Jana Byron passed unexpectedly away last week. After several years of private practice in New York, she joined Thomas Miller, handling claims for the UK P&I Club, and later moved to the American Club. She then relocated in Houston and joined PL Ferrari in 2016, which was acquired by Lockton in 2020. She was recently appointed as Lockton’s U.S. Marine Risks and Liability Practice Leader. Jana will be sorely missed by her family, friends, and colleagues.

A memorial will be held on Weds. Aug 27 from 2:30-5:30 at Lulu’s restaurant (corner of Westheimer and Kirby) in Houston.

A Celebration of Life is being planned for November 1, 2025 in NYC, details will be published when known.

The MLA held its Spring Meetings in NYNY from April 30to May 1, 2025. Thanks to our host law firms at Blank Rome, Holland & Knight, K&L Gates, and Clyde & Co. Many of our committee meetings featured CLE presentations. We are grateful for the participation of the USCG at several committee meetings and also the address by Admiral Batson at our General Meeting.

The MLA was also privileged to co-host the Healy Lecture hosted by John Kimball. Social events included a Reception at the NY Yacht Club, a Connolly’s Pub Party, and a co-sponsored WISTA Reception. Our next General Meeting is on October 15, 2025, at the InterContinental Wharf in Washington D.C.

In the Winter of 2025, the MLA Board of Directors met in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and toured Port Everglades. The Board discussed membership issues including meeting formats, CLE, technology, dues, and increasing membership undertaken by an Ad Hoc BOD Committee. The Ad Hoc Membership Committee is working on a membership survey and will report to the general membership in October on its findings and recommendations. The Ad Hoc Committee’s work is in line with the Future of the MLA project which has continued since 2005. The BOD has also discussed the formation of an Ad Hoc Multi Modal Transportation Committee to address the intermodal issues between ship, rail, and trucking interests. Past President Holland reported on the work of the new Nominating Committee and the transparency of their work. Finally, training was provided on the new webpage that was launched officially on May 28, 2025.

This Summer, the MLA BOD has been invited to meet with the Canadian MLA President and will discuss, inter alia, cross border issues.

MLA members are active in the Average Adjusters Association and the Comité Maritime International. Several MLA members met in May at Lloyd’s of London for the Annual Average Adjusters Meeting and then participated in the Annual Savoy Dinner where Joe Grasso presented.

Later in May, approximately ten (10) MLA members attended the CMI Meeting in Tokyo, Japan. MLA members actively participated in working group committees including Lex Maritima, Cargo, Offshore Wind, Marine Insurance, Cruise Lines, and Arctic issues. The U.S. voting delegation included Grady Hurley, James Moseley, and Lynn Krieger. Mr. Moseley was elected as a titulary member. Past President, Frank Nolan, serves on the CMI Executive Committee and has focused on the adoption of the Beijing Convention on Judicial Sales of Ships.

Peter D. Clark, the firm’s co-founding partner, passed away on July 6, 2025. He was a long-time resident of Harding Township, New Jersey. In 2020, he relocated to Lords Valley, Pennsylvania. 

Peter was born in Newton, Massachusetts in 1942. He graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 1967. He sailed for seven years on U.S. flag vessels and was a licensed chief engineer. He graduated from St. John’s University School of Law in 1975 and earned a master’s degree in international law from New York University in 1981. He was admitted to the courts of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and the District of Columbia, along with the United States Supreme Court and the United States Court of International Trade. He co-founded the law firm of Clark, Atcheson & Reisert in 1992, and served as Senior Partner until his retirement in 2018. Peter’s areas of specialty included maritime casualties, vessel oil spills, environmental law, ship repair disputes, marine insurance and charter party arbitrations. From 1989-1997, he authored the column “Sea Law” for the Journal of Commerce, wherein he provided legal information to the maritime community. He also served as a mediator and arbitrator for the Superior Court of New Jersey and as an arbitrator for the Society of Maritime Arbitrators. 

The maritime law firm of Famulari, Butto & Higginbottom, PLLC seeks an attorney with 2–4 years of experience to join its active maritime practice, which includes mostly litigation and some transactional work. This is a hybrid position requiring the attorney to work a few days of the week out of the Tampa office. There will also be occasional travel throughout Florida as required by individual case needs.

Requirements
Candidates must have Federal Court experience, strong written/oral advocacy skills, and a Florida Bar license in good standing. Familiarity with maritime law and/or prior experience in the maritime industry is preferred.