“My extensive seagoing background provides me with unique insight when conducting shipboard investigations, reviewing vessel records, and working closely with crewmembers and regulatory authorities. My deep understanding of the industry’s operational realities coupled with my substantial knowledge of the law and decades of experience is valued by vessel owners, operators, and other key stakeholders and enables me to provide effective advice.”

Overview

Michael Fernandez is a highly respected maritime litigator in New York with over three decades of experience serving clients in the maritime industry. Michael received a J.D. from Rutgers Law School. Prior to law school, he graduated from the prestigious U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and thereafter sailed as a deck officer on various types of vessels, including tankers, containerships, general cargo, and roll on-roll off and ultimately achieved an Unlimited Master’s License.

Michael regularly handles and advises clients both domestically and internationally on all types of maritime related matters, including major marine casualties, environmental law and pollution, shipboard and company internal investigations, state and federal civil and criminal investigations and proceedings, regulatory matters, as well as all types of vessel, property, and cargo loss/damage claims. Chambers and Partners notes that he “offers significant expertise handling marine casualties, including vessel damages, as well as vessel seizures and related investigations.” Michael represents, among others, major ship owning companies and routinely interfaces with senior company management on high profile matters in order to provide important guidance and strategy.