Overview
As a member of Lugenbuhl’s Maritime & Transportation group, Alan Davis represents vessel owners and operators, terminal and cargo interests and marine insurers in all manner of disputes and incidents arising from domestic and international maritime commerce. Alan’s diverse practice includes litigation arising from vessel collisions, allisions, environmental incidents, personal injuries, maritime liens, carriage of goods and criminal matters. He also represents clients in administrative and regulatory agency proceedings before the National Pollution Fund Center, Customs and Border Protection, and the Office of Foreign Asset Control, among others. As well, Alan assists clients with contracts, charter parties and company policies aimed at avoiding disputes before they arise.
Alan provides start-to-finish representation and creative solutions to his clients. He often begins the process within hours of an incident with an on-scene investigation and by coordinating with state and federal authorities, and concludes with briefing and oral argument before an appellate court. From beginning to end, Alan looks for opportunities to add value on his clients’ behalf with imaginative and insightful legal arguments, settlement proposals and litigation strategies.
Outside the Office
Alan spends a majority of his free time working on home improvement and DIY projects, including tinkering with the garage home theater he built to sustain his family’s passion for movies during the COVID lockdown. He also enjoys cooking and distance running, including having run several half-marathons and marathons with more on the horizon.
- Cole v. Oceaneering, Inc., et al, 2:21-cv-1348, E.D.La., April-August 2023: Obtained summary judgment on defense and indemnity claims against the employer of a Jones Act seaman for injury and illness allegedly resulting from misdiagnosis by an offshore medical service provider, establishing a limit to indemnity for claims “arising out of” contractor’s services.
- Archer Daniels Midland Company v. M/T AMERICAN LIBERTY, et al, 2:19-cv-10525, E.D.La., May 2022: Obtained a mid-trial Rule 52(c) judgment in favor of the operator of two tugboats involved in the catastrophic collision of an oil tanker with shoreside facilities, fully exonerating the tugs of any wrongdoing.
- Ms Provence Schiffahrtsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG et al v. AGAPIS M/V, et al, 2:17-cv-4965, E.D.La. May 2021: Obtained a trial judgment absolving a vessel from responsibility for a breakaway occurring hours after the vessel’s allision with barge fleet, interrupting the chain of causation and clarifying the responsibilities of a fleet operator for safekeeping of the fleet.
- Llagas v. Sealift Holdings, Inc., 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 101769 (W.D.La. 2019): Obtained a defense judgment dismissing claims against an American vessel operator by a foreign seaman claiming nonpayment of wages, following the successful removal of the seaman’s suit to federal court and contested referral to foreign arbitration.
- Sunglory Maritime, Ltd. v. PHI, Inc., No. 2:15-cv-0896, E.D.La., September 2016: Won a salvage award at trial in favor of a bulk carrier following a helicopter’s emergency landing on a hatch cover, establishing a new precedent for marine salvage claims.
- World Fuel Servs. PTE v. M/V AS VARESIA, 727 Fed. Appx. 811 (5th Cir. 2018): Defeated a maritime lien claim filed upon a foreign vessel’s first call at a U.S. port following the domestic supply of bunkers by successfully arguing for application of laches. The result was upheld on appeal following oral argument.
- SCL Basilisk AG v. Agribusiness United Savannah Logistics LLC, 875 F.3d 609 (11th Cir. 2017): Avoided Rule B garnishment of a client’s accounts under Georgia state law providing for provisional remedies in anticipation of arbitration, relying on the historical nature of maritime attachment and legislative history of state law. The result was upheld on appeal following oral argument.
- Castleton Commodities Shipping Co. Pte. Ltd. v. HSL Shipping & Logistics (NA), Inc., 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 110657 (E.D.La. 2016): Successfully vacated a vessel attachment and obtained dismissal of a suit on grounds that bareboat charter parties were in reality disguised construction and sale agreements incapable of giving rise to maritime liens.
- Shah v. Blue Wake Shipping, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 165561 (W.D.La. 2016): Sustained the removal of a Jones Act claim to federal court pursuant to the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, resulting in a suspension of U.S. proceedings in favor of foreign arbitration.
- Cockett Marine Limited v. M/V Lion, et al., 2011 WL 1833286 (E.D.La. 2011): Successfully obtained an order vacating a Rule C arrest and Rule B attachment of a vessel seized for alleged nonpayment of bunkers, including an award of costs and fee against the seizing party.
Professional Affiliations
- Louisiana State Bar Association
- New Orleans Bar Association
- Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit
- Young Leadership Council
- Best Lawyers in America (2024)
- Louisiana Super Lawyers (2024)
- Inside New Orleans Reader’s Favorite “Elite Lawyers” (2022-2023)
- Louisiana Super Lawyers, “Rising Stars” (2015-2020)
- Benchmark Litigation, “Future Star” (2019)
