About
Maritime Experience. Practical Guidance. Trusted Counsel.
- Over 35 yrs maritime law experience
- Skilled representation of clients in both state and federal courts
- Extensive practice across both medium and large law firms
About Pacific Admiralty & Maritime Law
Jess G. Webster founded Pacific Admiralty & Maritime Law to provide specialized maritime consulting services grounded in over 35 years of legal experience and a practical understanding of the maritime industry.
As a maritime lawyer who has worked at medium and large law firms, Jess brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to complex maritime matters, helping vessel owners, operators, insurers, maritime businesses, and other industry professionals better understand legal risks, evaluate their options, and make informed decisions.
I am committed to helping our clients succeed in their endeavors, whether in the pursuit of successful and rewarding business transactions or the efficient resolution of their business disputes. I truly enjoy the practice of law and my clients benefit from my depth of experience, specialized knowledge, commitment to integrity, and dedication.
- Jess G. Webster
Maritime Counsel for Individuals, Businesses, & Law Firms
Every maritime matter presents its own challenges. Whether you’re seeking focused legal guidance, an independent second opinion, ongoing counsel, or support for a specific project, Pacific Admiralty & Maritime Law provides tailored insight designed around your needs and objectives.
Hourly Counsel
Providing experienced maritime legal counsel on an hourly basis for vessel owners, operators, shipyards, maritime businesses, and individuals who need focused legal guidance.
Fixed Fee Engagments
Offering experienced maritime legal services through fixed-fee engagements, providing clients with clear, predictable costs for defined legal matters and projects.
Retainer-Based Counsel
Providing ongoing maritime legal counsel through retainer arrangements, giving clients reliable access to experienced legal guidance as issues arise.
Project-Based Counsel
Providing focused maritime legal services on a project basis, tailored to specific matters, transactions, or legal needs with defined scope and objectives.
Broad Experience Across Maritime Industries
Mr. Webster has served as a martiime attorney in boutique, maritime, and large office settings providing a broad array of services to maritime businesses including:
- Marine Transportation Companies
- Tug & Tow Operators
- Shippers & Vessel Owners
- Marine Terminal Operators
- Ports
- Shipyards & Boatyards
- Yacht Manufacturers
- Freight Forwarders
- Seafood Harvestors & Processors
- Marine Lenders
Frequently Asked Questions
Count on Pacific Admiralty & Maritime Law for Experienced Maritime Counsel
Jess is a member of the Alaska, Washington, and Oregon bars, and has regularly appeared in legal actions in state and federal courts of the west coast and in the federal courts elsewhere throughout the U.S. with the assistance of local counsel.
PAML is available to help on most any type of maritime contracts and maritime business transactions, including entity formation, entity governance, financing transactions, master services agreements, charters, contracts of affreightment, maritime employment contracts, terminal leases, terminal operating agreements, submerged lands leases, acquisitions and sales of assets and businesses, vessel construction and repair agreements, vessel registration and documentation, and CCF agreements. Jess has also litigated all manners of maritime disputes in the federal courts of the west coast and elsewhere around the country, including legal actions for breach of charter, Rule B maritime attachment, Rule C maritime lien enforcement, Rule D petitory and possessory actions, asset forfeiture, prosecution and defense of maritime personal injury claims, and for enforcement of all manner maritime contracts.
Jess’ on-demand legal service is maritime focused legal advice and representation for individuals and entities on a retainer basis where clients can contact Jess for advice on emerging legal issues at any time with a phone call, videoconference, or email. Jess and PAML is available to serve other law firms as a consulting maritime counsel, co-counsel, and local counsel on transactions and in litigation.
There is no charge for the initial consultation in which I can advise as to your probable options but I cannot provide legal advice until I am retained and we establish an attorney client relationship.
In most cases I can provide assistance immediately and am used to moving quickly to address a client’s needs in both transactional and litigation matters. Unless a scheduling conflict exist PAML can prepare and file the pleadings needed to arrest or attach a vessel in 48 hours.
Absolutely! Assisting or taking the lead to arrest or attach vessels on short notice is a regular occurrence in maritime commerce and PAML has experience in effecting prompt vessel arrests and attachments in all federal courts on the west coast.
Fishing rights are private rights to participate in the commercial fisheries. Jess has practiced law throughout the development of state and federal fisheries restricted access management regimes in all jurisdictions of the west coast of the U.S. and is well versed in fishing rights transactions and enforcement of preferred mortgages and other maritime liens against fishing vessels and fishing rights.
Jess has a wealth of experience in preparation of maritime loan documentation and in the enforcement of preferred mortgages and maritime liens against marine assets in the federal courts of the U.S.
PAML has genuine depth of experience in the negotiation, drafting, and enforcement of yacht construction and repair contracts, and can assist with yacht purchase and sale transactions, crew and master employment agreements, NDAs, charter agreements, and other contracts commonly needed by yacht owners and charterers.
