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    Marc Matthews photograph

    Marc Matthews

    Senior Partner

    Houston
    713-225-7275
    marc.matthews@phelps.com
    Areas Of Focus
    AdmiraltyLitigation

    Marc Matthews practices in the areas of admiralty and tort litigation with a special emphasis in defending vessel owners and operators from claims arising under the Jones Act, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, as well as from claims arising from vessel collisions and cargo damage. He has extensive experience in the arrest and seizure of vessels in the federal courts, both from the standpoint of arresting vessels and from the standpoint of obtaining the release of arrested vessels.

    In addition to his maritime practice, Marc has substantial experience in handling commercial contract disputes (in both land-based and maritime contexts) and insurance subrogation.

    Marc is a trained mediator and is available to act as a third-party neutral mediator to assist litigants in resolving their disputes prior to trial.

    Marc is a trained mediator and is available to act as a third-party neutral mediator to assist litigants in resolving their disputes prior to trial.

    Experience

    • Recently assisted a client in a year-long negotiation of a $90 million contract to provide marine crew for a Jones Act compliant mobile offshore self-elevating wind turbine installation vessel.

    • Successfully represented the owner and operator of an AHTS vessel against a federal lawsuit brought by a pipeline operator in the Gulf of Mexico. The pipeline, located in 2,000 feet of water, incurred damages of more than $25 million. The matter settled during the third week of trial for the same amount offered by Mr. Matthews’ client at mediation prior to trial.

    • Recently obtained a complete defense verdict for his client, arising out of an alleged on-the-job injury to a pipeline control room operator. After a three-day trial, the jury returned a defense verdict within half an hour.
    • Defended an offshore supply boat operator in connection with Jones Act negligence and unseaworthiness claims brought by the client’s vessel captains following a piracy attack and vessel boarding off the coast of Africa.
    • Recently defended his client in a vessel collision case resulting in personal injury onboard the plaintiff’s vessel and substantial damage to both vessels. Extensive negotiations followed by mediation resulted in a net payment to his client to settle the dispute.
    • Defended a tanker operator from claims arising out of a vessel collision and large oil spill in the Sabine-Neches Waterway. The defense team filed a limitation action in federal court pursuant to the Limitation of Liability Act. More than 15,000 claimants (most of them proceeding without the assistance of counsel) filed claims in the limitation action, alleging toxic tort injuries.
    • Defended numerous cases involving the unfortunate deaths of Jones Act seamen and longshoremen, and has defended many more cases of serious injury to maritime and land-based workers.
    • Recently defended his client in a vessel collision case resulting in personal injury onboard the plaintiff’s vessel and substantial damage to both vessels. Extensive negotiations followed by mediation resulted in a net payment to his client to settle the dispute.
    • Defended a tanker operator from claims arising out of a vessel collision and large oil spill in the Sabine-Neches Waterway. The defense team filed a limitation action in federal court pursuant to the Limitation of Liability Act. More than 15,000 claimants (most of them proceeding without the assistance of counsel) filed claims in the limitation action, alleging toxic tort injuries.
    • Defended numerous cases involving the unfortunate deaths of Jones Act seamen and longshoremen, and has defended many more cases of serious injury to maritime and land-based workers.

    Insights

    • August 15, 2024

      185 Phelps Lawyers Chosen for Best Lawyers in America, 20 Named "Lawyer of the Year," 26 Added to “Ones to Watch” List…

    • August 17, 2023

      Best Lawyers in America Selects 208 Phelps Lawyers, Names 12 "Lawyer of the Year," Adds 47 to "Ones to Watch" List…

    More +
    • August 18, 2022

      Best Lawyers in America Selects 158 Phelps Lawyers, Names 10 "Lawyer of the Year," Adds 40 to "Ones to Watch" List…

    Recognition

    • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
    • Admiralty and Maritime Law, The Best Lawyers in America (2018-2025)
    • Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, Super Lawyers (2014-2016)
    • Houston's Top Lawyers, H Texas
    • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
    • Admiralty and Maritime Law, The Best Lawyers in America (2018-2025)
    • Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, Super Lawyers (2014-2016)
    • Houston's Top Lawyers, H Texas

    Education

    • University of Texas School of Law, J.D., with honors, 2006
    • University of Texas, B.A., American Studies, 2003
    • Texas Culinary Academy, Associate, Culinary Arts, 1996
    • University of Texas School of Law, J.D., with honors, 2006
    • University of Texas, B.A., American Studies, 2003
    • Texas Culinary Academy, Associate, Culinary Arts, 1996

    Credentials

    • Texas
    • Maine
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
    • U.S. District Court, District of Maine
    • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
    • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
    • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
    • U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
    • Texas
    • Maine
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
    • U.S. District Court, District of Maine
    • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
    • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
    • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
    • U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas

    Memberships and Affiliations

    • State Bar of Texas
    • Houston Bar Association
    • Maritime Law Association of the United States
    • Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute
    • Houston Mariners Club
    • Maine State Bar Association 
    • Propeller Club of Portland, Maine
    • State Bar of Texas
    • Houston Bar Association
    • Maritime Law Association of the United States
    • Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute
    • Houston Mariners Club
    • Maine State Bar Association 
    • Propeller Club of Portland, Maine
    • Overview
    • Experience
    • Insights
    • Recognition
    • Education
    • Credentials
    • Memberships and Affiliations

    Related Services

    • Admiralty
    • Litigation
    • Energy
    • Oil and Gas and Minerals
    • Toxic Tort Litigation
    • Mediation
    • Maritime
    • Renewables
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