Admiralty Law.

• Author: Tanner, Tyler J.
• Position: Annual Reports of Committees of the Florida Bar: 2018-2019

The Admiralty Law Committee continues to advance the practice of maritime law and foster continued learning through offering complimentary and well-attended seminars about recent developments and trends in this practice area.

On June 15, 2018, the ALC meeting and seminar was held in conjunction with The Florida Bar Annual Convention at the Orlando Bonnet Creek Hilton Resort. The seminar addressed several marine insurance and maritime-related issues that arise prior to, during, and following a hurricane. Speakers included noted maritime lawyers Capt. Alan S. Richard, Michello Otero Valdes, Eric C. Thiel, Charles S. Davant, Christopher F. Hamilton, Tyler J. Tanner, and Efrain Carlos. We also heard presentations from hurricane and marine industry personnel, including William Ulrich (meteorologist), Capt. Patrick B. Garrison (diver and salvor), John Marchisi (marine insurance broker), and Carl F. Wolf (marina manager and marine investigator).

As many ALC members practice in cruise industry litigation, on October 17, 2018, the ALC presented the Second Annual Cruise Industry Passenger and Crew Claims Seminar at the University of Miami. Building upon last year's momentum, this event was a huge success, with over 130 maritime practitioners and professionals in attendance. The event was hosted by the University of Miami Maritime Law Society and sponsored by Robson Forensic. Panel presentations were comprised of highly skilled maritime attorneys, each of whom presented on a specific area of law and practice, then engaged the audience and fellow panelists in thoughtful discussion. We heard from some of the best maritime lawyers in the state. The claims management panel included presentations from John Mitchell, Brett Berman, and Andy Waks. The passenger claims panel included presentations from Curtis Mase, Robert Gardana, Richard McAlpin, Noah Silverman, and Carlos Llinas Negret. The crew claims panel included presentations from Jerry Hamilton, Brett Rivkind, Bob Peltz, David Horr, and Judge Ronald Dresnick (retired). We also heard solo presentations from expert witness Capt. Hendrik J. Keiser on Daubert issues in maritime cases and Carlos Llinas Negret on Rule B's application in passenger shore excursion cases. All speakers were engaging, and the substance was all relevant, recent, and interesting.

On March 29, another ALC meeting and seminar will be held at St. Thomas University School of Law. This will be the third annual Florida Maritime Law and...