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Jeff Vogel contributed an article to Marine Link discussing the challenges the U.S. offshore wind market faced in 2023.
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Cozen O’Connor’s maritime regulatory practice is one of the largest, oldest, and most renowned in the nation. The group has been recognized as one of four Band 1 Shipping/Maritime: Regulatory teams by Chambers and Partners USA. Cozen O’Connor attorneys have also earned a reputation for excellence among top regulators in Washington, D.C. Members of our team have directly shaped U.S. maritime law, testifying before Congress on legislative reforms and serving on U.S. delegations to negotiate and implement bilateral and international transportation and security agreements.
Attorneys at Cozen O’Connor represent major U.S. and non-U.S. liner, roro, bulker, and tanker carriers and shipowners; ocean carrier alliances, pools, and vessel-sharing agreements; equipment pools; ocean carrier associations; international and domestic cruise lines; marine terminal operators; offshore energy operators; entities associated with offshore wind turbines and other marine construction projects; ocean transportation intermediaries; and dredging, towage, and other industrial vessel operators.
We counsel clients on all regulations enforced by the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), including vessel-sharing agreements, tariffs and service contracts, and niche or specialty agreements. Cozen O’Connor’s team has drafted and finalized more liner service contracts and carrier agreements than any other maritime firm group in the United States.
U.S. regulators often oversee the conduct of non-U.S. transportation companies. Our attorneys have deep experience representing non-U.S. clients and helping both U.S. and non-U.S. clientele understand extraterritorial maritime and competition law requirements. We frequently assist clients dealing with non-U.S. governments on issues relating to regulatory compliance and reform. We counsel clients on regulations enforced by the FMC, Maritime Administration, U.S. Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, Office of Foreign Assets Control, Military Sealift Command, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Department of Transportation, and Department of Homeland Security.
The firm’s regulatory attorneys advise clients on the flagging or reflagging of vessels according to the maritime laws of the United States, the Republic of Vanuatu, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Liberia. We help clients comply with a litany of other U.S. maritime laws (e.g., Jones Act, Towing and Salvage Statute, Dredging Statute, Passenger Vessel Services Act, and American Fisheries Act) and the requirements of various maritime promotional programs (e.g., cargo preference programs and the Maritime Security Program). We also provide clear guidance on environmental and offshore energy regulations, sanctions, and embargos.
Cozen O'Connor has an excellent maritime practice with a solid reputation for advising clients on issues including US sanctions, regulatory compliance and cabotage laws, among others.
July 22, 2024
Jeff Vogel contributed an article to Marine Link discussing the recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions, which have fundamentally changed the ways laws are interpreted and enforced by federal agencies.
June 06, 2024
Jeff Vogel contributed an article to Marine Link discussing a letter to President Biden that focuses on enhancing the U.S. industrial shipbuilding base in the commercial and military sectors.
March 01, 2024
Jeff Vogel contributed an article to Marine Link discussing the challenges the U.S. offshore wind market faced in 2023.
February 09, 2024
Jeff Vogel contributed an article to Marine News discussing the crucial maritime decisions the 116th Congress faces this year that will have a long lasting impact on our nation’s security and economy.
December 21, 2023
Jeff Vogel contributed an article to Marine Link discussing what the political leadership in Washington, D.C., accomplished for the maritime industry in 2023.
October 13, 2023
Jeff Vogel contributed an article to Marine Link discussing the status of the development of the U.S. offshore wind industry.
August 16, 2023
Jeff Vogel contributed an article to Marine Link discussing the Empire State VIII, the first national Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV).
December 05, 2022
The FMC released “Interim Procedures for Processing Charge Complaints” filed with the Commission under the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022.
November 04, 2022
Jeff Vogel and Matthew Howell contributed an article for Maritime Logistics Professionals discussing the recent hearing from the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee (T&I Committee) and Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
November 04, 2022
Jeff Vogel contributed an article to Marine Link discussing the guarantee that leadership changes will occur in some of the critical Congressional leadership positions that will impact the maritime industry.
October 06, 2022
The new bill marks an inflection point in an era of increased regulatory scrutiny of maritime practices, particularly detention and demurrage (D&D) charges.
