There are few areas of law in which knowledge of the industry is as crucial to successful resolution of legal disputes as in admiralty and maritime law.
Mr. Skeen has broad experience in transactional and litigation matters arising out of the transportation of goods and people by water involving both commercial and recreational vessels. As an active practitioner in the state and federal courts, Mr. Skeen has kept pace with the ever changing industry and rules that apply to business on the navigable waters of the United States. Mr. Skeen has served as an assistant editor of American Maritime Cases (AMC) since 1976, and was named an editor in 2011. AMC is a premier resource for attorneys within the industry that publishes significant maritime court decisions from around the United States and foreign countries.
Mr. Skeen also represents clients in general litigation in the state and federal courts in other matters including fire and casualty, insurance coverage and defense, subrogation, personal injury and commercial litigation. He is an experienced mediator, arbitrator, and member of ADR Maryland.
Mr. Skeen is a lifelong resident of Maryland who has proudly contributed to the local community through professional groups and charities over the course of his career.
Marine insurers, shipowners, charterers, P&I Clubs, marine towing companies, dredge companies, marine contractors, marinas, shiprepair yards, cruise lines, international shippers, terminal operators, cargo insurers, recreational boatowners, marine lenders, marine suppliers, boat purchasers and sellers, container leasors, boat manufacturers, warehousemen, cargo owners, freight forwarders, brokers, agents, truckers, marine and treasure salvors, personal injury and death claimants.
- The Maritime Law Association of the United States (1973-present)
- Defense Research Institute, Admiralty Committee (1995-present)
- American Bar Association, Committee on Admiralty and Maritime Law TIPS Section (1986-present)
- President, Bar Association of Baltimore City (1990-1991), Chairman, Young Lawyers Section (1980-1981)
- Maryland State Bar Association, Member, Board of Governors, (1981-1982)(1991-1993)
- Litigation Counsel of America Trial Lawyer Honorary Society
Mr. Skeen has represented various interests in marine collisions, sinkings and capsizings, marine personal injury and death claims, tug and tow, property damage claims, cargo damage including physical damage, infestation, spoilage of produce, blood plasma temperature deviation cases, and others, cruise line, pilotage fees, Jones Act and Longshore Act status issues, maritime lien actions, arrest and attachments, judicial sales, mortgage foreclosures, maritime bankruptcies, repairyard issues, boat construction disputes, marine product liability cases, mariner licensing and wage issues, warehouse collapse, infestation and fire cases, trucking cases, shipper cases, recreational boating collisions, personal injury and death, marina theft and fire cases, towage contracts, vessel purchase and sale contracts, preferred ship mortgage preparation and filing, and marine insurance coverage cases.
- Author: “What is Admiralty Law?“, 2-4 Federal Bar Association, Maryland Chapter Newsletter (Fall, 2013)
- Author: “Admiralty Law Historical Exhibit Opens at U.S. District Courthouse in Baltimore,” WC&S Viewpoints (Summer/Fall 2011)
- Editor, American Maritime Cases, (2011 – ) Assistant Editor 1976-2011
- Author: “Liens and Liquidation: Preferences, Strong-Arm Clause, Fraudulent Transfers, Equitable Subordination, Priorities and other Lien Claims”, 59 Tulane Law Review, 1401 (1985)
- WCS Newsletter Articles
- Lecturer, The Law Club, The Odyssey of Cruise Line Litigation
- Lecturer, Knox Marine Yacht Claims Conference
- 1997 Subrogation
- 1998 “Don’t mess up my case even before I get it” Advice for marine surveyors and claims handlers
- 2000 Yacht Policy Exclusions
- 2006 Recent Recreational Boating cases
- 2011 Recent Recreational Boating cases
- Lecturer “Longshore Act Third-Party claims”, NBI Seminars (1993,1996)
- Lecturer, Tulane Maritime Law Institute 1985 “Liens and Liquidation: Preferences, Strong-Arm Clause, Fraudulent Transfers, Equitable Subordination, Priorities and other Lien claims”
