Any trouble at sea? Maritime Law is here for you! Otherwise known as an admiral lawyer, a maritime lawyer deals with matters at sea. As you know, the sea deserves a different system from the land, because of the mode of movement and engagement, which is mostly water. There are also plenty of other factors unique to the sea from the land. You can, therefore, imagine why a special kind of lawyer is needed—one who can deal with complex, unique, and thought-provoking matters.
So, what do maritime lawyers do?
The sea isn’t immune to challenges. Accidents happen, just like they do on the land. Crimes, plenty of them actually, are also perpetrated out there in the waters. Disagreements also arise. There is a need for order, and a system to help with accountability and transparency. Besides human life also, the sea holds aquatic life, its vegetation, and plenty of other things that deserve to be stood for. Maritime lawyers and consultants speak for these groups, represent, and tackle their matters by the book.
Maritime Law, also known as admiralty law, therefore, is a branch of Law that deals with maritime issues and nautical disputes. There are many more reasons besides the stated, that one may want to study this body of Law. Some could be personal, experience-related, and even inspirations. Whatever the underlying reason, there is always something good aboard. As long as you’re ready for the task ahead, an educational and professional journey through Maritime Law is one that will grow in you as much as you through it, and hopefully, something that you will love and will stick with you.
How to become a Maritime Lawyer
1.Undergraduate Program
Enrolling to an Undergraduate Program for the award of an Undergraduate Degree should be your first move towards this pursuit. It is not mandatory that you hold a degree in any field expressly before you can qualify for Maritime Law. You may, however, find the following studies and their degree awards to come quite handy:
- Maritime studies
- Economics
- Government studies
2.Law School
Law school is a great next step; to get admitted into one, you’ll need to take a test, which you have to pass. Law school provides not only the environment but also resources and a team to move towards the same goal. Getting into one may be a lengthy process that will demand excellent performance from you. Nonetheless, persistence in the application will pull you through. There are many paths towards Maritime Law, but a typical admission may involve submissions of results and qualifications. Personal interviews may also be done, and there is never a guarantee of success with one institution; it is, therefore, advisable that you make several applications.
3.Study
Maritime Law is wide and quite distinct from other branches of Law. While it is not expressly mandatory, you may find it helpful to venture into other related and “specialty” courses, besides the foundational (basic) ones. These courses include but are not limited to:
- Marine Insurance
- Admiralty Law
- Marine Pollution
- Injured Employee Compensation
- International Law
It’s a good idea always to find out how much time it will take you to complete the Law Degree so that you’re in terms with your commitment. On average, law school could take you about three years; it, however, differs from institution to region.
4.Get Licensed!
Successful completion and graduation from law school lead you to the next stage of getting licensed to practice law. A bar exam, which you may or may not be familiar with, will earn you a legal license. It is, however, famous for its challenging nature. It is not an easy thing to be admitted into society as a lawyer, anyway—it wouldn’t be! Take your time to prepare. Study hard and smart; upon passing this test, you can apply for a license and become a Maritime Lawyer.
Is there pay?
Well, there is! Maritime Lawyers’ salary, on average, ranges from $40,000 to $100,000 annually. Monthly, Maritime Lawyers, on average, earn $6,000. Your reasons for pursuing this legal degree will determine your satisfaction with how much goes into your bank at the end of every month or year. Job availability is good, and what is mostly needed is persistence, hard work, and a passion for the sea, among many other things, mentioned, and not.
Why don’t we have a look at some of the top Maritime Lawyers so that you have a better idea of who is out there and doing what? As per Lloyd’s List of 2019, they are:
1.Harry Theochari
Harry Theochari is the mastermind behind the growth of the great law firm, Norton Rose Fulbright. He also couples as Maritime UK’s acting chair and Maritime London’s deputy chair. Mr. Theochari has, together with a team, been working towards restructuring Danaos Corp and also handling the United States’ Toisa Chapter 11.
2.Vincent Power
European Maritime Law Organisation will be proud this year to have Vincent Power as the new chairperson. This Maritime Lawyer and author has plans to venture into various maritime law areas, while a partner specializing in competition and procurement at Irish law firm A&L Goodbody.
3.Simon Rainey
Ark v Silverburn, a London shipping case that saw users of Barecon 89 suffer implications following the High Court ruling on maintaining class under a bareboat charter, where no absolute obligation was established. Simon Rainey took over this, among other such landmark cases; he has been regarded to be one of the most prominent shipping-specialist silks in Britain. Besides making into Shipping Silk of the Year’s shortlist, Mr. Rainey also came up in the 2020’s Legal 500 UK Awards as the Arbitration Silk of the Year.
4.Gina Lee-Wan
Specializing in offshore, contentious and non-contentious matters, Gina Lee-Wan co-heads Allen & Gledhill, and is prominent among the “people of the sea.” She is an individual award winner of the International Maritime Centre. Singapore Academy of Law noted, among others, Gina to be a Maritime and Shipping Law senior accredited specialist. Shipowners in Singapore and major banks, among others, go to Ms. Lee-Wan for representation. She has also often appeared among Chamber Global’s top tier shipping individuals.
5.Steven Berry
Representing respondents through the Court of Appeal and on, Essex Court’s Steven Berry has since 1985 covered matters in insurance, reinsurance, shipping, international sale of goods, international banking, and even arbitration. Renos saw the UK Supreme Court judgment on the inclusion of constructive total loss in all reasonable costs of a vessel’s safeguarding and salving, from the casualty time and on, and the exclusion of special salvor-compensation. It has been regarded as being among the most significant 2019 shipping judgments.
If you want to become a Maritime Lawyer, then go for it! There is a whole world out there waiting for you—a beautiful world, full of adventure, challenges, fun, and lessons.
