Neil Quartaro

Vice Chair, Japan Practice

Recent News:

Super Lawyers Recognizes 35 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys in New York

Fourteen attorneys were recognized as Super Lawyers, and 21 were named “Rising Stars,” a list that recognizes attorneys under the age of 40.

Neil focuses his practice on international and domestic transportation and trade matters — particularly those involving cross-border investments, disputes, and maritime issues. He handles inbound investments, international contract disputes, creditors’ rights in U.S. bankruptcy proceedings, obtaining pre- and post-judgment security, vessel and aircraft foreclosure, and charter and aircraft lease disputes. In addition, he handles various transactions, including those in the transportation space such as ship and aircraft charters and leases, sale and purchase, vessel construction contracts, purchase agreements, terminal agreements, and private equity investments in shipping.

As Vice Chair of the firm’s Japan Practice, Neil assists his Japanese clients with many aspects of their investments and operations in the United States, including mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance, and general U.S. law advice.  He often assembles working teams of specialists in various areas to support acquisitions, investments and other activities in the United States across the firm's many practice areas and offices.

Neil is a past chair of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) International Section and serves on the NYSBA President’s Committee on State Bar Governance. He also co-chairs the NYSBA International Section Transportation Committee and is the Chair of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Committee of the Maritime Law Association. He has also lectured at Columbia University, teaching a class on Transportation, Law & Public Policy. Neil is regularly interviewed on the radio and television, and, in addition to his public speaking engagements, is regularly interviewed and quoted in leading business and transportation publications, including the Wall Street Journal, Fairplay, Global Restructuring Review, and Tradewinds.

Neil earned his bachelor’s degree from York University and earned his law degree from Fordham University School of Law.

Experience

News

Super Lawyers Recognizes 35 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys in New York

October 24, 2024

Fourteen attorneys were recognized as Super Lawyers, and 21 were named “Rising Stars,” a list that recognizes attorneys under the age of 40.

Best Lawyers Honors More Than 200 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys in its Best Lawyers in America 2025 Edition

August 15, 2024

Best Lawyers selected 242 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s U.S. offices for inclusion in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.

Nearly 100 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 27 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2024 Guide

June 10, 2024

Chambers USA rankings are based on an “assessment of a firm’s work and opinions from external market sources, with an emphasis on client feedback.” In order to be ranked in the guide, lawyers and firms must demonstrate “sustained excellence.”

Neil Quartaro Named Chair of the Maritime Law Association Maritime Bankruptcy and Insolvency Committee

October 03, 2023

Neil Quartaro, a member of the firm’s Transportation and Trade Group, has been appointed chair of the Maritime Law Association’s Maritime Bankruptcy and Insolvency Committee.

Super Lawyers Recognizes 27 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys in New York

September 22, 2023

Thirteen attorneys were recognized as Super Lawyers and 14 were named “Rising Stars.”

Eighty-eight Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 23 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2023 Guide

June 05, 2023

Of the 88 lawyers ranked, 17 lawyers have been recognized nationally, and eighteen were recognized in Band 1. Eight of the firm's practice areas have been recognized nationally, and nine were ranked Band 1.

Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Reflect on Serving Veterans

November 11, 2022

This Veterans Day, we share the reflections of our attorneys who have dedicated their time to assisting veterans in a variety of legal capacities.

21 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Recognized as New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

October 03, 2022

Super Lawyers has named 21 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to its 2022 New York Metro Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

Russian Cargo Ships Spotted 'Going Dark' to Evade Sanctions

March 28, 2022

Neil Quartaro was quoted in an article published by Voice of America which discusses how Russian tanker ships carrying oil and petroleum products have been observed turning off systems that broadcast their identity and location, which is often associated with efforts to evade sanctions.

Neil Quartaro Interviews with CMA Shipping

October 18, 2021

Neil Quartaro talks with CMA Shipping about the challenges of adapting to the new normal.

Super Lawyers Recognizes 17 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys in New York

October 04, 2021

Super Lawyers has named 17 Cozen O’Connor attorneys to its 2021 New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list.

Cozen O’Connor’s Transportation Practice Continues Growth with the Addition of Prominent New York Maritime Lawyer Neil Quartaro

February 11, 2020

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.

Publications

The Absentee Custodian [Alert]

May 05, 2021

Geoffrey Ferrer, Christopher Raleigh, and Neil Quartaro discuss substitute custodians and the responsibilities of the arresting party.

Don’t Give Up Your Leverage — The Interplay Between Vessel Arrest and the Automatic Stay [Alert]

April 28, 2021

Geoffrey Ferrer, Christopher Raleigh, Neil Quartaro, Eric Scherling, and Erik Schmidt discuss a recent victory for a client in connection with a debtor that was in severe financial distress.

Education

  • Fordham University School of Law, J.D., 2002
  • York University, B.A., 1998

Awards & Honors

Chambers & Partners USA: Transportation: Shipping/Maritime: Litigation 2023, 2024

Martindale-Hubbell “AV” rated

Maritime Law Association, Proctor in Admiralty

Super Lawyers New York in Transportation & Maritime Law, 2015 – present

Who’s Who Legal, expert in shipping law, 2015 – present

Best Lawyers in America, 2025

  • New York

New York State Bar Association, International Section, Past Chair

Maritime Law Association of the United States, Proctor

American Bar Association, International Section, Member

Association of the Bar of the City of New York, Member

Fordham Law Alumni Association, Member

New York State Bar Association, President's Committee on State Bar Governance, Member

New York State Bar Association, International Section Transportation Committee, Co-Chair

Maritime Law Association, Bankruptcy and Insolvency Committee, Chair