Thomas M. Schodowski, Maritime Attorney

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Curriculum Vitae

I am a graduate of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. The academy is charged with the education and development of an officer corps to provide leadership and management to the various U.S. Fleet vessels and shore installations worldwide. Following my commissioning, I served at sea as an officer in various combatant naval vessels. I successfully managed shipboard departmental units in excess of one hundred men during vessel deployments to foreign theaters of operation extending over six months duration.

I attended law school in Detroit under the G.I. Bill of Rights. Upon graduation and admission to the bar, I worked with law firms in Detroit, New York and New Orleans. As a maritime lawyer, I have practiced law almost exclusively within the U.S. federal court system. I have also earned a Master of Laws degree in Admiralty from Tulane University. I have experience in a broad range of admiralty and maritime contracts, claims, litigation, charter party disputes, and arbitration. I have arranged marine insurance cover and administered claims. I have acted as a risk manager on corporate marine staffs and as maritime counsel for English and American underwriters and Protection and Indemnity Clubs.

On the business side, I hold a Masters of Science degree (with honors) from the Maritime College of the State University of New York in Marine Transportation Management. I have worked in management positions in both the oil business and shipping industry. Having worked both in law firms and on corporate staffs, I have adopted the best problem-solving techniques of the legal and commercial environments.

EDUCATION

United States Naval Academy at Annapolis
Bachelor of Science

University of Detroit School of Law
Juris Doctor

Tulane University School of Law
Master of Laws in Admiralty

State University of New York — Maritime College
Master of Science in Marine Transportation Management (cum laude)

EXPERIENCE

2004-present

Private Practice

Jacksonville

2002- 2004

CRAIG/is, Ltd.

Jacksonville

1999-2002

Schodowski Hardberger LLC

New Orleans

1997-1999

Intermarine, Incorporated

New Orleans

Risk Manger and House Counsel

1992-1997

Private Practice

New Orleans

Attorney for Gulfship Marine & Gulf Chartering

1986-1992

Renneker/Associates

New Orleans

1982-1985

GHR Energy Corporation

New Orleans

Maritime Counsel

1979-1982

Cichanowicz & Callan

New York City

1977-1979

Law Office of Thomas Bibb Wheeler

New Orleans

1974-1976

Foster, Meadows & Ballard

Detroit

Proctor Member, Maritime Law Association of the United States

HIGHLIGHTS

At CRAIG/is Ltd.

• Provided industry-specific intellectual capital for the design and implementation of the Ocean Marine recovery module to the CRAIG /is Ltd. Internet claim recovery process.
• Organized the CRAIG /is Ltd. Maritime Recovery Network of admiralty law firms in order to provide legal representation coverage in all major U.S ports and outports upon a law-partnering model.
• Revised the CRAIG/is Ltd. Legal Services Agreement and Blended Contingency Recovery Model with early settlement incentives.

At Intermarine, Incorporated

• Completely reorganized the Marine Claims Department setting up new filing system and standardized correspondence for each genre of marine claim.
• Handled all claims arising out of the management of the Caribbean and Far Eastern chartered fleets comprising approximately 1000 voyages per year.
• Reduced the number of active claims files by one-third.
• Managed all outside litigation and arbitrations. Directed appointed defense counsel and marine surveyors.
• Supported the Operational Management Team with on-the-spot legal, technical and insurance coverage information.
• Worked daily with the P & I support staff to enhance insurance efficiency.
• Managed annual renewal of all marine insurance.
• Instituted in-house newsletter to facilitate professional education of marine staff by explaining both marine terminology and maritime practice and procedures.

At Gulfship Marine Inc. and Gulf Chartering Inc.

• Evaluated risk exposure and arranged most cost-effective marine cover for chartered vessel operations.
• Handled all claims, litigation and arbitrations arising out of the operation of the chartered fleet.
• Advised management on marine liability and coverage limitations.

At GHR Energy Corporation

• Acted as Maritime Counsel to largest independent refinery in North America.
• Handled all claims, litigation and arbitrations related to the chartering of crude and product tankers making hundreds of voyages per year to the refinery.
• Negotiated and settled over US$20 millions dollars in claims for less than US$6 million in largest Chapter 11 in U.S. Bankruptcy history.

Private Maritime Practice

• Litigated and settled hundreds of cargo claims under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act and Harter Act.
• Handled federal appellate case that set COGSA standard for package limitation damage calculation and point of cargo delivery, to wit: Servicios-Expoarma v. Industrial Maritime Carriers, 135 F.3d 984, 1998 AMC 1453 (5th Cir. 1998)

Graduate Maritime Education

• Completed Graduate level courses in Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, Maritime Personal Injury, Hull Insurance, Protection and Indemnity Insurance and Chartering. Masters Thesis on “A Study of Seaworthiness in Perspective.”