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Please Note: UT Law CLE has been monitoring the situation in Houston, but as of this time the 26th Annual Admiralty and Maritime Law Conference will proceed as scheduled.  Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions at (512) 475-6700.
Conference art

26th Annual

Admiralty and Maritime Law Conference

Houston Sep 29, 2017 South Texas College of Law Houston
Conference Concluded
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Related products: eConference Materials
SPONSORS
Brice Mediation
Vinson & Elkins LLP
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Overview

Join UT Law Continuing Legal Education for the 26th Annual Admiralty and Maritime Law Conference – the leading annual Texas CLE event that focuses on legal developments in the specialized area of admiralty and maritime law. The conference opens with the always popular overview of recent developments at the national level and in the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits and offers a unique opportunity for practitioners to stay abreast of global and national developments affecting case law, contracts, and civil procedure.
 
2017 highlights include:

  • Insight into how specific coverage and dispute resolution provisions can become serious obstacles to the insured’s ability to collect, with James W. Ferguson of Halliburton
  • Discussion of the O.W. Bunker Litigation from the perspective of vessel owners, physical suppliers of necessaries, and secured lenders
  • Hon. Lynn H. Hughes, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, offers his views on the state of legal practice and the profession
  • State Law in Maritime Cases: The Devil’s Own Mess, with Hon. John W. deGravelles, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana
  • Bradley J. Jackson and the return of William J. Chriss to the interactive ethics favorite What to Do if Your Client is Misbehaving, Part VII
Don't miss this opportunity to learn from and interact with admiralty and maritime law experts.

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Event Schedule

Program is subject to change.
All times are Central Time Zone.

  • Time
    Credit
    Subject
    Speaker
  • Friday Morning, Sep. 29, 2017
    Presiding Officer:
    Stephany Olsen-LeGrand, Eversheds Sutherland - Houston, TX
  • 7:45 am
    Registration Opens
    Includes continental breakfast.

  • 8:20 am
    Welcoming Remarks

  • 8:30 am
    1.50 hrs
    Recent Developments in Admiralty and Maritime Law at the National Level and in the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits
    The seventeenth annual installment of the seminal paper surveys developments, identifies issues of genuine national importance, and discusses items of significant interest from the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits.

    David W. Robertson, The University of Texas School of Law - Austin, TX
    Matthew H. Ammerman, Law Office of Matthew H. Ammerman, P.C. - Houston, TX
    Co-Author:
    Michael F. Sturley, The University of Texas School of Law and National University of Singapore - Austin, TX and Singapore

  • 10:00 am
    Break

  • 10:15 am
    0.75 hr
    Jones Act and Cabotage Rules in the OCS
    Explore how the Customs and Border Protection Agency’s January 2017 notice of its intention to reverse its Jones Act exceptions resets the playing field for OCS subsea operations. Also, review the Jones Act waivers and other new developments, including wind farms.

    Samuel A. Giberga, Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. - Covington, LA
    Jonathan K. Waldron, Blank Rome LLP - Washington, DC

  • 11:00 am
    1.00 hr
    OW Bunker Litigation: Maritime Practitioners’ Perspectives
    Examine the procedural and substantive issues involving maritime liens, and the interplay of maritime lien and bankruptcy issues from the perspective of vessel owners, physical suppliers of necessaries, and secured lenders.

    Moderator:
    Julia M. (Adams) Palmer, Holland & Knight LLP - Houston, TX
    Panelists:
    Keith B. Letourneau, Blank Rome LLP - Houston, TX
    Bruce G. Paulsen, Seward & Kissel LLP - New York, NY
    James Harold Power, Holland & Knight LLP - New York, NY

  • 12:00 pm
    Pick Up Lunch
    Included in registration.

  • Friday Afternoon, Sep. 29, 2017
    Presiding Officer:
    Rachel Anne de Cordova, Phelps Dunbar LLP - Houston, TX
  • LUNCHEON PRESENTATION
  • 12:20 pm
    0.50 hr
    Introduction to Classification Societies
    Analyze the purpose and functions of classification societies in today’s world as well as the future of classification, including a review of the legal exposure of class.

    Robert G. Clyne, American Bureau of Shipping - Houston, TX

  • 12:50 pm
    Break

  • 1:05 pm
    0.50 hr
    State Law in a Maritime Case: "The Devil's Own Mess"
    Discover the complexity of and approaches to the issue of when it is appropriate to apply state law in a maritime case.

    Hon. John W. deGravelles, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana - Baton Rouge, LA

  • 1:35 pm
    0.50 hr
    0.25 hr ethics
    Mediating the Maritime Claim When Insurance Coverage is in Dispute
    Explore challenges and get suggestions for handling disputed coverage in conjunction with mediating a plaintiff’s underlying lawsuit. Examine the practical and legal perils and pitfalls of handling coverage issues in mediation by a defense lawyer hired by the insurance company under reservation of rights, the respective roles of defense lawyer/coverage counsel/insurance representative, and additional complications in educating the mediator on highly specialized insurance and maritime concepts.

