Maritime, Admiralty & Transportation

Pretzel & Stouffer is one of a handful of Chicago-based firms with an active practice dedicated to handling litigation for the maritime, admiralty and transportation industries.

As a unique set of federal statutes governs these industries and raise complex jurisdictional issues, savvy clients know to rely on only those attorneys who understand the nuances and applications of these complicated laws.

Our world-class attorneys have played instrumental roles in the shaping of maritime jurisprudence over the past decades, and we are proud members of the Maritime Law Association of the United States, which seeks a uniform interpretation of these laws.

While we have specific experience in ocean marine and inland marine insurance coverage, we focus on defending litigation involving collisions, allisions, personal injury, and the Limitation Act in maritime operations in the Great Lakes and surrounding rivers.

Another aspect of our maritime practice is the defense of personal injury claims arising out of the operation of recreational powerboats, sailboats and jet skis.

Our transportation practice encompasses the defense of common and contract carriers who are facing claims of damage of goods in transit, and we are regularly called upon to defend trucking companies, warehouses, crane operators and riggers in domestic and international disputes. We have secured favorable outcomes for trucking companies involved in accidents with personal injuries.

Our maritime, admiralty and transportation attorneys are well-known for their proficiency in this highly-specialized area of the law. We are both experienced and flexible, and we work intimately with our clients to optimize conflict resolution.