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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.
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Cozen O’Connor’s maritime corporate and finance attorneys have been representing clients in complex cross-border and domestic transactions for decades. Our attorneys are widely recognized for their ability to help clients adapt to changing political and economic circumstances by providing steady, practical counsel.
The firm represents foreign and domestic vessel owners, offshore energy rig owners, maritime-related investors, and financial institutions. Our attorneys assist owners of all types of vessels engaged in every sector of the maritime trades. We also work with banks, private equity funds, individual investors and other lending institutions whose portfolios include foreign and/or domestic maritime-related assets.
Cozen O’Connor’s Maritime Corporate & Finance Practice covers traditional asset-backed ship finance, leasing transactions and other custom-tailored financings valued in the billions of dollars. We help clients raise capital through private lending institutions, the issuance of publicly traded debt and securities, private placement of government guaranteed loans, and secured and unsecured debt obligations.
To support the construction and financing of U.S. flag vessels and drilling rigs, Cozen O’Connor advises clients on the Maritime Administration Title XI Loan Guarantee Program, Maritime Security Program, Capital Construction Fund, U.S. cargo preference programs, Export-Import Bank lending, and all relevant maritime regulations, including the Jones Act, dredging, fisheries, other cabotage laws, U.S. build requirements, and environmental protection laws.
Cozen O’Connor’s maritime attorneys provide clients with ongoing counsel on a multitude of corporate issues. We prepare charter parties; 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, the Republic of Liberia, and other registries; counsel on citizenship requirements and assist clients with restructuring, workouts and maritime lien enforcement, as well as maritime-related bankruptcies. We have significant experience in negotiating and drafting contracts with shipyards and other vendors engaged in vessel construction. Our maritime corporate and finance attorneys frequently serve as special counsel in mergers and acquisitions that involve maritime-related assets. Our attorneys also provide advice on the sale and purchase of vessels, whether a single unit or a fleet. We also advise on the sale of shipping companies whether through a stock purchase or the acquisition of assets.
Cozen O’Connor’s nationwide transportation ship finance practice and several individual members are regularly recognized by Chambers USA, Chambers Asia-Pacific and Chambers Global. The Legal 500 United States has recognized the practice group as a Top Tier Firm for Transport: Shipping. The Maritime Practice Group includes several former presidents of the Maritime Administrative Bar Association and contributing authors to numerous publications including Wolters Kluwer’s Maritime Law Handbook.