Admiralty and Maritime Law

CWM has been a leading maritime and admiralty law firm in Virginia since its establishment in 1923.  Our maritime team is available 24/7 to assist clients and provide guidance when an emergency response is required.  The firm represents clients in matters involving vessel accidents, cargo damage, vessel and marina fires, personal injury and death, limitation of liability, vessel arrest and attachment, marine salvage and pollution.  With respect to U.S. marine casualties, the firm also represents vessel owners and operators in U.S. Coast Guard and OSHA investigations, as well as civil penalty proceedings with the Coast Guard. We also represent merchant mariners in license suspension and revocation proceedings before the Coast Guard. Other maritime support includes vessel financing, and vessel and facility pollution response plans.

We serve a broad cross-section of marine underwriters on a spectrum of maritime insurance issues, including defense, coverage determinations and disputes, bad faith defense, reservations, declaratory actions, reinsurance, excess liability and subrogation.  Underwriter interests represented include all aspects of marine and inland transportation, including hull and machinery, cargo, pollution, P&I, F.D.&.D., marine products liability defense, toxic tort, ship repairers and subrogation.

On the historic waterfront of the Elizabeth River in Norfolk, Virginia, the firm is situated to serve the maritime legal needs in the heart of the country’s premier naval, shipbuilding, and terminal operations port.

Our team of attorneys are experienced in the following:

  • Vessel Arrest and Attachment
  • Vessel Casualty and Collision
  • Cargo Damage and Bills of Lading
  • Charter Party Disputes
  • Environmental Liability
  • Insurance Coverage
  • Jones Act
  • Marine Contracts
  • Marina Operator Liability
  • Marine Insurance Coverage
  • Maritime Liens
  • Maritime Products Liability
  • Marine Oil Pollution
  • Riparian Rights
  • Salvage and Wreck Removal
  • Ship Repairer Liability
  • Subrogation
  • Towage Contracts and Disputes
  • Treasure Salvage

Transactional:

  • Charter Parties
  • Vessel Construction
  • Towage Contracts
  • Vessel Documentation
  • Vessel Sales
  • Vessel Finance


Representative Cases
In re: Norfolk Dredging Company,

(Civil No. 2:16-cv581) E.D. Va. Mar. 25, 2019

Addax Energy SA v. M/V YASA H MULLA,

(Civil no. 2:17-cv-641) E.D. Va. Nov. 21, 2018

Pridemore v. Hryniewich,

98 Va. Cir. 113, 127 (Cir. Ct. 2018)

Recovery Ltd. P’ship v. Wrecked & Abandoned Vessel,

263 F. Supp. 3d 606 (E.D. Va. 2017)

Recovery Ltd. P’ship v. Wrecked & Abandoned Vessel,

204 F. Supp. 3d 864 (E.D. Va. 2016)

Nat’l Union Fire Ins. Co. v. Brickyard Vessels, Inc.,

(Civil No. 1:14-cv-921) 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 155887 (E.D. Va. Nov. 4, 2014)

Flame S.A. v. Indus. Carriers,

2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 131981 (E.D. Va. Sept. 19, 2014)

