Admiralty Attorneys, How to Pick the Right One
If you are interested in hiring an admiralty attorney, you can review their results by going to Lexis or Westlaw and doing a search for that lawyer's results both in the trial court and the appellate court.
YOU CAN CHECK AN ATTORNEY'S RESULTS
You can find out a lot about a maritime lawyer by searching the web using his name. Check newspaper stories on line. Also you can go to Lexis Nexis and see copies of all opinions in which an attorney is mentioned and read directly about the results of cases that the attorney has handled. West Law has the same type of a data base.
LIPCON, MARGULIES & ALSINA'S ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS
1. Have you ever represented a shipping company as their maritime lawyer?
No.
2. Have you or any family members ever worked for a shipping company as an employee?
No.
3. As a maritime lawyer how many cases have you handled while representing an injured seaman?
Approximately 1,000 cases or more.
4. As a maritime lawyer how many cases have you handled while representing an injured passenger?
Approximately 200 cases or more.
5. As a maritime lawyer have you tried a seaman's or passenger's case to a verdict?
Yes, numerous times. Our estimate is more than 100 trials in state and federal courts.
6. What is the amount of the highest verdict your client has received in a trial?
Approximately $25 million for an injured seaman.
7. Have you handled any landmark cases in the admiralty and maritime field?
Yes. Please take a look at our numerous landmark cases.
8. As a maritime lawyer how many of your cases have gone on appeal?
Approximately 30 to 40 cases.
9. How many years of maritime lawyer experience do you have in the admiralty and maritime area representing injured seaman and passengers?
One of our maritime lawyers has more than 30 years of experience. Two other attorneys have a combined experience of about 15 years. Two other maritime lawyers have about 1 year experience each. The total experience for all members of the firm is about 50 years in the area of admiralty and maritime law.
10. Have you ever represented a seaman's union?
We have worked with and are still working with some of the major seaman's unions in the United States and out side of the United States.
11. Have you written any books or articles dealing with admiralty or maritime claims?
Yes. Seaman's Rights in the United States When Involved in an Accident is available for download as are numerous articles regarding maritime claims. Also, we publish the Cruise Line Law Reporter, a monthly e-newsletter that you can sign up for free.
12. Have you ever lectured on admiralty or maritime law?
Yes. The recording of a presentation made in Montreal at the American Trial Lawyers Association (ATLA) convention is available for download. Also, lectures have been given to various legal groups as well as law students at the University of Miami.
13. What is your maritime lawyer rating with Martindale Hubbel?
Martindale Hubbel rates attorneys both for ability and for ethics. Their highest rating is AV. Two maritime lawyers in this firm have achieved this rating.
