Jim advises government contractors and maritime companies in all facets of high‑stakes contracts, claims, and investigations.
Get To Know Jim
With more than 45 years of experience, Jim advises clients across the maritime, defense and transportation industries on complex government contracts, ship construction and repair, and government investigations and enforcement actions. He is known for his deep industry knowledge, long-standing relationships with federal agencies, and practical guidance in high-stakes matters.
Jim’s approach to representing clients begins with developing a thorough understanding of each client’s business, personnel, operations, interests, and objectives, allowing him to provide practical and effective counsel.
Jim’s practice focuses on government contracts, maritime law, ship construction and repair, and marine and industrial coatings. He represents clients throughout the United States and internationally in complex commercial, regulatory, and contractual matters. Jim advises government contractors and companies in the marine, transportation, and defense industries on ocean transportation, shipbuilding and repair, construction, industrial and marine coatings, and high-stakes contract disputes. His clients include U.S. shipyards, ocean carriers, defense contractors, marine and industrial preservation contractors, investment companies, financial institutions, and service providers.
Jim advises government contractors on a wide range of matters, including acquisitions, contract and bid structures, proposals, bid protests, contract administration, billing issues, claims preparation, and litigation before the courts and boards of contract appeals.
Jim develops and delivers training programs and lectures on government contract compliance, codes of conduct, doing business with the U.S. government, and pricing government contracts for trade associations and client groups.
Before entering private practice, Jim served as Assistant Counsel with the Military Sealift Command in the Office of the General Counsel for the Department of the Navy. His work included government contract matters, ship repair claims, GAO bid protests, and litigation before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals and the U.S. Claims Court. He also served on the Defense Acquisition Regulation Ad Hoc Subcommittee for Master Ship Repair Contracts.
Outside of the office, Jim enjoys ocean water sports, including swimming, body surfing, ocean kayaking, and paddle boarding. He also enjoys spending time with his grandchildren, family, and friends on Nantucket.
A history buff, Jim enjoys U.S. and international travel and has visited historic sites such as the Manila Hotel in the Philippines where General MacArthur lived before WWII and the Hotel New Grand in Yokohama, Japan where MacArthur lived after the war as the Supreme Commander for Allied Powers.
Experience
Government Investigations
Jim also conducts internal investigations and manages government investigations, False Claims Act matters, suspension and debarment proceedings, ethics and compliance issues, and the drafting of administrative agreements with federal agencies, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Federal Agency Experience
Jim has extensive experience working with federal agencies central to the maritime and defense transportation ecosystem. He has represented clients in contract and claim matters involving U.S. Transportation Command, Military Sealift Command, Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, Naval Sea Systems Command, and the U.S. Maritime Administration. Jim has also been involved in drafting and revising the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement, the Maritime Security Program, and Universal Service Contracts since their inception more than 30 years ago.
International Representation
Jim regularly advises both government and industry on responding to critical U.S. military cargo needs and global movements during times of conflict and unrest.
Internationally, Jim represents shipping companies and defense contractors in contract matters and business development across Europe, the Middle East and Persian Gulf, Japan, the Philippines, the Western Pacific, and Southwest Asia.
Credentials
Education
Delaware Law School, J.D.
Randolph Macon College, B.A.
Admissions
District of Columbia
Virginia
Affiliations
- American Bar Association, Public Contract Law Section
- American Society of Naval Engineers
- National Defense Transportation Association
- Shipbuilders Council of America
- Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
- Society for Protective Coatings
- Virginia Bar Association, Construction and Public Contract Law Section
- Virginia Ship Repair Association
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