Jeffrey S. King

Represented owner and operator of the SS EL FARO, a Ro-Ro/Container vessel that sank in 2015 in Hurricane Joaquin in the Caribbean, resulting in a complete loss of the vessel, all cargo, and all 33 persons on board. This included the lead representation in the US Coast Guard’s Marine Board of Investigation (USCG MBI), and co-counsel roles in connection with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation and the civil limitation of liability suit in federal court.

Represented the owner and operator of the STRETCH DUCK 7, a passenger vessel that sank on Table Rock Lake in Branson Missouri in 2018, resulting in the loss of 17 lives, in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation, the US Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation (USCG MBI), and resulting civil litigation. Commenced limitation of liability proceeding in the Western District of Missouri (In the Matter of The Complaint of Branson Duck Vehicles, LLC and Ripley Entertainment, Inc., 6:18-cv-03339-MDH) and resolved all civil claims within 18 months of the incident.

Defended chemical company in series of matters involving claims by utility company regarding coal tar and related contamination at manufactured gas plants (“MGP”) in Massachusetts where utility operated municipal MGPs and chemical company operated a tar recovery operation. Commonwealth Gas Company v. Witco Corporation, United States District Court (D. Mass.) 97-cv-11880-DPW; Cambridge Electric Light Company, et al. v. Witco Corp., United States District Court (D. Mass.) 99-cv-11451-DPW; Commonwealth Gas Company, et al. v. Witco Corp., United States District Court (D. Mass.) 99-cv-11450-DPW.

Represented clients in connection with Rule B attachment issues in the Southern District of New York.

Represented bridge owner to recover for damages to bridge from vessel allision. We arrested the vessel before it departed, vessel owners posted security, and we conducted expedited discovery before settling. Middlesex Corp. v. M/V AGIOS NEKTARIOS, USDC, D. Mass., 02-cv-10208-EFH.

Represented owner/operator of large domestic tug and barge fleet as national counsel developing and coordinating its strategy and response to numerous vessel arrests and attachments in multiple jurisdictions.

Obtained US$7.8 million arbitration award on behalf of international container leasing company against a Chinese shipping company for breach of contract (non-payment and non-return of containers). International Centre for Dispute Resolution - ICDR Case No. 50 125 T 00397 12.

Represented ADVO in suit by Valassis alleging fraudulent inducement, material adverse change, and breach of merger agreement, in which Valassis had agreed to purchase all of ADVO’s shares for approximately US$1.4 billion. Valassis sought to rescind its merger agreement and ADVO counterclaimed seeking specific performance. Approximately 80 depositions taken and voluminous documents produced during three-month discovery period. Following five days of trial and the close of Valassis’s case, the parties settled for a slightly reduced merger price. Valassis Communications, Inc., et al. v. ADVO, Inc., Delaware Court of Chancery, New Castle County, 2383-N.

Obtained summary judgment on behalf of owner of motor yacht in limitation of liability proceeding, defending against claims arising from fire at marina and resulting property damage and environmental (oil spill) claims. In the Matter of the Complaint of Robert L. Stanton, as owner of the Vessel “MISTY LADY” for Exoneration from or Limitation of Liability, United States District Court (D. Mass.) 02-cv-10408-GAO.

Represented various motor vehicle and boat manufacturers and related entities in connection with numerous consumer claims, including product and warranty claims, as well as finance and insurance-based claims and class actions.

Acted as special maritime counsel in connection with sale of domestic steel company to foreign interests. Addressed structuring aspects of the deal to allow the foreign company to continue exclusive use of US flag vessels in the ore trade attendant to the steel company’s business.

Obtained defense verdict for a forklift manufacturer in a four-week trial for a wrongful death action involving design defect and punitive damage claims arising out of forklift rollover, resulting in quadriplegia and subsequent death. Ginette Morrissette, Administrator of the Estate of Daniel J. Gagnon v. Teledyne Princeton, Inc., United States District Court (D. Mass.) 02-cv-10553-RCL, affirmed by the First Circuit Court of Appeals (09-1787).

Obtained defense verdict after three-week trial for equipment manufacturer in wrongful death action involving asbestos exposure on Navy ships. Tucholski v. Crane Co., et al., Erie County Supreme Court, New York, 800161/2012. Similarly, obtained defense verdict after two-week trial for same client in wrongful death action involving asbestos exposure on Navy ships and at land-based facilities. Mulcahy v. Crane Co., et al., Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, 08-L-6223.

Represented numerous financial institutions in connection with distressed loans and associated workout, foreclosure, and bankruptcy issues.

Represented owner of luxury yacht in connection with death of a crewmember while in a shipyard.