Overview
Eugene (“Gene”) J. O’Connor is a partner in Montgomery McCracken’s litigation department with nearly 40 years of experience in maritime and environmental law, focusing on marine pollution, ship casualty litigation, cargo defense, and charter party arbitration.
Gene frequently counsels clients on the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) and has substantial experience representing Responsible Parties in matters involving oil spill response and cleanup, coral reef groundings and restoration, natural resource damage assessments, defense of third-party claims, and claims for reimbursement from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, which is administered by the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Pollution Funds Center.
In Depth
Eugene J. O'Connor has nearly 40 years of experience in maritime and environmental law and focuses his practice on marine pollution, litigation of ship casualties, cargo defense and arbitration of charter party disputes.
Gene 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). He has written and lectured extensively on these subjects in the United States, Europe and Asia.
Prior to joining Montgomery McCracken, Gene was a partner with Chalos O'Connor LLP.
Gene received a J.D. degree from Fordham University School of Law. He graduated from the College of the Holy Cross.
How Eugene Helps
- Marine casualty litigation
- Coral reef grounding and restoration matters
- Natural resource damage assessments
- Cargo defense and charter party arbitration
The Record
Credentials
Admitted to Practice
- New York
- Supreme Court of the United States
- United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
Selected Representations
- Acted as counsel for the responsible party in numerous oil pollution incidents, including many of the largest OPA ’90 cases, such as: GENMAR PROGRESS (2007) in Puerto Rico; the ATHOS I (2004) in Philadelphia; ANTHEA Y (2003) in New York; the DREDGE STUYVESANT (1999) in California; the ANITRA (1997) in New Jersey; the NORTH CAPE (1996) in Rhode Island; and the B-155 (1993) in Tampa Bay; also claims by responsible parties to the National Pollution Fund Center.
- Served as counsel on serious coral damage cases in Puerto Rico, Florida, Hawaii and U.S. Pacific Territories, including the MELL SENTOSA in Micronesia (2011); the PORT STEWART (2009), the MATTHEW (2009), the MARGARA (2006), and the FORTUNA REEFER (1997) in Puerto Rico; the ATC 350 (1998) in Florida; and the VOGETRADER (2010) and CAPE FLATTERY (2005) in Hawaii.
- Acted as counsel in a number of major marine casualties, including the MSC FLAMINIA (explosion and fire in the Atlantic, 2012); the NEW DELHI EXPRESS (grounding in NY harbor, 2006); the RICKMERS GENOA (collision and fire, South China Sea, 2005); the ATHOS I (allision with abandoned anchor in Delaware River, 2004); the DSV MR. SONNY (anchor drag in L. I. Sound, 2002); the NEW CARISSA ( wreck on Oregon coast, 1999); the BRIGHT FIELD (allision in New Orleans, 1996); the RECIFE (fire in the Atlantic, 1991); and the DAMODAR TANABE (fire in the Pacific, 1985).
Selected Speaking Engagements
- April 2015 Panelist “Current Issues in US Casualty Investigations and Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) Expectations in the Post-‘Deep Water Horizon’ Environment” MLA Marine Torts and Casualties Committee Spring Meeting
- December 2008 Presenter “Multi-Modal Carrier Liability Limits Post-Kirby” Ladner Gervais Annual Maritime Law Seminar
Selected Publications
- June 2025 Author “Shake Up at DOJ Energy and Natural Resources Division” OPA 90 Forum Newsletter
- April 2020 Mentioned
- March 2020 Co-Author
- March 2020 Mentioned
- December 2017 Author
- January 2017 Author “The Saga of the Athos I Litigation Continues: Recent Decision on Safe Berth Warranty and Wharfinger’s Negligence” The Charterers P&I Club Newsletter
- January 2015 Quoted “US environment agency targets higher civil ECA fines” TradeWinds
- September 2014 Quoted “Deepwater Horizon ruling puts focus on prevention” TradeWinds
- August 2014 Co-Author “Stepped Up Enforcement in the North American ECA: August 2014 Update” Legal Briefing
- August/October 2006 Co-Author “Legal Implications of Coral Reef Damage in the United States” Gard News, Issue No. 183
- January 2002 Co-Author “The Fire Defenses Under U.S. Law” Journal of Maritime Law and Commerce
Honors & Awards
- Selected to Chambers and Partners USA – Transportation: Shipping/Maritime: Litigation (New York) list from 2021-2026. The award is issued by Chambers USA and a description of the selection methodology can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey or the highest court of any other state.
- Selected to The Best Lawyers in America® – Admiralty and Maritime Law list in 2022-2027. This list is issued by Best Lawyers® and a description of the selection methodology can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey or the highest court of any other state.
Professional Activities
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, Maritime Law Association of the United States
- Member, Connecticut Maritime Association
- Chair, Zoning and Appeals Board, Village of Plandome Heights
Education
Law School
- Fordham University School of Law
Undergraduate School
- College of the Holy Cross
Insights
Shared Thinking
Talk With Eugene
New York 212-551-7734 eoconnor@mmwr.com