November 11, 2021
Larry Prosen discusses DoD's Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking updating its existing, relatively young, CMMC model certification to a CMMC 2.0 structure.
April 01, 2021
Jeff Vogel contributed an article to MarineLink discussing Biden's issuance of the "Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad” and the impact this has had on offshore oil and gas development.
March 17, 2021
Michael Connolly, Amorie Hummel, William Lesser, Heidi Schwartz, Josh Stein, and James Van Orden discuss New Jersey and New York's offshore wind energy policies and what the Biden administration has already done to advance offshore wind energy development in federal waters.
February 03, 2021
Jeff Vogel and Josh Stein discuss CBP’s recent decision that addresses and concedes OMSA’s core issue by now acknowledging that the pristine seabed of the OCS is a coastwise point.
December 07, 2020
Josh Stein discusses the announcement that both chambers of Congress have reached an agreement on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2021 and how it may impact the offshore wind industry.
November 17, 2020
Jeff Vogel contributed an article to Marine News discussing what impact the election has on the U.S. workboat industry.
October 13, 2020
Jeff Vogel discusses the FMC's ANPRM seeking public comment on potential regulatory changes to its passenger vessel operator financial responsibility requirements.
September 09, 2020
Jeff Vogel contributed an article to Marine News discussing how the maritime industry- including the offshore sector- was noticeably absent from the free flow of federal funding in the CARES Act or the subsequent Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act.
July 27, 2020
Josh Stein discusses the regulatory and legislative activity at the end of last year and the early part of this year that could impact the offshore wind industry.
May 26, 2020
Wayne Rohde discusses the Federal Maritime Commission National Shipper Advisory Committee Act of 2019 and the establishment of an advisory committee to the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) for policy matters relating to the competitiveness, reliability, integrity, and fairness of the international ocean freight delivery system.
May 20, 2020
Jeff Vogel, Matt Howell, and Anne Mickey discuss the Executive Order on Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth that seeks to reduce the need for imported seafood, which makes up roughly 85 percent of consumption in the United States.
April 16, 2020
Bob Magovern and Wayne Rohde discuss the FMC's order aimed at developing improvements to the U.S. ocean transportation supply chain through the use innovation teams.
March 25, 2020
Geoffrey Ferrer and Anne Mickey discuss vessel registries relaxing original document requirements and accommodating the acknowledgment process without the need for a face-to-face meeting.
March 24, 2020
Geoffrey Ferrer and Anne Mickey discuss the temporary modification to the mortgage recording and acknowledgments requirements set out in the Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Act.
February 18, 2025
Geoffrey Ferrer, Shane Hardy, Michael Osborne, Melissa Siebert, and Steven Weisz were ranked in their practice areas based on their legal knowledge and experience, ability, effectiveness and client service.
January 23, 2025
Geoffrey Ferrer, co-vice chair of the firm’s Transportation & Trade group and a member of the Marshall Islands Bar, has been ranked in the Chambers Asia-Pacific 2025 Guide.
December 11, 2024
Josh Stein, a member of the firm’s Transportation & Trade Practice, has been appointed vice chair of the International Transportation Committee of the American Bar Association International Law Section.
November 08, 2024
Kathryn Sobotta was featured in a Law360 article discussing Cozen O’Connor’s veteran attorney resource group and her experience in the military.
November 07, 2024
In 2024, Best Lawyers received more than 100,000 client references and observed a 65% increase in client participation in their survey.
August 15, 2024
Best Lawyers selected 242 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s U.S. offices for inclusion in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.
August 09, 2024
Jeff Vogel was quoted in a SeatradeMaritime News article discussing the impact the United States Supreme Court decision in Loper Bright may have on the Federal Maritime Commission.
July 10, 2024
The Legal 500 United States named Cozen O’Connor’s Aviation, Construction, Immigration, Insurance, Maritime, and Mergers & Acquisitions practices and Cozen O’Connor attorneys Scott Bettridge, Raymond DeLuca, Michael Deutsch, Geoffrey Ferrer, Bruce Ficken, Jonathon Foglia, David Heffernan, Matthew Howell, James Kwartnik, Robert Magovern, Jeffrey Mullen, Patrick Rizzi, Rachel Schwartz, Josh Stein, Jeff Vogel, and Rachel Welford to its 2024 Legal Guide.
