Montgomery McCracken Adds Three Maritime Attorneys in New York

Types : Press Releases

NEW YORK–In a significant move bolstering the firm’s capabilities in the area of maritime law and representation of oceangoing ship owners, operators and their insurers, Montgomery McCracken is pleased to announce the addition of three attorneys to the Maritime and Transportation practice group in the firm’s New York office. Eugene J. O’Connor and Timothy Semenoro join as partners and Robert E. O’Connor joins as an associate. All three were previously at the maritime law firm of Chalos O’Connor, LLP, where they worked on cases involving the RICKMERS GENOA and MSC FLAMINIA.

“We are simply delighted that Gene, Tim and Bobby have joined Montgomery McCracken,” said John J. Levy, chair of the firm’s Maritime and Transportation practice area. “They bring a wealth of experience and knowledge with them, and a proven track record of success. Their reputations are excellent; they have a strong and loyal client base; and, after having worked together with them on the M/T ATHOS I litigation, we know and respect them, as colleagues and as friends. It is a perfect match.”

Eugene O’Connor has nearly 40 years of experience in maritime and environmental law, and focuses his practice on marine pollution; litigation of marine casualties, such as collisions, groundings and fires at sea; marine salvage and general average; defense of cargo claims; and the arbitration of charter party disputes. He frequently counsels clients on the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90), and has substantial experience in representing Responsible Parties with respect to oil spill responses and cleanup, coral reef groundings and restoration, natural resource damage assessments (NRDA), defense of third party claims, and claims for reimbursement to the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (OSTLF) as administered by the U.S. Coast Guard through the National Pollution Fund Center (NPFC). A few of his notable OPA 90 cases involved the BOUCHARD B155, NORTH CAPE, NEW CARISSA and CAPE FLATTERY. He has also represented terminal owners and operators in litigation involving crane accidents. He is a Proctor member of the Maritime Law Association of the United States and is also a member of the Connecticut Maritime Association.

Timothy Semenoro’s practice includes marine casualties, the U.S. Limitation of Liability Act (Limitation Act) and Fire Statute, the U.S. Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (COGSA), general average, insurance defense, charter party and contract disputes, environmental liability and damages, maritime arrest and attachment and general admiralty and maritime law. He primarily represents international companies, vessel owners, charterers, Protection and Indemnity Clubs (P&I Clubs), Hull Clubs and insurers in complex, multiparty litigations; arbitrations; mediations; and appeals. Prior to becoming an attorney, he was a naval architect and marine engineer with the firm of CG International, Inc.

Robert O’Connor focuses his practice on maritime and environmental matters. He represents ship owners and operators in litigation relating to collision, allision and fire casualties, and Responsible Parties in agency actions and civil litigation relating to the OPA 90. He also counsels ship owners and operators on the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS), and MARPOL Annex VI Emissions Control Areas (ECA) and fuel oil sulphur limits. Prior to becoming an attorney, he worked at Triangle Economics Research, LLC, an environmental economics research firm, where he consulted Responsible Parties on NRDAs.

Montgomery McCracken’s Maritime and Transportation practice serves all sectors of the maritime industry including ship owners, charterers, pilots, cargo owners, shipyards, terminals, commodities traders, non-vessel operators and non-vessel operating common carriers. The multifaceted practice includes cargo and products claims; bankruptcy and restructuring; corporate and finance matters; sustainable growth; and defense of criminal investigations, including corporate compliance matters.

About Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads LLP

Montgomery McCracken is a multidisciplinary law firm with more than 120 attorneys in offices in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Delaware. Its attorneys provide legal services to clients in a wide range of industries both nationwide and internationally.