REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

Philbin Law brings together a depth and breadth of experience from its attorneys' experience in corporate law, IP law, appellate law and general litigation.  

TRANSACTIONS AND RESTRUCTURING

Philbin Law Firm represents Ceres Marine Terminals, Inc in consolidation with CP&O LLC in the Port of Virginia,  6 January 2022

The Philbin Law Firm represented Ceres Marine Terminals in joining the CP&O joint venture in Norfolk, VA.  The consolidation provides a greater opportunity for growth and efficiency to meet increased demand for supply chain services within the Port of Virginia.

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Philbin Law Firm represents Ceres Terminals Holdings and Gateway Terminals in formation of Joint Venture in the Port of Savannah, 3 January 2022

The Philbin Law Firm represented Ceres Terminals Holdings and Gateway Terminals LLC in the formation of a joint venture between Marine Terminal Corporation – East, Ceres Marine Terminals Inc., and SSA Atlantic LLC. The joint venture consolidates container terminal, truck gate and stevedoring services in the Port of Savannah, the largest port on the East Coast.

Philbin Law Firm represents Ceres Terminals Holdings in formation of Joint Venture, Charleston Stevedoring Company LLC, 4 May 2020

The Philbin Law Firm represented Ceres Terminals Holdings in a joint venture between Marine Terminal Corporation – East, Ceres Marine Terminals Inc., and SSA Atlantic LLC. The new joint venture, known as Charleston Stevedoring Company LLC, became operational on May 4, 2020 out of South Carolina’s Port of Charleston. The new entity provides substantially more efficient container terminal services in a burgeoning Southeast market.

Maersk Sells Drayage Company, American Shipper, 7 August 2013

As Maersk general counsel, Jim Philbin completed an asset sale of its largest US marine trucking company subsidiary, Bridge Terminal Transport (BTT), to private equity firm Platinum Equity.

Maersk Sells Chassis Business, American Shipper, 3 February 2012

As Maersk general counsel, Jim Philbin completed the sale of an innovative, nationwide chassis leasing company, DCLI, with ownership of over 65,000 marine container chassis to private equity firm, Littlejohn & Co.

Moller-Maersk Acquires P&O Nedlloyd, UPI, 16 May 2005

As Maersk general counsel, Jim Philbin facilitated the acquisition of Dutch container line, P&O Nedlloyd making Maersk the largest container shipping line in history with over 500 ships. The merger of the two entities created significant challenges over the ensuing years in the consolidation and restructuring of business and subsidiary entities, management teams, workforce, real estate and office holdings and IT systems.

False Claims Act Investigations

Maersk Favorably Settles DOJ Investigation, Scarbrough International, 6 November 2014

Led by Jim Philbin, Maersk settled a three-year DOJ investigation into the alleged forgery of delivery documents for thousands of cargo containers missing and likely stolen in Afghanistan.  Jim Philbin successfully avoided penalties and damages by settling the case as a civil matter outside of the False Claims Act.

Shipping Companies Resolve False Records Investigation, US Department of Justice, S.D. of Illinois, 10 March 2016

Farrell Lines, Inc. and DAMCO USA, Inc. settled for $3.7 million in penalties under the False Claims Act for submission of “recreated” supporting documentation to invoices submitted to the US Transportation Command.  The companies were permitted by the DOJ to conduct an internal investigation into the matter and present findings.  Jim Philbin successfully navigated an outcome whereby the subject companies avoided paying any damages and were cited for cooperation. 

Export Control Cases (OFAC)

Maersk Line, Limited Settles Sudanese Sanctions and Iranian Transactions Regulations, Enforcement Information, Department of Treasury, 28 July 2010

The Office of Foreign Assets Control, Department of Treasury, conducted a three-year investigation into the alleged unlicensed transportation of over 4000 shipments into Sudan and Iran. After an initial base penalty assessment of $62 million, Jim Philbin was instrumental in negotiating a $3.1 million settlement due to cooperation and mitigation. 

Qui Tam Lawsuits under False Claims Act

Maersk Settles Eight-Year DOJ Investigation, Virginia Pilot, 4 January 2012

Whistleblower lawsuit originally filed against a competitor and later amended to include Maersk Line alleging inaccurate and fraudulent billing of the US military for services rendered during war-time conditions in Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Jim Philbin successfully settled the case with the DOJ after an eight-year investigation and voluntary disclosures. 

Corruption, FCPA and UK Bribery Act

Corruption Scandal at Petrobras Threatens Brazil’s Economy, The New York Times, 11 February 2015

The bribery scandal in Brazil involving the national oil company, Petrobras, is the largest corruption case in the world with allegations of over $3 billion in bribes paid to company executives, political parties and politicians.  Led by Jim Philbin, a team of lawyers from multiple jurisdictions conducted an international investigation into allegations that his client had paid millions of dollars of bribes.

Crisis Management and Corporate Campaigns

Somali Pirate Sentenced to Nearly 34 Years, The New York Times, 16 February 2011

In April 2009, four Somali pirates hijacked the Maersk Alabama cargo vessel en route to Kenya carrying food aid on behalf of the U.S. Government.  The hijacking and subsequent four-day hostage crisis became the storyline for the movie, “Captain Phillips.” With Jim Philbin's assistance as Maersk general counsel, the surviving pirate, Abduwali Muse later was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s office in the Southern District of New York.

Danish Shipping Firm Denies Violating U.S. Sanctions Against Iran, Fox News, 2 August 2010

In the summer of 2010, United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), a non-profit, advocacy group launched a corporate campaign against the A.P. Moller-Maersk Group for its then-ongoing business activities in Iran alleging violations of U.S. sanctions.  The campaign included communications to Congress and the Departments of Defense, State and Treasury; television coverage; and, picketing and billboard campaigns at several U.S. ports.  The campaign coincided with an ongoing DOJ investigation of Maersk under the False Claims Act.

Workplace Fatalities

Secretary of Labor v Universal Maritime Service Corp., OSHRC Docket No. 03-0399, 11 March 2004

Representing the respondent Universal Maritime Service Corp., Jim Philbin successfully defended at trial two serious violations citations issued by OSHA related to workplace fatality at marine terminal. Both citations were vacated. 

CIVIL LITIGATION MOTIONS AND APPEALS

Appeal of $8.9 Jury Verdict Vacated. The New York appellate court vacated the $8.9 million verdict in a negligence action on the grounds that trial court should have allowed the testimony of a biomechanical engineer that was probative on the issue of whether an automobile accident was severe enough to have caused the plaintiff’s injuries. Subsequently cited in New York Evidence Handbook: Rules, Theories and Practice, Aspen Publishers 2002 and relied upon in New York and other jurisdictions including Arizona and New Jersey. Leslie K. Arfine for defendant-appellant.

Federal Civil Rights Claims and Pendent State Law Claims Dismissed Against Municipality. In action against the Village and Village police officers for malicious prosecution, false arrest and conspiracy, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York granted defendant’s motion for summary judgment with respect to plaintiff’s federal 42 USC §1983 civil rights and pendent state claims. Leslie K. Arfine for defendant Village of Ossining.

Denial of Defendant's Summary Judgment Motion Reversed on Appeal.  Defendant landlord moved for summary judgment dismissing plaintiff’s complaint alleging lead paint poisoning. The Appellate Division reversed the lower court’s order denying defendant’s motion on the grounds that constructive notice cannot be imputed based on evidence of the widespread media reports addressing the prevalence of lead paint in older dwellings. Plaintiff’s complaint was dismissed in its entirety. Leslie K. Arfine for defendant-appellant.