    Robert J. Cunningham, Roach & Newton, LLP - Houston, TX

  • 2:05 pm
    0.50 hr
    Complex Insurance Coverage and Dispute Resolution Issues
    The wording in insurance policies is often underappreciated by the insured, particularly for catastrophic event coverage that is seldom called upon. But when a claim is pursued for a major incident such as the BP Deepwater Horizon blowout, both specific coverage and dispute resolution provisions can become serious obstacles to the insured’s ability to collect. What should be in your clients' policies?

    James W. Ferguson, Halliburton - Houston, TX

  • 2:35 pm
    0.75 hr
    Nearly Random Thoughts on the Law and Sea
    A conversation among Kenneth G. Engerrand, the audience, and Judge Hughes.

    Judge Lynn N. Hughes, United States District Court, Southern District of Texas - Houston, TX
    Kenneth G. Engerrand, Brown Sims, P.C. - Houston, TX

  • 3:20 pm
    Break

  • 3:30 pm
    0.50 hr
    Trying Your Maritime Case in State Court
    How does a maritime trial in state court differ from one in federal court? Take a short voyage to see the differences between trials in state and federal courts. Ports of call include jury selection, cross-examination, standards for admitting expert testimony, and charging the jury.

    Hon. Dan Hinde, 269th District Court, Harris County - Houston, TX

  • 4:00 pm
    0.50 hr
    Preserving Error and Navigating Appeals in State Court
    Learn about error preservation tips and traps, getting a case into the Texas Supreme Court, and the story behind the latest Texas Supreme Court case on vessel status.

    Christina F. Crozier, Haynes and Boone, LLP - Houston, TX

  • 4:30 pm
    1.00 hr ethics
    What to Do if Your Client is Misbehaving, Part VII
    Real-world questions and answers regarding ethics, the law, and what your client has asked you to do—or hide. This ethics session is designed to be interactive. Audience participation is encouraged!

    Please submit your questions in advance to ConferenceQA@utcle.org or on-site at the conference registration desk. 

    William J. Chriss, Law Office of William J. Chriss, P.C. - Corpus Christi, TX
    Bradley A. Jackson, Retired Admiralty and Maritime Lawyer - Houston, TX

  • 5:30 pm
    Adjourn

Download Schedule

Conference Faculty

Matthew H. Ammerman

Law Office of Matthew H. Ammerman, P.C.
Houston, TX

William J. Chriss

Law Office of William J. Chriss, P.C.
Corpus Christi, TX

Robert G. Clyne

American Bureau of Shipping
Houston, TX

Christina F. Crozier

Haynes and Boone, LLP
Houston, TX

Robert J. Cunningham

Roach & Newton, LLP
Houston, TX

Hon. John W. deGravelles

U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana
Baton Rouge, LA

Kenneth G. Engerrand

Brown Sims, P.C.
Houston, TX

James W. Ferguson

Halliburton
Houston, TX

Samuel A. Giberga

Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc.
Covington, LA

Hon. Dan Hinde

269th District Court, Harris County
Houston, TX

Judge Lynn N. Hughes

United States District Court, Southern District of Texas
Houston, TX

Bradley A. Jackson

Retired Admiralty and Maritime Lawyer
Houston, TX

Keith B. Letourneau

Blank Rome LLP
Houston, TX

Julia M. (Adams) Palmer

Holland & Knight LLP
Houston, TX

Bruce G. Paulsen

Seward & Kissel LLP
New York, NY

James Harold Power

Holland & Knight LLP
New York, NY

David W. Robertson

The University of Texas School of Law
Austin, TX

Michael F. Sturley

The University of Texas School of Law and National University of Singapore
Austin, TX and Singapore

Jonathan K. Waldron

Blank Rome LLP
Washington, DC

Planning Committee

David W. Robertson—Co-Chair

The University of Texas School of Law
Austin, TX

Michael F. Sturley—Co-Chair

The University of Texas School of Law and National University of Singapore
Austin, TX and Singapore

Matthew H. Ammerman

Law Office of Matthew H. Ammerman, P.C.
Houston, TX

Michael K. Bell

Blank Rome LLP
Houston, TX

W. Robins Brice

Brice Mediation
Houston, TX

Rachel Anne de Cordova

Phelps Dunbar LLP
Houston, TX

Nicholas W. Earles

Schouest, Bamdas, Soshea & BenMaier, PLLC
Houston, TX

Kenneth G. Engerrand

Brown Sims, P.C.
Houston, TX

Thomas C. Fitzhugh III

Schouest, Bamdas, Soshea & BenMaier PLLC
Houston, TX

Bradley A. Jackson

Retired Admiralty and Maritime Lawyer
Houston, TX

Peter A. McLauchlan

Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP
Houston, TX

John J. Michael

Vinson & Elkins LLP
Houston, TX

Stephany Olsen-LeGrand

Eversheds Sutherland
Houston, TX

Julia M. (Adams) Palmer

Holland & Knight LLP
Houston, TX

John R. Pearson

Trahan Dinn Kornegay Payne LLP
Houston, TX

Steven L. Roberts

Eversheds Sutherland
Houston, TX

John C. Schwambach Jr.

