Executive Overview: A Calculated Move into the Northeast Corridor
In a strategic move that significantly reshapes the landscape of East Coast maritime law, Gulf Coast-headquartered powerhouse Liskow has officially announced its expansion into New England. The expansion is anchored by the establishment of a new office in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and the addition of three highly regarded maritime attorneys: Samuel P. Blatchley, Patrick J. O’Connor, and Michael J. Pluhowski.
This geographic and operational expansion represents a deliberate effort to capture a dominant share of the Northeast’s maritime, commercial fishing, and emerging offshore energy sectors. By establishing a physical footprint in New Bedford—historically and currently the nation’s highest-grossing commercial fishing port—Liskow positions itself at the critical intersection of traditional maritime commerce, complex fisheries litigation, and federal regulatory oversight.
The expansion comes at a time of unprecedented activity and legal complexity in the maritime sector. With supply chain vulnerabilities exposed by high-profile maritime disasters, escalating regulatory scrutiny from agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the rapid development of offshore wind infrastructure along the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf, the demand for specialized, battle-tested maritime counsel has never been higher.
By integrating the unique expertise of Blatchley, O’Connor, and Pluhowski—two of whom hold active U.S. Merchant Mariner Credentials—Liskow not only bolsters its 24/7 emergency casualty response capabilities but also secures a dominant position in the highly specialized field of commercial fisheries law.
Detailed Chronology: Establishing the New England Beachhead
[Oct 1, 2026: Liskow officially launches New Bedford office & integrates three lateral partners]
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├──► Samuel P. Blatchley (Brings premier fisheries litigation & regulatory practice)
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├──► Patrick J. O’Connor (Dual-licensed NY/MA; holds Merchant Mariner Credential)
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└──► Michael J. Pluhowski (Dual-licensed NY/MA; holds Merchant Mariner Credential)The New Bedford Expansion
On October 1, 2026, Liskow formally announced the opening of its New Bedford, Massachusetts office. This move marks the firm’s first physical office in New England, representing a logical northward progression from its existing office in New York City. The synchronized operations of the New York and New Bedford offices create a continuous, highly responsive legal corridor covering the entire Northeast coastline, from the Mid-Atlantic bight to the Gulf of Maine.
Profile of the New Legal Talent: Merging Classroom and Cockpit
The cornerstone of this expansion is the lateral acquisition of three attorneys who bring a rare combination of courtroom advocacy, regulatory acumen, and practical seafaring experience:
- Samuel P. Blatchley: A veteran maritime litigator, Blatchley has built a nationally recognized practice focused on fisheries litigation, maritime regulatory compliance, and commercial dispute resolution. His deep ties to the New England maritime community and his track record of defending vessel owners, seafood processors, and shoreside businesses against federal enforcement actions make him a pivotal asset for Liskow’s expansion.
- Patrick J. O’Connor: Licensed in both New York and Massachusetts, O’Connor specializes in maritime casualty investigation, insurance disputes, and commercial litigation. Crucially, O’Connor holds a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) issued by the U.S. Coast Guard, providing him with firsthand operational knowledge of vessel systems, navigation, and shipboard hierarchy.
- Michael J. Pluhowski: Also dual-licensed in New York and Massachusetts, Pluhowski focuses his practice on marine casualty response, Jones Act personal injury defense, and regulatory compliance. Like O’Connor, Pluhowski possesses a Merchant Mariner Credential. His background as a working mariner allows him to analyze complex marine casualties through the lens of practical seamanship, bridging the gap between abstract legal theory and the realities of shipboard operations.
Supporting Context & Metrics: The Economic and Legal Landscape
New Bedford: The Crown Jewel of American Commercial Fishing
Liskow’s decision to locate its New England headquarters in New Bedford is highly strategic. According to annual data compiled by NOAA Fisheries, New Bedford has retained its title as the nation’s highest-grossing commercial fishing port for 23 consecutive years.
| Metric / Attribute | New Bedford Port Statistics & Context |
|---|---|
| Consecutive Years as Top U.S. Port | 23 Years (according to NOAA Fisheries) |
| Primary Economic Driver | Sea Scallops (Placopecten magellanicus) |
| Key Regulatory Frameworks | Magnuson-Stevens Act, Northeast Multispecies FMP |
| Emerging Industrial Sector | Offshore Wind Logistics & Support Vessels (Jones Act compliant) |
The port’s economic dominance is driven primarily by the lucrative sea scallop fishery, which demands sophisticated legal counsel to navigate complex federal quota systems, vessel monitoring system (VMS) requirements, and strict environmental mandates.
Furthermore, New Bedford has transformed into the primary logistics and staging hub for the U.S. offshore wind industry, creating an influx of international maritime commerce, specialized vessel charters, and novel jurisdictional questions under the Jones Act (Merchant Marine Act of 1920).