Mullins v. River Docks Corp.,

791 F.Supp.2d 511 (E.D.Va. 2011)

Misener Marine Constr., Inc. v. Norfolk Dredging Co.,

594 F.3d 832 (11th Cir. 2010)

Norfolk and Portsmouth Belt Line RR Co. v. M/V MARLIN,

2009 A.M.C. 2465 (E.D. Va. 2009)

Styron v. Norfolk Dredging Co.,

262 F.R.D. 502, 502 (E.D.N.C. 2009)

Norfolk Dredging Company v. Wiley,

450 F.Supp.2d 620 (E.D. Va. 2006)

Vulcan Materials Company, Tug Chance Limitation Proceedings,

412 F.Supp.2d 566 and 369 F.Supp.2d 438 (E.D. Va. 2005)

Norfolk Dredging Company Derrick No. 4 Limitation Proceedings,

287 F.Supp.2d 674, 2003 A.M.C. 403 and 2622 (E.D.N.C. 2003)

Maersk Line Ltd. v. ADM, Inc.,

271 F.Supp.2d 818 (E.D.Va. 2003)

Eck v. United States, 1999 AMC 2941 (S.D.Cal); United States v. Phillips,

56 M.J. 771 (C.G. Ct. Crim. App. 2002)

Maritrans Operating Partners v. M/V BALSA 37,

64 F.3d 150, 1995 A.M.C. 2671 (4th Cir. 1995)

Gillikin v. Weeks Marine,

247 Va. 89 (1994)

Columbus-America Discovery Group, Inc. v. SS CENTRAL AMERICA,

742 F.Supp. 1327 (E.D.Va.1990), rev’d 974 F.2d 450 (4th Cir. 1992)

Cargill v. C & P Towing,

943 F.2d 48 (4th Cir. 1991)

Representative Clients

Dredging Companies

Commercial Fishing

Importers and Exporters

Marina Owners and Operators

Marine Construction Companies

Marine Fuel Suppliers

Marine Salvors

Seafood Industry

Shipyards

Terminal Operators

Tug and Barge Operators

U.S. and London Market Marine Insurers

Vessel Owners

Waterfront Facilities

Articles & Presentations

Steven M. Stancliff, “Ethical Dilemmas for Maritime Attorneys”, co-presenter at SEALI Annual Seminar (June 2016)

Steven Stancliff , “It’s No Fun Being an (Injured) Illegal Alien (Maritime Worker),” presented at SEALI Annual Meeting (2010)

James L. Chapman, “Shipping and Maritime Law 2014”, Roundtable Panel, presented by Corporate Live Wire (October 2014)

Steven Stancliff, “The Continuing Vitality of the Limitation of Liability Act,” presented at SEALI Annual Meeting (2009)

Steven Stancliff, “A Legal Guide to Pleasure Boating” — presented at Norfolk & Portsmouth Bar Association CLE Seminar — covering subjects including: the nautical rules of the road, the legal framework for Coast Guard search and rescue operations, the evolution of government maritime security regimes, laws for the protection of the environment, and law enforcement authorities on the navigable waters of the United States (May 2008 and 2010)

J. L. Chapman, “Red Letter Clauses in Marina Slip Leases,” presented at SEALI Annual Meeting (2008)

Steven Stancliff, State and Federal Cooperation in Maritime Homeland Security Mission; Panelist at National Association of State Boating Law Administrators 45th Annual Conference (2004)

Steven Stancliff, United Nations Conventions on the Law of the Sea, Maritime Security, and International Fisheries Law and Management; Defense International Institute of Legal Studies 2003 mission to the archipelagic state of Vanuatu.

 

