- Business DisputesFrank A. Atcheson, a U.S. Merchant Marine Academy graduate, sailed as a deck officer and later worked in the insurance department of a major steamship line. He was also a port captain and was responsible for vessel and container operations. Mr. Atcheson graduated from St. John’s University School of Law and is admitted to the courts in New York, New Jersey, and the United States Court of International Trade. He has represented shipowners and lenders in ship finance transactions. His ship finance experience includes: drafting loan and mortgage documentation; forming vessel owning companies and preparing corporate documentation in connection with vessel acquisition and finance transactions; and registering ships under U.S. and foreign flags. Mr. Atcheson has advised vessel owners regarding regulations issued by government agencies and negotiated fines and penalties, and represented creditors in bankruptcy proceedings. He also has experience in cases involving bulk oil transportation and refinery disputes, shipbuilding disputes, general average, collisions, fires, marine insurance and charter disputes. Mr. Atcheson is former chairman of the Admiralty and Maritime Committee, Commercial and Federal Litigation Section, New York State Bar Association and a former member of the section’s Executive Committee. He is a current member of the Admiralty Law Committee of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York. Mr. Atcheson is an Adjunct Professor of Business Law and Information Security Law at
- Business TransactionsThis time-tested approach remains as it was when the firm began, except that the firm’s partners have even greater experience and the firm’s practice has broadened into real estate, commercial transactions and general business advice. When clients contact Clark, Atcheson & Reisert, they receive individual attention and legal advice from seasoned practitioners whose experience and knowledge in their given field is unsurpassed.
- Personal InjuryRichard J. Reisert graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy and Pace University School of Law. After sailing as a deck officer, he worked as a marine surveyor and as the claims manager for a leading ship operator. In that capacity he was responsible for hull, cargo, P & I and other claims involving the company’s large owned and chartered fleet, and also administered the company’s marine insurance programs. Rich is very experienced in the courtroom and has directed every aspect of shipping litigation from the investigatory, discovery and motion phases through to trials and appeals. He has represented shipowners, charterers, cargo interests, terminal operators and underwriters in disputes arising out of groundings, sinkings, collisions, oil pollution, salvage, cargo damage and personal injury, and has directed complex litigation involving defective propulsion systems and shipboard fires and explosions. He led the Republic of Moçambique’s investigation into the M/T KATINA P oil spill off the coast of East Africa and headed the country’s legal team in connection with related international litigation.