Big law firm experience protecting maritime entrepreneurs
Who We Are
World-Class Vessel Sale Guidance, Cost-Effective Results
Our team is led by Michael Bono, a seasoned maritime attorney with over 30 years of experience. As a former operator of a 5,000-ton freighter in the Caribbean trade, Michael combines practical maritime experience with legal acumen and a team of highly networked experts to navigate the complexities of buying, selling, and managing commercial vessels around the world. Our mission is to provide expert guidance in the sale process at an affordable, predicable cost to help maritime operators avoid expensive mistakes that we repeatedly see happen in vessel sales. For more on Michael’s background, please visit his LinkedIn page.
Practical experience …
… from operating this Caribbean freighter
If you have a sale that you want to close soon, then let’s discuss your situation in a no-obligation phone call. We can help guide you through the sale process.
Our History
Not many maritime lawyers can say they have:
•
Specialized Legal Education
from the world’s leading maritime law program
•
Practical Knowledge
from operating a freighter (in the Caribbean)
•
Broad Experience
in almost every area of maritime law
•
Dedication
to a good cause – using big law firm experience to help maritime entrepreneurs grow and avoid costly mistakes
The legal career of our team leader, Michael Bono, began more than 30 years ago and since then he has aided a full range of clients – from large shipping companies, top marine financiers, multi-national oil companies, and leading marine insurers, to clients with less than a handful of smaller vessels such as tugs, barges, workboats, charter yachts, ferries and commercial fishing vessels. In doing so he’s gained experience in practically all areas of maritime law, including vessel sales and finance, charter parties, ship collisions, cargo damage, vessel registration and documentation, salvage, maritime lien rights, wreck removal, towage, marine insurance, shipping regulations and more.
Here are some of his milestones:
1993
Earned the degree of Master of Laws in Admiralty
After gaining his first law degree, Michael was in a select group of lawyers from around the world chosen to study each year at the Maritime Law Center of Tulane University, widely recognized as the world’s leading maritime law program. He was a member of the Tulane Maritime Law Journal and obtained an advanced law degree in Admiralty Law (also referred to as Maritime Law and Shipping Law).
1993
Joined the maritime department of a major U.S. law firm
While a member of the 30-lawyer Maritime & Aviation Department of Lane Powell, one of the largest law firms in the U.S. firm at that time, Michael worked on a wide range of maritime matters including the dangerous work of clients in sub-Arctic waters and even the final stages of the major Exxon Valdez oil pollution disaster.
1996
Transitioned to a prominent specialist maritime law firm
When Michael joined Rice Fowler in New Orleans, he initially focused on marine insurance coverage work for clients in the London insurance market, such as underwriters at Lloyd’s of London. He then joined the firm’s “blue water” maritime team and handled a wide range of large ship matters, including ship repossessions for some of the world’s major maritime financiers. This led to what comes next …
2001
Co-founded one of the world’s most recognized ship repossession companies
Michael partnered with Capt. Max Hardberger to form Vessel Extractions LLC (“VessEx”), which they developed into a high-profile ship repo company that’s been featured in books and media around the world, from major London newspapers to The History Channel. He’s handled complex ship repossessions across the globe and has operational experience in challenging jurisdictions such as Somalia, Haiti and Venezuela.
2003
Founded a specialist maritime law firm
Michael founded Admiralty Associates, a niche law firm that only handles maritime law matters. Since then, his work has focused on serving the needs of maritime entrepreneurs with operations in areas such as the Caribbean that are underserved by true full-time maritime lawyers. His work has and still is focused on vessel sales and registration, charter parties and other maritime business transactions.
2009
Co-Owned and Operated a Caribbean Freighter
For more than two years Michael gained first-hand knowledge of shipping operations when he managed a bulk freighter in the colorful and wild Caribbean trade, island-hopping with cargos such as cement, sugar and other commodities.
2020
Affiliated with a large international law firm
Michael became Of Counsel to Aliant Law, an international law firm with offices in 25 countries around the world and more than 30 practice areas, thereby expanding his global network and capabilities. He’s an active member of the firm’s Corporate Practice Group comprised of world-class business attorneys in the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia.
Worldwide Network, Local Excellence
Aliant is a global network comprised of elite firms and attorneys from around the globe that seamlessly work together. With offices in 25 countries spanning four continents, Aliant combines cross-border transactional and litigation expertise with knowledge of local law, customs and connections to provide clients with world-class legal advice. Michael Bono has been a proud member of Aliant since 2020, serves as Of Counsel to the firm and is a member of the firm’s Corporate Practice Group.
The Americas
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Costa Rica
- Panama
- United States
Asia
- China
- Israel
- Lebanon
- Singapore
Africa
- Nigeria
Europe
- Austria
- Bulgaria
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Finland
- Germany
- Hungary
- Italy
- Lithuania
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Spain
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