News and Updates
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Crenshaw, Ware & Martin, P.L.C. named to 2024 Edition of U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms"
Posted on November 2, 2023
Crenshaw, Ware & Martin, P.L.C. is pleased to announce that the firm received rankings in 2024 edition of U. S. News - Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms.” The firm received Tier…...
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Crenshaw, Ware & Martin, P.L.C. named to 2023 Edition of U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms"
Posted on November 23, 2022
Crenshaw, Ware & Martin, PLC is pleased to announce that we received regional rankings in the 2023 edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers®“Best Law Firms.”  CWM received Tier…...
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Eight Crenshaw, Ware & Martin, P.L.C. Attorneys Named to 2022 Best Lawyers® in America List
Posted on August 19, 2021
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Posted on August 3, 2021
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Op-ed: Clear Evidence for Regional High Speed Connectivity by Darius K. Davenport, Esq.
Posted on May 17, 2021
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CWM Attorneys Recognized by Virginia Super Lawyers®
Posted on May 11, 2021
Crenshaw, Ware & Martin, P.L.C. is pleased to announce that eight of its lawyers have been selected for inclusion in the 2021 list of Virginia Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars. …...
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Darius Davenport Elected to Serve as 2021 Norfolk Division Board Chair, Hampton Roads Chamber
Posted on January 4, 2021
Norfolk, VA – Crenshaw, Ware & Martin is proud to announce that partner Darius Davenport was elected as the 2021 Norfolk Division Board Chair for the Hampton Roads Chamber. The…...
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Darius Davenport Appointed to Serve on the Norfolk Innovation Corridor Board of Directors
Posted on December 29, 2020
Norfolk, VA – Crenshaw, Ware & Martin is proud to announce that partner Darius Davenport was appointed to the Norfolk Innovation Corridor board of directors. The 33-member board of directors…...
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Crenshaw, Ware & Martin Promotes Grandy to Partner
Posted on December 28, 2020
Norfolk, VA – Crenshaw, Ware & Martin, P.L.C. is pleased to announce it has elected C. Wiley Grandy as a new partner. Mr. Grandy focuses his practice on complex business litigation,…...
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Video Conferencing Best Practices
Posted on April 24, 2020
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Posted on March 28, 2020
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Teleworking Data Security Tips
Posted on March 16, 2020
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Best Lawyers Releases 2020 “Best Law Firms” Metropolitan Rankings
Posted on November 4, 2019
Best Lawyers® has released the 2020 “Best Law Firms” metropolitan rankings.  Crenshaw, Ware & Martin, P.L.C. is proud to announce that the firm received a Tier 1 Metropolitan Ranking in…...
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Best Lawyers 2019 “Best Law Firms” Metropolitan Rankings
Posted on November 1, 2018
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CWM Attorneys Named to 2019 Best Lawyers® in America
Posted on August 15, 2018
Crenshaw, Ware & Martin PLC is pleased to announce that the following lawyers have been named to the 25th Edition of Best Lawyers in America. James L. Chapman IV Admiralty…...
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Steve Stancliff Elected as Officer of SEALI
Posted on December 7, 2017
Steve Stancliff, chair of the firm’s Admiralty & Maritime practice group, has been elected to serve as an officer of the Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute (SEALI). He most recently served…...
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Best Lawyers Releases 2018 “Best Law Firms” Metropolitan Rankings
Posted on November 2, 2017
Best Lawyers has released the 2018 “Best Law Firms” metropolitan rankings.  Crenshaw, Ware & Martin, P.L.C. is proud to announce that the firm received a Tier 1 Metropolitan Ranking in…...
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Six Crenshaw, Ware & Martin PLC Attorneys Named to 2018 Best Lawyers® in America
Posted on August 16, 2017
Crenshaw, Ware & Martin PLC is pleased to announce that six of its lawyers have been named to the 24th Edition of Best Lawyers in America. Delphine G. Carnes - Project…...
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CWM Attorneys Recognized by Virginia Super Lawyers®
Posted on April 17, 2017
Crenshaw, Ware & Martin, P.L.C. is pleased to announce that nine of its lawyers have been selected for inclusion in the 2017 list of Virginia Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars. …...
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U.S. News – Best Lawyers releases the 2017 “Best Law Firms” metropolitan rankings.
Posted on October 31, 2016
U.S. News – Best Lawyers has released the 2017 “Best Law Firms” metropolitan rankings.  Crenshaw, Ware & Martin, P.L.C. is proud to announce that the firm received a Tier…...
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Jim Chapman Represents Plaintiff, Receives 100% Treasure Salvage Award in S.S. Central America Case
Posted on September 7, 2016
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Seven Crenshaw, Ware & Martin PLC Attorneys Named to 2017 Best Lawyers® in America
Posted on August 15, 2016
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Best Law Firm Ranking by U.S. News
Posted on December 1, 2015
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CWM is pleased to announce seven lawyers named to the 2016 Edition of Best Lawyers in America
Posted on September 1, 2015
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Steven M. Stancliff Named Chair of the Firm's Admiralty & Maritime Practice Group
Posted on November 14, 2014
Mr. Stancliff joined the firm in 2007 following a distinguished career in the United States Coast Guard, retiring at the rank of Commander.  "Steve's background and expertise make him ideally…...
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Firm Receives Tier 1 Ranking for the 2015 Listing of Best Law Firms
Posted on November 3, 2014
Crenshaw, Ware & Martin received a Tier 1 Metropolitan Ranking for the 2015 listing of "Best Law Firms" by U.S. News and Best Lawyers in three practice areas:  Admiralty & Maritime…...
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2014 Corporate Live Wire Roundtable on Shipping & Maritime Law
Posted on October 14, 2014
James Chapman was a member of the panel of experts from around the world in the Shipping & Maritime Law 2014 roundtable presented by Corporate Live Wire.  The panel discussed the…...
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James Chapman and Steve Stancliff represent partnership in win for rights to salvage gold treasure
Posted on July 10, 2014
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CWM announces eight lawyers selected for inclusion in 2013 Virginia Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars
Posted on May 1, 2013
Crenshaw, Ware & Martin, P.L.C. is pleased to announce that eight of its lawyers were selected for inclusion in the 2013 Virginia Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars lists appearing in…...
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