Transportation

Our lawyers bring deep industry knowledge across capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, finance, restructuring, tax, litigation, regulatory, and sanctions matters, enabling us to address complex legal issues efficiently and with sound commercial judgment.

For decades, we have worked alongside clients through multiple market cycles, from periods of restructuring and distress to growth, innovation, and expansion. That continuity informs our approach today. We focus on the issues that shape transactions and operations in the maritime and transportation sectors, offering practical advice that anticipates regulatory, financing, and operational considerations before they become obstacles.

Our maritime and transportation capital markets practice advises companies at every stage of their development, from initial structuring and early‑stage financings to public and private equity and debt offerings, mergers, acquisitions, and corporate restructurings in the United States and internationally. We regularly represent issuers, underwriters, investors, and sponsors in transactions that raise capital, enhance liquidity, and support long‑term strategic objectives. Drawing on experience with public company reporting and governance, our lawyers help clients navigate securities law compliance while remaining focused on execution and market realities.

We also advise boards of directors and senior management on corporate governance, disclosure obligations, and fiduciary duties, including in connection with transformative transactions, shareholder activity, and ongoing reporting requirements. Our integrated approach considers governance, regulatory, and transactional issues together so advice is consistent, defensible, and aligned with how the business will operate over time.

Our maritime banking and finance practice is well diversified and evenly divided between borrower and lender side representations. We are routinely involved in cutting edge financing transactions domestically and internationally representing leading banks and financial institutions, alternative lenders, equity investors, and publicly traded and privately held ship owners. We frequently advise on loan transactions (including secured and unsecured, term loan A and term loan B, revolving facility, unitranche, bilateral, club, and syndicated loans), finance leases and operating leases, including sale-leaseback transactions, mezzanine and other alternative financing transactions, securitization and other structured finance transactions, debtor-in-possession and exit financings, letters of credit, refund guarantees, and other credit support matters and advise on the creation and perfection of security interests in vessel in the United States and US-influenced jurisdictions, including the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Liberia, and Vanuatu.

Our mergers, acquisitions, and joint venture work covers a broad range of maritime and transportation transactions. We advise shipping and transportation companies, offshore and logistics businesses, private equity sponsors, investment funds, and strategic investors on public and private acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and related transactions, integrating financing, tax, employment, antitrust, and regulatory considerations that affect execution and integration.

During periods of financial stress, our restructuring and bankruptcy lawyers work closely with our finance and capital markets teams to guide clients through out‑of‑court restructurings and in‑court proceedings. We advise debtors, lenders, and creditor groups on workouts, asset sales, post‑bankruptcy financing, and the preservation and enforcement of rights, drawing on familiarity with maritime and transportation assets and regulatory regimes.

Our litigation and investigations practice represents maritime and transportation companies, lenders, insurers, and investors in a wide range of disputes. We handle securities and regulatory actions, internal and government investigations, commercial and insurance disputes, arbitrations, and traditional maritime claims, with a focus on practical resolution while remaining prepared to litigate when necessary.

We also advise on the day‑to‑day legal needs of maritime and transportation businesses. Our work includes vessel construction and purchase and sale agreements, chartering and leasing arrangements, vessel registration and documentation, commercial management agreements, bunker supply arrangements, and related operational matters. For US‑flag operations, we draw on our market leading team and experience to counsel clients on financings, regulatory compliance and participation in government programs, and issues arising under US coastwise trade and Jones Act citizenship requirements. We regularly work with maritime stakeholders on issues relating to Maritime Administration Title XI Loan Guarantees, the Maritime Security Program, and the Tanker Security Program.

Our tax lawyers advise shipowners, operators, and investors on US and international tax matters affecting maritime and transportation activities, including structuring operations, investments, and financings to comply with applicable regimes while managing tax exposure. We also represent private equity sponsors and investment managers in forming and operating funds and investment vehicles dedicated to maritime and transportation assets, from formation through acquisition and disposition.

Across all of this work, we take an integrated, business‑focused approach. Clients rely on us for clear guidance that reflects market practice, regulatory realities, and long‑term objectives in the maritime and transportation sectors.