As a member of Lugenbuhl’s Admiralty & Maritime group, Alan represents vessel owners, operators, and 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, environmental incidents, personal injuries, maritime liens, carriage of goods, and criminal matters; representation of 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; and preparation of 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. His representation often begins with an on-scene investigation and coordination with state and federal authorities within hours of an incident 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 legal arguments, settlement proposals, and litigation strategies.

Representation

• Ms Provence Schiffahrtsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG et al v. AGAPIS M/V, et al, 2:17-cv-4965, E.D.La. – Obtained trial judgment absolving vessel from breakaway occurring hours after vessel’s allision with barge fleet, interrupting chain of causation and clarifying responsibilities of fleet operator for safekeeping of fleet.
• Llagas v. Sealift Holdings, Inc., 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 101769 (W.D.La. 2019) – Successfully maintained removal to federal court and referral to foreign arbitration of seaman’s wage claim by non-signatory to contract based on state law principles of third-party reliance on contract’s terms.
• Sunglory Maritime, Ltd. v. PHI, Inc., No. 2:15-cv-0896, E.D.La. – Won salvage award at trial in favor of bulk carrier following helicopter’s emergency landing on hatch cover, establishing new precedent for marine salvage claims.
• World Fuel Servs. PTE v. M/V AS VARESIA, 727 Fed. Appx. 811 (5th Cir. 2018) – Defeated maritime lien claim filed up foreign vessel’s first call in U.S. port following domestic supply of bunkers by successfully arguing for application of laches. Result 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 client’s accounts under Georgia state law providing for provisional remedies in anticipation of arbitration, relying on historical nature of maritime attachment and legislative history of state law. Result 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 vessel attachment and obtained dismissal of 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 removal of Jones Act claim to federal court pursuant to 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.