Areas of Practice — Admiralty, Maritime & Environmental Criminal Defense

Senior partner, Michael G. Chalos, successfully defended Captain Joseph Hazelwood of the EXXON VALDEZ, who was criminally charged by the State of Alaska in connection with the grounding of that vessel. The criminal prosecution of Captain Hazelwood gave rise to the new field of maritime criminal defense law, which has been pioneered and developed by our Michael Chalos.

The investigation and subsequent criminal indictment and prosecution of individuals and corporations engaged in maritime commerce is ever increasing in scope and importance, with similarly increasing financial and penal consequences. Both Michael Chalos and George Chalos have defended the interests of vessel owners, operators, masters, chief engineers, crew members and responsible corporate officers in both Federal and State prosecutions throughout the country, and continue to be recognized as the preeminent lawyers in the field and advocates for the fair treatment of foreign seafarers.