Francis V. Liantonio Jr.

Mr. Liantonio is copresenting Workshop W12, "Understanding Maritime Risks and Exposures," on Wednesday afternoon. He is a litigator and business advisor with experience in many diverse areas of law. With more than 20 years of experience in the maritime field, including work as a marine surveyor, he has handled a wide range of energy and marine claims involving collisions, towage, limitation of liability, oil pollution, salvage, personal injury, wrongful death, property damage, pipeline casualties, drilling and completion, reservoir damage, charter parties, master service agreements, drilling contracts, maritime contracts, vessel construction, and other similar claims. Mr. Liantonio is also experienced in the areas of environmental, oil and gas, toxic tort, federal whistle-blower, transportation, and commercial litigation matters. He has defended insurers against bad faith claims and professional liability claims against, among others, surveyors and insurance professionals.

Mr. Liantonio has appeared in federal and state courts in Louisiana and Texas and before the National Transportation Safety Board, the Minerals Management Service, the U.S. Coast Guard, and other Administrative Law Judges. He also has experience with arbitration and mediation of matters. He has investigated numerous serious casualties and has experience in quickly assessing risks and managing the response with clients by working with investigating governmental authorities, the media, and outside consultants. In addition to litigating claims, Mr. Liantonio regularly advises clients on contractual and general business issues. He regularly drafts and negotiates maritime and oilfield contracts, including vessel construction and repair contracts, and has defended corporate criminal investigations. He recently completed a significant maritime financing transaction for the construction of U.S. flag tankships, which involved the negotiation and drafting of a variety of construction, fabrication, design, and procurement contracts.

When not practicing law, Mr. Liantonio is active in the community. He is a member of the Board of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure New Orleans Affiliate and has served as the Race for the Cure Co-Chair since 2007. He has coached youth soccer for more than a decade and has served on the board of a local soccer club. An avid supporter of the firm's HUGS program, he is a founder and coordinator for the "Donate a Phone" program that provides donated cell phones to special needs recipients.