Society Of Maritime Arbitrators
An internationally recognized leading forum for the arbitration of maritime and commercial disputes
The February 2025 issue of
THE ARBITRATOR
THE ARBITRATOR - Volume 55, No.1 - February 2025
has been published. You may retrieve it
by clicking on the following link:
All of us at the SMA were saddened to learn that former SMA President, Klaus C.J. Mordhorst, died on Saturday, February 8, 2025, in Philadelphia. His obituary may be found at this link, Klaus Mordhorst Obituary (1939 - 2025) - Legacy Remembers. Klaus joined the SMA in 1974 and served as President from 2005-2009. Klaus was respected by all and will be missed. The family is planning a service this spring.
Luncheon Schedule
Yesterday we held our monthly Speaker Luncheon where SMA member Charles Anderson made a fascinating presentation about "Sinking the United States: The Battle to Save the World's Fastest Ocean Liner and America's Flagship." The lunch was well attended and we thank Charles for captivating the audience with a history lesson rich in classic sea stories!
The Tulane Maritime Law Journal recently published articles by SMA President LeRoy Lambert and SMA member Dr. William Moore. President Lambert’s article (which he co-authored with Brian McEwing of Reeves & McEwing of Philadelphia) is titled: “Enforcement of Arbitration Agreements in Seafarer Employment Contracts: May State Law Arbitration Statutes Apply?” . Dr. Moore’s article is titled: “Sustainability and Greener Technologies: A Protection and Indemnity Club’s Perspective”.
The SMA hosted our monthly speaker luncheon on March 12 where Christina Liviakis Gianopulos, Director of Business Development, ASR (American Ship Repair) Co., Inc. and President, WISTA USA, discussed "WISTA USA: Powering Shipping’s Future Through Strong Networks." We thank Christina and all who attended for joining us at another excellent lunch!
On January 14, 2025, a cold day in NYC, the SMA was pleased to welcome 40 guests to our SMA monthly luncheon held at the NYC offices of Winston & Strawn LLP. Charlie Papavizas, (featured second from left with SMA members George Tsimis, SMA VP Bob Meehan and Muge Anber-Kontakis), Partner and Chair of the Maritime Law Practice at Winston & Strawn, spoke eloquently about his book, “Journey to the Jones Act-U.S. Merchant Marine Policy 1776-1920,” which was published in April 2024. The SMA is grateful to Winston & Strawn for providing its offices as a venue for the luncheon.
Also recognized and warmly welcomed were newly admitted SMA members Mark Newcomb (featured far left) and Bruce Richards (featured second from right below with SMA Membership Committee Chair Gil Landy and SMA VP Bob Meehan).
On December 11, 2024, the SMA was pleased to welcome 70 guests to its annual holiday luncheon, held at the 3 West Club, at which Raymond Burke, Jr. (featured below with SMA President LeRoy Lambert) was honored with the first SMA Achievement Award in recognition of his storied 50 year career at Burke & Parsons. Ray and his colleagues supported the SMA and maritime arbitration from the beginning. During his career, Ray appeared as counsel of record in many published SMA Awards, was often appointed as arbitrator or selected as chair, and sat as a panelist in six published awards.
Also recognized was Jan Gisholt, Vice-President/Senior Lawyer at Skuld North America, Inc. (featured below with SMA President LeRoy Lambert and Membership Chair Gil Landy), who has recently been welcomed into the ranks of the SMA.
On October 16, 2024, the SMA was delighted to co-sponsor, together with the Admiralty and Arbitration Committees of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, the MLA, NYMAR, and Jus Mundi, a reception marking the publication of the 2d edition of "Navigating Maritime Arbitration", edited by SMA member David Martowski (pictured at the lectern) and John Kimball, a partner at Blank Rome LLP. In addition to Mr. Martowski and Mr. Kimball, speakers included Clay Maitland, Allison Skopec (pictured on the left of the group photo) of Holland & Knight LLP and NYC Bar Association Admiralty Committee Chair, and Gretta Walters (pictured on the right of the group photo) of Chaffetz Lindsey LLC and NYC Bar Association Arbitration Committee Chair. SMA members who attended included Charles Anderson, Louis Epstein, David Gilmartin, Anne Summers, George Tsimis (pictured in group photo) and Soren Wolmar.
SMA board member and past President Robert Shaw participated in a debate at the New York International Arbitration Center’s Grand Central Forum on September 24, 2024. The debate topic was: Preliminary Dispositions in Arbitration. In attendance were SMA members George Tsimis, Ilarion Marr, Bob Meehan, Jack Warfield and David Martowski (not pictured).
About The SMA
New York based SMA, a professional non-profit organization, is an internationally recognized leading forum for the arbitration and mediation of maritime and commercial disputes. The mission of the SMA is to establish commercially effective legal procedures for Alternative Dispute Resolution. The SMA trains and provides the maritime industry with experienced commercial professionals who resolve disputes in an impartial, timely and cost-efficient manner.
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