Francesca Morris practices in the area of litigation with emphasis on maritime law, commercial litigation and bankruptcy. Ms. Morris has represented clients in a variety of maritime matters, including collision litigation, limitation of liability actions, cargo claims, arrests and attachments of assets, including under Rule B, Rule C and Rule D of the Supplemental Admiralty Rules, and in maritime lien disputes. Ms. Morris has advised and litigated in maritime and non-maritime bankruptcy matters. In commercial matters, Ms. Morris has represented clients in disputes related to breaches of contract, the use of restraining orders, attachment of assets, enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitration awards, and in construction disputes.
Ms. Morris has developed significant knowledge regarding the scope of a bankruptcy court's jurisdiction over maritime assets, having successfully and extensively briefed the issue in the bankruptcy and district courts and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Ms. Morris has tried cases and argued motions in federal and state courts and is familiar with all phases of litigation, from pre-complaint investigations through appeals. In the maritime context, Ms. Morris has conducted post-casualty onboard investigations prior to and in preparation for litigation.
She has appeared pro bono representing victims of domestic violence in obtaining orders of protection and in marital and family law matters, such as custody, visitation and child support disputes and divorce. In December 2003, Ms. Morris was awarded the John K. Geiger Award for commitment to justice by the not-for-profit group inMotion, Inc. for her pro bono work. Ms. Morris is a member of the New York Office Diversity Committee and is Chair of the New York Office Environmental Committee.
While at law school, Ms. Morris worked at a battered women's clinic and at a local tenants' rights organization, as well as spending a summer as an intern for New York State Supreme Court Justice Ira Gammerman.
Reported cases: Otal Invs. Ltd. v. M.V. Clary, 494 F.3d 40, 2007 U.S. App. LEXIS 16021 (2d Cir. 2007); Mann Ferrostaal, Inc. v. M/V Vertigo, 447 F. Supp.2d 316, 2006 AMC 2187 (S.D.N.Y. 2006); Otal Invs. Ltd. v. Capital Bank Pub. Ltd. Co. (In re Otal Invs. Ltd.), 2006 AMC 106, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 5293 (S.D.N.Y. Jan. 6, 2006); Jam. Shipping Co. v. Orient Shipping Rotterdam, B.V. (In re Millenium Seacarriers, Inc.), 458 F.3d 92 (2d Cir. 2006); Universal Oil Ltd. v. Allfirst Bank (In re Millenium Seacarriers, Inc.), 419 F.3d 83 (2d Cir. 2005); Assuranceforeningen Skuld Den Danske Afdeling v. Allfirst Bank (In re Millenium Seacarriers, Inc.), 96 Fed. Appx. 753, 2004 U.S. App. LEXIS 8131 (2d Cir. 2004); In re Otal Invs. Ltd. v. Capital Bank Pub. Ltd. Co. (In re Otal Invs. Ltd.), 2005 AMC 2461, 2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 21580 (S.D.N.Y. 2005); Valassis Communs., Inc. v. Weimer, 304 A.D.2d 448, 758 N.Y.S.2d 311 (1st Dept. 2003).