Andrew I. Port

Andrew I. Port is Co-Managing Partner of the firm’s San Francisco and Oakland offices. Andy’s practice has focused on the maritime industry for over 30 years. He has represented many of the same clients for most of that time. He represents vessel owners, operators, charterers, and their underwriters in matters involving wrongful death and personal injury, collisions, cargo claims, hull damage, oil spills (investigation and cleanup), charter party and other commercial contract disputes, toxic torts and occupational disease litigation. He has substantial experience in all aspects of litigation in both federal and state courts and is recommended counsel by the International Group of P&I Clubs for occupational disease claims. He represents more than 30 shipowners in their California asbestos, hearing loss and chemical exposure litigation. He also serves as National Maritime Counsel for a Fortune 500 Company. Andy also represents fishing and excursion craft operators and their underwriters in casualty litigation and represents vessel interests in attachment and arrest proceedings.

Andy has assisted consumer product manufacturers in design defect litigation, contract matters and product literature development and has represented contractors in construction defect litigation. His product liability clients have included manufacturers of motor vehicles, construction equipment, outdoor cooking appliances, luxury yachts, container cranes, herbicides, dental appliances and other products. Andy has drafted industrial hygiene, abatement and training programs for clients in various fields. He has negotiated and drafted commercial agreements including purchase and sales agreements and berthing agreements. He has represented clients before administrative tribunals, including the U.S. Department of Labor and the California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board.

Admissions

• California
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
• U.S. District Court, All Districts of California
• U.S. Supreme Court

Memberships

• Maritime Law Association of the United States — proctor member

• Defended a Group of 12 shipowners in an AML claim for formaldehyde exposure brought by a longshoreman.
• Represents numerous shipowners in their California occupational and environmental disease litigation
• Represented vessel interests in an allision between a tanker and a major highway bridge
• Defended vessel owner against claims for delay in delivery of cargo arising out of the 2015 West Coast Port slowdown
• Investigated and handled numerous claims for hull damage and cargo loss
• Defended a group of clients in a claim for lung damage caused by inhalation of welding fumes
• Defended foreign vessel interests in a catastrophic injury case involving a heavy lift crane
• Defended a major pleasure vessel manufacturer in wrongful death and injury claims allegedly arising out of design defect
• Represented and obtained dismissals via motion practice in a group of 38 asbestos cases that arose in MDL 875
• Investigated and represented vessel interests in crew desertion and stowaway matters
• National Maritime Counsel for a Fortune 500 corporation
• National Coordinating Counsel on asbestos cases for an international ocean carrier
• Obtained recovery for the owner of a vessel that sunk at berth
• Drafted safety, industrial hygiene and training policies, procedures and programs for major ship owners
• Represented ocean carrier in a lawsuit involving the loss of a multi-million dollar piece of drilling equipment
• Defended logistics provider in a catastrophic injury lawsuit involving industrial equipment

• “A Hop, Skip and Jump Through U.S. Asbestos Litigation," London, U.K. (2022).
• “Maintenance and Cure and the Refusal to Pay,” Client Presentation (2022)
• “A Logistical Overview of an Occupational Disease Lawsuit,” London, U.K. (2019).
• Litigation and Risk Management:  Do’s, Don’ts and Where You Fit In!  (or How to Build an Elephant), Baltimore, MD (2019).
• “U.S. West Coast Occupational Disease Update,” London, U.K. (2015).
• Pacific Admiralty Seminar (2014).
• “Onboard Investigations,” session chair
• “The Sexual Assault Investigation,” panel discussion moderator
• “Competing Interests and Conflicts During the Onboard Investigation,” panel discussion moderator
• “Occupational Disease 2012: Where Are We and Where Do We Go From Here?” London, U.K. (2012).
• “Interacting With Governmental Authorities,” American Boat & Yacht Counsel Accident Investigation Seminar.
• “Federal Rule 26 Disclosures,” American Boat & Yacht Counsel Accident Investigation Seminar.
• “Life After ‘Atlantic Sounding’,” San Francisco Association of Marine Underwriters.
• “Summary and Update on Occupational and Environmental Casualties,” Cruise & Carrier Legal Symposium (2001).

Education

J.D., University of California, Hastings College of the Law, 1985

A.B., University of California, Davis, 1982

Honors

Top 100 Lawyers in Northern California, Super Lawyers (2023)

Chambers USA: America's Leading Business Lawyers, Transportation: Shipping/Maritime: Litigation (2022)

“AV-Preeminent” certified by the Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating system

Consistently appeared on San Francisco Magazine’s list of Super Lawyers (10+ years)

Best Lawyers in America® distinction in Admiralty and Maritime Law (2019-2024)