NEW YORK– February 11, 2020 – Cozen O’Connor welcomed Neil A. Quartaro, one of New York City’s leading international maritime attorneys, to its growing Transportation & Trade Practice. An experienced commercial litigator, Quartaro has for nearly two decades advised and represented clients in a range of transportation and maritime industry disputes throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. He joins Cozen O’Connor as a member and will reside in its Downtown Manhattan office.
Quartaro comes to Cozen O’Connor from Watson Farley & Williams LLP and will focus his practice on transportation-related U.S. and international litigation, arbitration, and bankruptcy matters. In addition to his experience with business related litigation, Quartaro will continue advising clients on contracts and transactions within the international maritime sector, including private equity investments in the shipping space, vessel sales, purchase and foreclosure transactions, and charter and pool agreements.
“With the international transportation sector facing major changes in the coming years, adding a top notch maritime/commercial litigator of Neil’s experience is a major addition to Cozen O’Connor’s already versatile maritime litigation team,” said Jeffrey F. Lawrence, chair of the firm’s Transportation & Trade Practice Group and co-chair of its International Practice. “Of great interest to our clients, Neil also brings to us a substantial and successful international alternative dispute resolution practice, continuing the firm’s growth in that area. He’s a unique talent and I’m pleased to welcome him to our transportation and trade team.”
Quartaro has handled transportation-related disputes in the United States, England, France, Switzerland, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Italy and Greece, as well as Japan, China, South Korea, Singapore and Australia. AV-rated for both ethics and skills, he has also been listed by Super Lawyers as a “top-rated Transportation and Maritime Attorney in New York” from 2015 to 2019.
A recent chair of the New York State Bar Association’s International Section — a 2,500-member global organization that provides a New York law perspective on critical international legal issues at the city, state and federal level — he is currently secretary of the Maritime Law Association’s Bankruptcy and Insolvency Committee and also serves on the Connecticut Maritime Association’s Advisory Board.
“I chose Cozen O’Connor because its Transportation and Trade Practice is known nationally and internationally as a group with high-quality capabilities,” said Quartaro. “That reputation, combined with the firm’s extensive network of offices in 26 cities throughout the United States, will allow me to better support my clients, especially in cases or transactions outside the New York area.”
Quartaro earned his J.D. at Fordham School of Law, and his B.A in International Relations at Toronto’s York University.
About Cozen O’Connor’s Transportation & Trade Group
Cozen O’Connor’s Transportation practice comprises more than 30 attorneys with decades of experience in maritime, aviation, logistics, intermodal and ground transport. Their clients include ocean carriers, vessel owners and charterers; cruise lines and ferry companies; air carriers and aviation companies; logistics providers; surface transporters; joint ventures, trade associations and equipment pools; and financial institutions, investors and insurers. Our members have testified as experts on maritime and aviation law in proceedings before foreign tribunals, served on U.S. delegations to negotiate and implement international transportation treaties, contributed to industry-recognized legal publications, and received the highest rankings from Chambers and Partners USA.
About Cozen O’Connor
Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 925 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 33 offices across two continents.
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