Christopher Nolan Named Chair of Maritime Law Association's Arbitration and ADR Committee

NEW YORK (May 14, 2021) – Holland & Knight Partner Christopher R. Nolan has been appointed chair of the Maritime Law Association's Arbitration and ADR Committee. The committee was established in 1927 following the passage of the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) of 1925. Mr. Nolan will serve during the next four years leading up to the 100-year anniversary of the passage of the FAA and the efforts recognizing 100 years of maritime arbitration that followed.

"Arbitration is a critical aspect of dispute resolution for any ship owner, charterer, trader or cargo interest," Mr. Nolan said. "We will focus on all aspects of the industry to highlight the incredible efforts of our maritime arbitrators around the United States and what work is necessary to enhance our prominent position resolving maritime disputes with global impact. Maritime arbitration at 100 will be a collective effort these next four years, and I am excited to lead the way as the first partner at Holland & Knight to head this august committee."

"Thanks to the support of clients and industry leaders, I have the pleasure of focusing a good deal of my practice on arbitrations with international impact," he added. "It's a privilege to work with companies and their trusted counsel throughout the United States and the globe on pressing transportation issues that impact the industry."

Mr. Nolan is co-chair of Holland & Knight's Transportation and Infrastructure Group. He concentrates on shipping, focusing mainly on dispute resolution arising from charterparties, bills of lading, fire and explosion, total loss, limitation and insolvency. He is regularly retained on behalf of Hull underwriters and P&J Clubs on marine insurance matters. Mr. Nolan acts as national counsel for a major ocean carrier and as such is frequently instructed in cargo disputes and contamination claims. In the last decade, he has developed a niche focus on the early resolution of thorny matters destined for court or arbitration.

Mr. Nolan is an officer of the 10,000-plus member American Bar Association (ABA) Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS) and was the 2011-2012 ABA TIPS Admiralty Committee chair. He was the only American lawyer to be included on the "Top 10 Maritime Lawyers" by Lloyd's List, a ranking of the most influential lawyers in the global maritime industry, in both 2019 and 2018. He has been quoted in maritime publications Lloyd's List, TradeWinds and Fairplay on a wide range of topics.