Liskow’s History of High-Stakes Casualty Response
The addition of the New Bedford office strengthens Liskow’s Maritime Practice Group, which is widely regarded as one of the premier casualty response teams in the world. The firm’s attorneys are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, deploying to the scenes of major marine disasters to manage federal investigations, preserve evidence, and mitigate liability.
Liskow’s resume includes representation in some of the most ecologically and economically significant maritime disasters in U.S. history:
- Deepwater Horizon (2010): Handled complex multi-district litigation (MDL) and regulatory fallout from the Gulf of Mexico blowout.
- Golden Ray Capsizing (2019): Advised on liability, salvage, and environmental claims stemming from the capsizing of the roll-on/roll-off car carrier in St. Simons Sound, Georgia.
- Seacor Power Sinking (2021): Managed the sensitive investigation and subsequent litigation arising from the tragic capsizing of a liftboat in the Gulf of Mexico.
The M/V Dali Landmark Settlement
Most recently, Liskow solidified its reputation by serving as lead maritime counsel for the State of Maryland following the catastrophic March 2024 allision of the container ship M/V Dali with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
The firm’s strategic management of the limitation of liability proceedings and subsequent state-level property damage claims culminated in the largest single maritime property damage settlement in United States history. This landmark resolution underscored Liskow’s ability to navigate massive, multi-jurisdictional disputes involving sovereign entities, international shipowners, P&I clubs, and federal agencies.
Strategic Alignment and Operational Synergy
[Liskow Northeast Maritime Corridor]
├── New York Office (Corporate Finance, International Shipping, Mid-Atlantic Casualty)
└── New Bedford Office (Fisheries Litigation, Port Infrastructure, New England Casualty)
└── Combined: Seamless 24/7 Emergency & Regulatory Coverage (Maine to Virginia)The integration of the three new attorneys provides a direct bridge between Liskow’s traditional Gulf Coast stronghold and the highly specialized maritime economy of the Northeast.
Seamless Integration with the New York Office
The dual licensure of O’Connor and Pluhowski in both New York and Massachusetts is key to the firm’s regional strategy. Rather than operating in geographic silos, the New York and New Bedford offices will function as a unified Northeast Maritime Unit. This allows Liskow to rapidly deploy casualty response teams anywhere from the Canadian border down to the Virginia Capes, providing seamless representation for vessel owners, underwriters, and marine terminals.
The Practical Advantage of Merchant Mariner Credentials
In maritime litigation, the first 48 hours following a casualty are critical. Having attorneys like O’Connor and Pluhowski, who hold Merchant Mariner Credentials, offers an invaluable advantage:
- Immediate Technical Comprehension: They can read ship blueprints, interpret electronic chart display and information systems (ECDIS) data, analyze engine room alarm logs, and understand vessel stability calculations without requiring immediate assistance from external marine surveyors.
- Credibility with Crews and Regulators: During post-casualty interviews, mariners are often defensive. Attorneys who speak the language of the sea can establish rapport quickly, leading to more accurate fact-gathering. Similarly, they can engage peer-to-peer with U.S. Coast Guard investigators and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) officials.
- Effective Courtroom Translation: They possess the rare ability to translate complex nautical concepts, vessel operations, and the "rules of the road" (COLREGS) into clear, persuasive arguments for federal judges and juries who may have no maritime background.
Future Outlook: Navigating the Evolving Waters of Northeast Maritime Law
As Liskow establishes its physical presence in New England, the firm enters a market defined by rapid regulatory evolution and intensifying competition for ocean space.
Offshore Wind and Commercial Fishing: A Collision of Interests
The waters off New England are the primary battleground for the co-existence of commercial fishing and utility-scale offshore wind energy. Commercial fishermen face displacement from traditional fishing grounds, navigation hazards posed by turbine arrays, and potential impacts on marine habitats.
Liskow’s New Bedford office is uniquely positioned to represent commercial fishing interests, vessel owners, and seafood associations in negotiations, environmental impact litigation, and administrative challenges under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA).
Regulatory Pressures and Environmental Mandates
The commercial fishing industry is facing unprecedented regulatory pressure. From strict North Atlantic right whale protection measures—which restrict vessel speeds and dictate lobster gear configurations—to mandatory electronic monitoring and changing quota allocations, vessel operators require sophisticated administrative law counsel.
The addition of Samuel P. Blatchley’s premier fisheries litigation practice gives Liskow the specialized capability to challenge arbitrary federal rulemaking and defend clients in NOAA Office of General Counsel enforcement proceedings.
Conclusion
Liskow’s expansion into New England represents far more than a simple geographic enlargement. By planting its flag in New Bedford and acquiring top-tier lateral talent with deep regional roots and practical seafaring credentials, Liskow has constructed a formidable maritime practice capable of handling the most complex, high-stakes maritime matters on the East Coast.
Whether responding to a catastrophic collision in the shipping lanes, defending a multi-million dollar fisheries enforcement action, or negotiating complex vessel charters for offshore wind development, Liskow’s expanded team stands ready to navigate the increasingly turbulent waters of modern maritime law.
