Most Highly Regarded Firms: Texas 2008 - Shipping & Maritime
Official figures for May 2008 show Texas to be the leading US state in the export of manufactured commodities, generating 12.4 per cent of the country's total revenue in this sector.
Moreover, the state's cumulative export turnover so far this year, at over US$62 billion, is the second-highest in the country after California. At the centre of the region's trade is the port of Houston: the busiest port in the US for foreign tonnage and the 10th largest in the world. The state also has numerous smaller ports, such as Corpus Christi, Galveston and Port Arthur, lining the 624-mile shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico, alongside a booming inland waterway network. In response to the development of this exciting sector, this edition includes our first ever Texas-focused shipping & maritime chapter. Our research finds 15 lawyers from 10 firms to have risen to the top of the state's maritime marketplace, demonstrating the diversity as well as the strength of this expanding sector.
"A mainstay" of the Texas shipping Bar, Royston Rayzor Vickery & Williams LLP is the only firm to gain four nominations in this section. Sources voiced the "utmost respect for" litigation specialist James Cooney, whose recent engagements include charter parties, operating agreements, vessel repair and modification agreements and general maritime corporate transactions. Joining him is William Glenn, who has cultivated "a very good reputation" for his IP, insurance and litigation work. John Elsley and James Watkins were both described as "outstanding" by respondents and complete the firm's unrivalled showing in the chapter.
At Phelps Dunbar LLP, Thomas Nork's "excellent reputation" is built on personal injury claims, collision, pollution, contract and general liability claims as well as tort work. Daniel Pipitone of Chamberlain Hrdlicka White Williams & Martin is also considered a "top litigator" and has presented and argued cases before the US Supreme Court, US Court of Appeals, Panama Canal Authority and Rio Grande Valley state courts.
Two attorneys from Strasburger & Price LLP feature in this chapter. Chair of the firm's admiralty and maritime practice, William Mahley is "very well respected" for his defence work in tort, collision and damage claims as well as prosecuting in cargo contaminations and the general representation of shipyards in regulatory, financial and commercial matters. Accompanying him is Bijan Siahatgar, who has handled numerous tort cases for shipyards, barge companies and oilfields; he is also a member of the firm's energy and construction groups. White Mackillop & Baham PC also places two attorneys in this chapter: the "excellent" Ronald White and the "high-end" Innes Mackillop.
At Fulbright & Jaworski LLP, Edward Patterson received several nominations for his "tremendous" work in shipping tort, offshore oil and gas, and harbour workers' compensation cases. Also featured is Edward Murphy of Beirne Maynard & Parsons LLP. Considered "among the best in the state", Murphy has defended oilrigs and offshore drilling companies and acted for carriers in collision cases and torts.
Michael Bell is praised for his "excellent work" in offshore construction projects, vessel financing and environmental work arising from the maritime sector, including toxic tort; he represents Bell Ryniker & Letourneau PC in this chapter. At Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP, David Jungman handles maritime financing, corporate and commercial matters, with clients including Helix Energy Solutions, ENSCO and Technip Offshire. The "brilliant" Dennis Sullivan of Stepp & Sullivan PC also ranks highly for his inland waterway, offshore drilling and bluewater work.