Pierce & O'Neill, LLP
Houston, TX

Eugene J. Silva Sr.

Vinson & Elkins LLP
Houston, TX

Claude L. Stuart III

Hall Maines Lugrin, P.C.
Houston, TX

David R. Walker

Royston, Rayzor, Vickery & Williams LLP
Houston, TX

Harold K. Watson

Chaffe McCall LLP
Houston, TX

Credit Info

  • Houston
MCLE Credit
Toggle view Texas – 8.00 hrs  |  1.25 hrs Ethics
Legal Specialization(s): Civil Appellate Law, Civil Trial Law, Oil, Gas and Mineral Law, Personal Injury Trial Law
You may claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the State Bar of Texas. A Certificate of Attendance will be provided in Your Briefcase for your records. The system reports Texas CLE credit every Tuesday. If you are claiming credit in the last week of your birth month, self-report your CLE credit directly to the State Bar of Texas at texasbar.com, using the course number  provided on your certificate of attendance.
Toggle view California – 8.00 hrs  |  1.25 hrs Ethics
You must claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. UT Law CLE is required to provide the State Bar with electronic attendance records for any MCLE participatory activity within 60 days of completion of the activity. The California licensee is responsible for reporting their compliance/credit hours earned to the State Bar at the end of their reporting period directly to the State Bar of California at calbar.ca.gov.  UT Law CLE will maintain Attendance Records for four years.  
Toggle view Louisiana – 8.00 hrs  |  1.25 hrs Ethics
At the completion of the conference you must claim and certify your credit online in Your Briefcase, and will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the Supreme Court of Louisiana Continuing Legal Education Committee within 30 days after the conference. 
Toggle view Oklahoma – 9.50 hrs  |  1.50 hrs Ethics
You must claim and certify your credit online in Your Briefcase, then you will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the Oklahoma Bar Association within 30 days after the conference.
Other Credit
Toggle view TX Accounting CPE – 9.50 hrs
The University of Texas School of Law (Provider #250) live conferences are presumptively approved by The Texas State Board of Public Accountancy for Texas Accounting CPE credit based on a 50-minute credit hour. Approved for general CPE credit only.

At the conference, you are welcome to sign in on the Accounting CPE Record of Attendance form at the registration desk, but we are now reporting all credit online. You will receive a Texas Accounting Certificate of Completion in Your Briefcase. Self-report your CPE credit directly to TSBPA. UT Law CLE will maintain Attendance Records for four years.  

Contact us at accreditation@utcle.org if you have additional questions.

Key Dates

Houston – Sep 29, 2017 – South Texas College of Law Houston
Conference Concluded
Buy
  • Houston
Individual
Last day for $395.00 Regular pricing: Sep 28, 2017

$445.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (5 registrants minimum)
Last day for $355.00 Regular pricing: Sep 28, 2017

$405.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (10 registrants minimum)
Last day for $315.00 Regular pricing: Sep 28, 2017

$365.00 for registrations received after this time

Last day for cancellation (full refund): Sep 22, 2017

$50 processing fee applied after this date

Last day for cancellation: Sep 25, 2017

Venue

speaker

South Texas College of Law Houston

1303 San Jacinto Street
Houston, TX
713.659.8040
Map

Parking Information

Various parking garages and surface lots in the area

Nearby Hotel Accommodations
speaker

Four Seasons Hotel

1300 Lamar St
Houston, TX
713.650.1300 (reservations)
Map

Our Sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors! Click each logo below to learn more.

  • Brice Mediation

    Brice Mediation
    After 34 years of litigation practice with Royston, Rayzor, Vickery & Williams, LLP, in Houston, Robins Brice began a wholly independent alternative dispute resolution practice.  Since 2007, Robins has worked almost exclusively as a provider of neutral services, usually as a mediator but occasionally as an arbitrator or mock-trial arbitration consultant.  As a long-time consumer of mediation services, and more recently as an experienced provider of neutral dispute resolution services, he is committed to providing an impartial forum for dispute resolution, whether by mediated settlement or more formal arbitration. 
    bricemediation.com
  • Vinson & Elkins LLP logo
    Vinson & Elkins LLP
    Vinson & Elkins lawyers are committed to excellence and steeped in the energy and finance industries, offering clients experience handling transactions, investments, projects and disputes worldwide. The firm’s deep bench of approximately 700 lawyers collaborating across 16 offices allows a multi-disciplinary approach, whether companies need guidance on complex transactions or litigation. Celebrating its 100th year, V&E brings insight and know-how, building on a strong foundation that offers clients an understanding of the intersection of energy, finance and the law. To learn more, visit our website at www.velaw.com.
     
    velaw.com
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