June 10, 2024
Chambers USA rankings are based on an “assessment of a firm’s work and opinions from external market sources, with an emphasis on client feedback.” In order to be ranked in the guide, lawyers and firms must demonstrate “sustained excellence.”
April 22, 2024
Seven attorneys were recognized as Super Lawyers and four were named Rising Stars, a list that recognizes attorneys under the age of 40.
August 17, 2023
Best Lawyers selected 232 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s U.S. offices for inclusion in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.
July 28, 2023
These lists recognize lawyers “mastering,” “leading,” “revolutionizing,” and “dominating” their fields in their respective states and nationwide.
July 10, 2023
Cozen O'Connor's Aviation (Litigation/Regulation), Construction, L&E, M&A (Midmarket), Shipping (Finance and Litigation/Regulation) practices were ranked by the Legal 500.
June 05, 2023
Of the 88 lawyers ranked, 17 lawyers have been recognized nationally, and eighteen were recognized in Band 1. Eight of the firm's practice areas have been recognized nationally, and nine were ranked Band 1.
December 27, 2022
Cozen O’Connor is pleased to announce that Geoffrey Ferrer, co-vice chair of the firm’s Transportation & Trade group, and a member of the Marshall Islands Bar, has been ranked in the Chambers Asia-Pacific 2023 Guide.
November 30, 2022
U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers recognized Cozen O’Connor as a “Best Law Firm” in 30 practice areas nationwide and 115 practice areas regionally.
August 22, 2022
210 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.
July 11, 2022
For 30 years, The Legal 500 has assessed the strengths of law firms in more than 100 jurisdictions. The rankings use a series of criteria, including client feedback, submissions from law firms, and interviews with leading private practice lawyers.
June 02, 2022
Chambers USA, the leading annual guide to the top lawyers and law firms in the United States, has ranked 86 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields in the guide’s 2022 edition.
October 28, 2021
Cozen O’Connor is pleased to announce that Jeffrey Lawrence, chair of the firm’s Transportation & Trade Group, David Heffernan, vice chair of the firm’s Transportation & Trade Group, Jonathon Foglia, member of the firm’s Transportation & Trade Group, and Marc Fink, of counsel, have all been selected to Who’s Who Legal: Transport 2022 —a guide to the world’s leading transport lawyers.
June 17, 2021
The Legal 500 United States named Cozen O’Connor’s Aviation, Construction, Immigration, Insurance, and Maritime practices and Cozen O’Connor attorneys Scott Bettridge, Raymond DeLuca, Geoffrey Ferrer, Bruce Ficken, David Heffernan, Jeffrey Lawrence, Robert Magovern, Anne Mickey, Jeffrey Mullen, Josh Stein, Jeff Vogel, and Rachel Welford to its 2021 Legal Guide.
May 26, 2021
Chambers USA, the leading annual guide to the top lawyers and law firms in the United States, has ranked 82 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields in the guide’s 2021 edition; of those, 15 lawyers have been recognized nationally.
November 10, 2020
Jeff Vogel was featured in an article published by Ship Technology discussing how Joe Biden's administration will impact the maritime sector.
November 09, 2020
Jeff Vogel was featured in an article published by Ship Technology discussing what key changes the Biden administration will need to put in place for the maritime industry.
November 03, 2020
Jeff Vogel was featured in an article published by Ship Technology discussing Donald Trump’s impact on the maritime industry over the past four years.
June 22, 2020
The Legal 500 United States named Cozen O’Connor’s Aviation, Construction, Immigration, Insurance, and Maritime practices and Cozen O’Connor attorneys Scott Bettridge, Stephen Cozen, Raymond DeLuca, Geoffrey Ferrer, Bruce Ficken, David Heffernan, Jeffrey Lawrence, Robert Magovern, Anne Mickey, Jeffrey Mullen, Josh Stein, Christopher Sweeney, and Jeff Vogel to its 2020 Legal Guide.
May 14, 2020
Chambers USA, the leading annual guide to the top lawyers and law firms in the United States, has ranked 63 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields in the guide’s 2020 edition.