. In Washington DC, Charlie Papavizas chairs the firm’s marine and admiralty practice, representing leading US and foreign vessel owners and operators, private equity, commercial banks and other financial institutions. A significant mandate involves advising Maersk Offshore Wind in a joint venture with Edison Chouest Offshore for the construction and operation of a windfarm feeder concept, including Jones Act-compliant tugs and barges, to be delivered in 2026. Bryant Gardner handles maritime government contract negotiations and disputes, alongside US flag program and Jones Act compliance matters.