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Practice Areas: Civil Litigation, Maritime Law, Commercial Litigation

Additional Information:

Jim handles a broad range of business issues and complex civil litigation matters in federal and state courts. He has substantial jury trial experience and serves as adjunct Professor of Law, teaching Federal Courts and Trial Practice at Regent University School of Law. His practice includes business law, complex civil litigation, maritime law, railroad law and subrogation matters. Jim is licensed to practice law in Virginia and North Carolina and is Chairman of the firm’s Litigation Department.

Representative Experience:

General counsel for numerous businesses advising across full spectrum of management issues including governance, finance, regulatory compliance, employment, insurance and strategic planning.
Represents clients in a range of business disputes, including contracts, property rights, tort liability and other matters.
Federal and state court litigation in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Maryland, New Mexico and California.
Represents marine insurers and insureds involving the full range of marine insurance disputes: H&M, P&I, pollution, FD&D, war risk, yacht and cargo.
Cases involving injuries and death within admiralty jurisdiction under the Jones Act, section 905(b) of the LHWCA, DOHSA, and the general maritime law.
Vessel arrests and attachments to obtain security for maritime liens.
Represents lenders, borrowers, buyers and sellers of vessels requiring perfection of preferred ship mortgages and other security interests.
EPA/USCG investigations involving oil record books, inoperable incinerators or defective oily water separators.
Limitation of Liability actions on behalf of vessel owners.
Lecturer on insurance and other topics of interest to the maritime industry.
Adjunct Professor of Law, Regent University School of Law.
Captain, United States Army, Judge Advocate General Corps (1982-1990).

Representative Cases:

MidAtlantic Int'l, Inc. v. AGC Flat Glass N. Am., Inc., 497 Fed. Appx. 279 (4th Cir. 2012)
Norfolk and Portsmouth Belt Line RR Co. v. Wilson, 667 S.E.2d 735 (Va. 2008)
Norfolk Dredging Company v. Wiley, 450 F.Supp.2d 620 (E.D. Va. 2006)
Vulcan Materials Company, Tug Chance Limitation Proceedings, 412 F.Supp.2d 566 and 369 F.Supp.2d 438 (E.D. Va. 2005)
Norfolk Dredging Company Derrick No. 4 Limitation Proceedings, 287 F.Supp.2d 674, 2003 A.M.C. 403 and 2622 (E.D.N.C. 2003)
Bank of Montreal v. Signet Bank, 193 F.3d 818 (4th Cir. 1999)
Maritrans Operating Partners v. M/V BALSA 37, 64 F.3d 150, 1995 A.M.C. 2671 (4th Cir. 1995)
Gillikin v. Weeks Marine, 247 Va. 89 (1994)
Hornbeck Offshore Operators v. Ocean Line of Bermuda, 849 F.Supp. 434 (E.D. Va. 1994)
Columbus-America Discovery Group, Inc. v. SS CENTRAL AMERICA, 742 F.Supp. 1327 (E.D.Va.1990), rev’d 974 F.2d 450 (4th Cir. 1992)
Cargill v. C & P Towing, 943 F.2d 48 (4th Cir. 1991)

Articles and Presentations:

J. L. Chapman, "Shipping and Maritime Law 2014", Roundtable Panel, presented by Corporate Live Wire (October 2014)
J. L. Chapman, “Deconstructing a Jury Trial,” presented at NPBA Seminar (2011)
J. L. Chapman, “Red Letter Clauses in Marina Slip Leases,” presented at SEALI Annual Meeting (2008)
J. L. Chapman, “Marine Insurance Claims and Practice,” presented at Lorman Marine Insurance Seminar (2007)
J. L. Chapman, “Ten Tempting (But Improper) Closing Arguments,” presented at SEALI Annual Meeting (2004)
J. L. Chapman, S. A. Voyles, “Cargo Litigation: A Primer on Cargo Claims and Review of Recent Developments,” 16 U.S.F. Mar. L.J. 1 (Spring 2004)
J.L. Chapman, M.M. Poindexter, “Treasure Salvage: Is it Finders-Keepers?” presented at SEALI Annual Meeting (1991)