Blank Rome LLP

International and Maritime Litigation and ADR Practice Group Leader

John Kimball is a member of our Maritime Emergency Response Team (MERT).

John Kimball concentrates his practice in the areas of admiralty and maritime law and commercial litigation.  He has more than 30 years’ experience both domestically and internationally and counsels clients regarding maritime matters, including:

• maritime casualties, including ship collisions, sinkings, groundings, explosions, and fires
• charterparty disputes
• insurance coverage disputes
• creditors’ rights
• bankruptcy and insolvency
• mass tort litigation
• maritime environmental law, including oil spills
• maritime salvage and general average cases
• maritime piracy cases
• general commercial litigation

Mr. Kimball is recognized in Chambers Global and Chambers USA as a leading lawyer in shipping litigation. Chambers has honored Mr. Kimball with a  'Star Individual' ranking which is only given to lawyers with exceptional recommendations in their field. Chambers USA notes he "is renowned for his prowess in marine insurance issues, and highlighted as 'an absolutely top choice for these matters - his knowledge and intellect are second to none.' Clients add that he 'has one of the sharpest minds in this industry,' and ‘he’s so good he can turn his hand to anything.’ " They also "laud him as 'a go-to person for anything of size and substance.' " According to market sources, Mr. Kimball is "clearly a leader" and "describe him as 'a top notch litigator.'"  Chambers Global calls him "talented, well prepared and methodical."  Commentators say "he really is excellent."  In 2006, he was awarded the Chambers Award for Excellence in Shipping Litigation in the United States. 

He is also recognized in Who's Who Legal and by the Legal Media Group as being among the leading lawyers worldwide in shipping and maritime Law.  Mr. Kimball has received the highest possible rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

Mr. Kimball is a prolific writer and speaker both domestically and internationally on legal issues facing the maritime industry.  He presented the 2005 Donald O’May Lecture on Maritime Law at the University of Southampton, England.  He has co-authored three books, including, Time Charters (6th ed. 2008), Voyage Charters (3d ed. 2007), and Benedict on Admiralty, Vol. 3A:  The Law of Salvage (2009 revision).  Mr. Kimball is the editor of The Healy Lectures (2005).  He also authored a chapter on American law in Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims (4th ed. 2005).  Recently, Mr. Kimball's article, "Raise High the Silver Oar! Teaching Admiralty Law," was published in 55 St. Louis University Law Journal 657 (2011).

Mr. Kimball is an adjunct professor at New York University Law School, where he teaches courses in Admiralty law and oil pollution within the marine environment.

COMMUNITY SERVICE & AFFILIATIONS

Mr. Kimball holds leadership positions in maritime industry publication and organizations, including the Board of Editors for the Journal of Maritime Law & Commerce.  He is a titulary member of the Comite Maritime International and is a former member of the Board of Directors for the Maritime Law Association of the United States.