Skip to Content

Profile image of Michael Orlando

(713) 460–9800

[email protected]

Meyer Orlando, LLC
13201 Northwest Freeway , Ste. 119
Houston , TX 77040

Michael A. Orlando

Attorney


Mr. Orlando's column on maritime law presents the basics for a general understanding of the application of admiralty and maritime law.

Since becoming licensed to practice law in May 1982, Mr. Orlando has practiced maritime law, representing many different maritime interests in a broad spectrum of transactions and claims, in venues throughout Texas and the Gulf Coast. His clients have included ship owners, charterers, agents, stevedores, terminal operators, cargo owners, insurers, a wide variety of marine service and supply companies, financial institutions, and many others involved in maritime commerce.

Mr. Orlando has represented many Lloyd's underwriters and foreign insurers, Fortune 500 companies, and business interests of all sizes, as well as individuals involved with the maritime community. He is board certified in both civil pretrial practice and civil trial advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and has tried cases throughout Texas in federal and state courts as well as in administrative tribunals. Mr. Orlando is also an adjunct professor teaching pretrial litigation at the University of Houston Law School. His litigation experience includes being lead counsel in a case involving over $100 million in alleged damages from inception through oral argument in the US Supreme Court.

Mr. Orlando has been the chairman of the Board of Directors and head of the Executive Committee of the nonprofit Houston International Seafarers Center, known throughout the world as one of the finest centers for visiting seaman. He is an active member of the Propeller Club of the United States and the Houston Mariners Club, in which he served as chairman in 1991. He was also the chairman of The Houston Port Safety Advisory Council in 1992.

Mr. Orlando has been member of the Maritime Law Association of the United States since 1982. He is a Proctor member of that organization and presently serves on the Marine Insurance Committee as well as the Offshore Industries Committee. He has written and lectured extensively on marine and insurance topics. In addition, Mr. Orlando has been the chair of the American Bar Association, Tort and Insurance Practice Section, Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee, and the Corporate Counsel Committee. He also served as the chair of the International/London Market Committee of the State Bar of Texas, Insurance Law Section. He is also a member of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel of DRI (formerly the Defense Research Institute).

Mr. Orlando is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Texas, with a degree in honors business program and finance and a juris doctorate degree from the University of Houston Law Center.


Articles

Maritime Law

Obtaining Contribution for Maintenance and Cure

January 13, 2022 | Michael A Orlando

Maritime Law

Streamlining Seaman Status in the Fifth Circuit

June 05, 2021 | Michael A Orlando

IRMI Logo

Maritime Law

There's No Guarantee in Maritime Case

February 24, 2021 | Michael A Orlando

Maritime Law

Safe-Berth Clause in Vessel Charter Agreements

July 03, 2020 | Michael A Orlando

Maritime Law

What Constitutes a "Prevailing Party" in a Maritime Contract Dispute?

March 20, 2020 | Michael A Orlando

Maritime Law

Summer in the Supreme Court: 2019 Maritime Update

August 16, 2019 | Michael A Orlando

Maritime Law

US Supreme Court Expands Maritime Products Liability Duty to Warn

April 12, 2019 | Michael A Orlando

Maritime Law

<i>Shell Offshore v. Tesla Offshore</i>: Questions of Towing

November 02, 2018 | Michael A Orlando

Maritime Law

Fifth Circuit Applies Its Simplified Maritime Contract Test

August 17, 2018 | Michael A Orlando

Maritime Law

Streamlining the Maritime Contract Test

February 16, 2018 | Michael A Orlando

Maritime Law

Two OPA Issues of First Impression Equal One Costly Result

December 01, 2017 | Michael A Orlando

Maritime Law

Coverage Exists for Master Services Contract Reformed Midlitigation

June 23, 2017 | Michael A Orlando

Maritime Law

Service Performed with Crane Barge Is a Maritime Contract

March 10, 2017 | Michael A Orlando

Maritime Law

P&I Policy No Catchall for Marine Liability*

April 22, 2016 | Michael A Orlando

Maritime Law

In re Deepwater Horizon: Additional Insured Questions Resolved*

March 01, 2015 | Michael A Orlando

Maritime Law

Supreme Court Casts Shade on Bright Line Test for Vessel Status

February 01, 2013 | Michael A Orlando

Maritime Law

US Supreme Court Constricts Carmack Amendment

September 04, 2010 | Michael A Orlando

Maritime Law

Significant Narrowing of Rule B Attachments

November 01, 2009 | Michael A Orlando

Maritime Law

Choice-of-Law Clauses in Marine Cargo Insurance Policy

January 10, 2009 | Michael A Orlando

Maritime Law

Consistent Dispute Resolute Clauses Needed in Maritime Contracts

July 01, 2008 | Michael A Orlando

Maritime Law

Supreme Court Resolves Circuit Split on Forum Non Conveniens

August 18, 2007 | Michael A Orlando

Maritime Law

ADA Applies to Foreign-Flag Cruise Ships—In Theory

August 20, 2005 | Michael A Orlando

Maritime Law

Taking Some Teeth Out of the Louisiana Oilfield Indemnity Statute

May 14, 2005 | Michael A Orlando

Maritime Law

Supreme Court Rules a Dredge Is a Jones Act Vessel

March 18, 2005 | Michael A Orlando

Maritime Law

Enforcement of Federal Law on Foreign-Flagged Ships in U.S. Waters

November 13, 2004 | Michael A Orlando

IRMI Logo

Maritime Law

Circuit Split Widens over Exculpatory Clauses in Maritime Contracts:

February 01, 2004 | Michael A Orlando

IRMI Logo

Maritime Law

A Lien Is a Lien Is a Lien, but a Maritime Lien Is Not

June 01, 2003 | Michael A Orlando

Maritime Law

Maritime Pollution: Mixing OPA and CERCLA Makes for Foul Waters

January 11, 2003 | Michael A Orlando

Maritime Law

OSHA Takes a Dip in the Sea

August 17, 2002 | Michael A Orlando

IRMI Logo

Maritime Law

To Remove or Not to Remove, That Is the Question

February 01, 2002 | Michael A Orlando