Biography
Robert E. O’Connor is a general litigator and a partner of the firm’s Maritime and Transportation practice group. He represents insurers, owners and operators of vessels, and marine fuel suppliers among others. He specializes in environmental matters relating to oil pollution and coral damage under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, emissions regulations under MARPOL, and criminal investigations under the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships. He has significant experience handling claims arising from major marine casualties such as collisions, allisions, and fires under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act and the Shipowners’ Limitation of Liability Act. Recently, he was lead counsel to one of the world’s largest marine fuel suppliers in connection with its bankruptcy proceedings and related litigation.
Robert also has experience arbitrating charter party disputes, attaching and arresting vessels and other property, drafting documents for the sale and purchase of vessels, and advising shippers and carriers about customs regulations. He provides pro bono legal assistance to mariners during suspension and revocation proceedings before the United States Coast Guard.
Before joining Montgomery McCracken, Robert was an associate with Chalos O’Connor LLP. Previously he was a research assistant with an environmental economics consulting firm where he conducted natural resource damage assessments.
Selected Representations
- Counseled one of the world’s largest marine fuel suppliers in connection with its bankruptcy proceedings and related litigation.
- Represented fleet owner and operator in connection with a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency investigation concerning compliance with MARPOL Annex VI Emissions Control Areas (ECA) and fuel oil sulphur limits.
- Represented OPA 90 Responsible Parties during NRDAs and when presenting claims for reimbursement to the National Pollution Funds Center and the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund.
- Represented a ship owner and operator in connection with litigation arising from a collision, explosion, and fire on a vessel while at sea, before trial and appellate courts.
- Counseled foreign and domestic ownership interests in connection with the formation of holding companies and the purchase, documentation, and registration of vessels.
Selected Publications
- Noted in “OW Bunker Tells 2nd Circ. Subcontractors Can’t Claim Fuel,” Law360, October 13, 2017
- Noted in “Norwegian Must Arbitrate Fuel Row, Supplier Says,” Law360, September 8, 2017
- Noted in “US Judge Seeks Input On English Ruling In Similar Fuel Row,” Law360, September 5, 2017
- Noted in “Norwegian Cruise Lines Can’t Block Arbitration, Court Told,” Law360, August 28, 2017
- Co-authored “Recent Developments in Admiralty and Maritime Law,” American Bar Association’s Tort Trial & Insurance Law Journal, Winter 2017
- Quoted “’Growing Consensus’ Over Who Should Be Paid Disputed OW Bunker Bills,” Ship & Bunker, January 25, 2017
- Noted in “OW Bunker Holds Maritime Liens In Payment Row, Judge Says,” Law360, January 9, 2017
- Co-authored “The International Collapse of OW Bunker,” DRI’s For The Defense, April 2016
- Quoted “OW’s US arms pursue $45m in unpaid bills,” Tradewinds News, December 30, 2015
- Quoted “O.W. Bunker USA can complete liquidation,” The Deal, December 29, 2015
O.W. Bunker USA can complete liquidation
- Quoted “OW’S US Arms in Talks to Forge ‘Consensual’ Bankruptcy Plan,” Tradewinds News, May 14, 2015
- Quoted “Shippers pay into US court to prevent ship detention after OW Bunker collapse,” Reuters, January 14, 2015
- Quoted “Lawyer: Shipowners keep paper trail for ECA-compliant fuels,” Bunkerworld News, December 15, 2014
- Co-authored, “A Modern Twist On A Charter Party Contract,” Mealey’s International Arbitration Report, September 2014
- Co-authored “Stepped Up Enforcement in the North American ECA: August 2014 Update,” Legal Briefing, August 18, 2014
- Authored “Sulphur Oxide Emissions Regulations – USA,” UK P&I Club Bulletin 954, March 2014
Selected Speaking Engagements
- Presenter, “Bunkers in the US: Compliance with Emissions Regulations and Enforcement of Maritime Liens”, International Maritime Law Seminar, October 2018, London, England
- Presenter, “OPA 90 – Liability & Claims”, Gallagher Marine Systems – 2017 Maritime Symposiums, November 2017, Athens, Greece and London, England
- Presenter, “MARPOL & The Department of Justice – Environmental Compliance Programs”, Gallagher Marine Systems – 2017 Maritime Symposium, July 2017, New Jersey, USA
- Presenter, “Athos I – Recovery of Response Costs and Damages,” Gallagher Marine Systems – 2016 Maritime Symposium, November 14, 2016, London, England
- Keynote Speaker, “Maritime Bankruptcies”, St. John’s Admiralty Law Society – Annual Dinner, April 2016
Professional Activities & Achievements
- New York State Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Maritime Law Association
- North American Marine Environmental Protection Association
- Connecticut Maritime Association
- American Caribbean Maritime Foundation
- At-Large Director
Academic Achievements
Robert received a J.D. degree from St. John’s University School of Law in 2010. He was the president of the Joseph A. Calamari Admiralty Law Society, editor in chief of and a frequent contributor to The Admiralty Practicum, and vice president of the Student Bar Association. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2005 with B.A. degrees in Economics and Environmental Studies.