Representative Matters

Successfully defended claim of spoilation involving video of check in procedures relating to rental instruction

Granted motion to quash summons and order finding lack of personal jurisdiction over Canadian clients

Sought and obtained order sustaining demurrer on claim against marina arising out of fall from houseboat

Successfully defended dismissal of yacht broker in limitation proceeding in federal court

Obtained favorable ruling as to liability issues concerning a jet ski rental company and clarified indemnity obligations of renter.

Vacated arrest of vessel in dispute concerning contractual obligations over bunker supply

Vacated judgment on appeal resulting in dismissal of case under Hawai‘i law

Sought and obtained ruling clarifying liability insurance coverage for rental watercraft operators and insurer obligations in maritime incidents

Prevailed on motion in limine excluded loss of use damages for damaged recreational vessel

Obtained ruling as to counter-security obligations in a shipping contract dispute, reinforcing maritime contract principles in arrest proceedings

Exonerated rental company from liability, reinforcing the application of admiralty limitation of liability principles

Obtained judgment in favor of insurer in a dispute over policy coverage and liability exclusions

Received favorable ruling clarifying landlord obligations under California tenant law in a property management liability dispute

Prevailed in dismissal of a case brought by a passenger who claimed to have developed a blood clot following his fall from a power scooter aboard a coach transporting him during the land portion of an Alaskan vacation package.

Obtained dismissal in federal court action against London Market insurers based on the insured not making a prima facie showing that the underwriters' contacts with Hawaii satisfied the purposeful availment prong of the specific personal jurisdiction analysis, such that they should have reasonably anticipated being haled into court there.

Conceived and developed procedure for recognizing anti-suit injunction by Bermuda court and enforcing arbitration agreement of security guard seaman suing employer for alleged sexual assault by a crewmember.

Coordinated mass tort action involving passenger personal injury cases arising from cruise ship listing off the coast of Florida.

Successfully obtained demurrer and dismissal of matter brought by Californian Jones Act seaman based on forum non conveniens where seaman employer was primarily based in Seattle and the injury occurred in Alaska.

Prevailed on appeal in showing amendment to Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17204 – which had changed California’s Unfair Competition Law (UCL) standing requirements to require an allegation of injury in fact – was applicable even though the case was filed before passage of the amendment.

Consolidated and subsequently resolved civil collection matters involving claims for breach of contract, foreclosure on mechanic’s liens, open book accounts, account stated, quantum meruit, and unfair competition against defendant developers of a condominium project in Woodside, California.

Oversaw defense of cruise line in seeking dismissal based on forum non conveniens in case brought by security guard alleging injury due to pirate attack off coast of Somalia.

Quashed federal court subpoena duces tecum for production of third party’s tanker for inspection based on showing burdens outweighed needs for inspection.

Reported Decisions

Geoserve Energy Transp. DMCC v. Vega S (S.D. Cal. Feb. 19, 2025) 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 32905,

Ortoli v. Oceangate Inc., (W.D. Wash. Jan. 31, 2025) 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 18098

In re Luxury Jet Ski Rentals LLC (S.D. Cal. Dec. 31, 2024) 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 234850

Rodriguez v. Corner (D. Haw. June 18, 2024) 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 237262

Willis v. Williams Sports Rentals, Inc. (E.D. Cal. July 31, 2024) 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 135521

Pamina, LLC v. Delta Marine Indus., Inc., (W.D. Wash. June 10, 2024) 736 F. Supp. 3d 950.

Tommy Lynch as Adm’r for the Estate of v. Hernandez ( D. Nev. Nov. 7, 2024) 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 222644

Ehart v. Lahaina Divers, Inc. (9th Cir. (Mar. 14, 2024) 2024 U.S. App. LEXIS 6161

Lopez v. One Santa Fe PMC, LLC (Cal. Super. Ct. L.A.(Dec. 5, 2023) 2023 Cal. Super. LEXIS 101900

MacIas v. City of Los Angeles (C.D. Cal. Nov. 15, 2023) 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20496

Axis Ins. Co. v. Triathlon (C.D. Cal. Nov. 14, 2023) 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 242168

Gonzalez v. GE, (C.D. Cal. June 23, 2023) 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 110071

Abed v. Mubanda (United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 2020) 2020 U.S. App. LEXIS 1951

Powell N Around LLC v. Parson (United States District Court, District of Arizona, 2019) 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 209769

Kabogoza v. Blue Water Boating (United States District Court, Eastern District of California, 2019) 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 60346

Gilmer v. Symetra Life Ins. Health & Welfare Plan (United States District Court, Western District of Washington, 2019) 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 138390

In re Complaint & Petition of Blue Water Boating, Inc. (United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 2019) 786 Fed. Appx. 703

In re Bountiful Oceans, Inc. (United States District Court, Northern District of California, 2018) 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 95491

Russul v. Zim Am. Integrated Shipping Servs. Co. (United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 2007) 2007 U.S. App. LEXIS 25264.

Thornton v. Career Training Center, Inc. (California Court of Appeal, 2005) 128 Cal. App. 4th 116, 26 Cal. Rptr. 3d 723.

Holland America v. Wartsila North America, Inc. (United States District Court, Western District of Washington, 2005) 2005 American Maritime Cases (AMC) 1769.

Paradise Cruise, Ltd. v. Michael Else & Co. (United States District Court, District of Hawaii, 2005) 2005 American Maritime Cases (AMC) 1572.

In re Air Crash at Taipei (United States District Court, Central District of California 2004) 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 31075.

Fitzpatrick v. Arco Marine (United States District Court, Central District of California, 2001)199 F.R.D. 663, 2001 American Maritime Cases (AMC) 1390.

Keith Whiteman v. Grand Wailea Resort (United States District Court, Northern District of California, 1999) 1999 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 3594.

Ross v. F/V MELANIE (United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 1998)1998 U.S. App. LEXIS 577.

Chan v. Society Expeditions, Inc. (United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 1997) 1997 AMC 2713.

Boykin v. Boeing (United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 1997) 128 F.3d 1279.

Hunt v. Shipowner's Mut. Protection & Indem. (United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 1997) 119 F.3d 6, 1997 U.S. App. LEXIS 26074.

Long v. M/V Melanie (United States District Court, Western District of Washington 1996) 918 F. Supp. 323, 1996 American Maritime Cases (AMC) 1341.

Johnston v. M/V Dieu Si Bon (United States District Court, Western District of Washington 1996) 1996 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 21522,1997 American Maritime Cass (AMC) 14.

Chan v. Society Expeditions, Inc. (United States District Court, Western District of Washington, 1995) 1995 American Maritime Cases (AMC) 2625.