Mark T. Coberly

Mark is part of a team of lawyers who concentrate on maritime and transportation law for international, national and local clients and insurers. His federal court trial experience includes major casualties such as collisions, pollution, cargo damage, and serious personal injuries; as well as transactional disputes including charter parties, ship repair contracts, tariffs and towing agreements. He also litigates maritime matters in state court including personal injury defense and commercial matters. Administrative law related to the marine industry such as Coast Guard, Customs, and NOAA/NMFS are also areas in which Mark specializes.

In addition to local clients, Mark represents domestic marine insurers, as well as the P & I Clubs in the International Group together with their domestic and foreign vessel operators.

Mark practices in federal and state court as well as before administrative law judges in proceedings of the United States Coast Guard, Customs, and National Marine Fisheries. He handles arbitrations before multiple tribunals. 

• Represented a bunker supplier in successfully opposing a petition for certiorari before the U.S. Supreme Court.
• Obtained a jury verdict in a dispute between the owner of a large custom yacht and the shipyard that performed design modifications.
• Representation of ship operators in Coast Guard proceedings related to yacht collisions. 
• Represented a client in an oil pollution matter. Succeeded in obtaining limitation of liability under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and sustained the ruling through appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
• Conducted and defended numerous vessel arrests and attachments in multiple East Coast ports and successfully prosecuted same through the federal appeals courts.
• Ongoing representation of vessel operators and terminals in defending personal injury claims in litigation in state and federal courts.

Recognition

Education

Washington and Lee University School of Law, J.D.

University of Virginia, B.A., with distinction

Albert-Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany (one year)

Admissions

Virginia

U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit

U.S. Court of International Trade

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia

U.S. District Court, Western District of Virginia

U.S. Supreme Court

Languages

• American Bar Association
• Hampton Roads Foreign Commerce Council
• Maritime Law Association of the United States, Board Member
• Propeller Club, Port of Hampton Roads
• Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute, Past Director