Hal Watson Appointed President of the Maritime Law Association of the United States

Harold “Hal” Watson, a partner in Chaffe McCall, L.L.P.’s Houston office, ascended to the position of President of the Maritime Law Association of the United States. An active member of the organization since 1978, Watson served as its First and Second Vice President and Secretary before being elected President. It is a great honor to be elected president of such a prestigious association,” said Watson. “I am proud to be a member of the Maritime Law Association and look forward to continue serving the association in the coming years.”

Hal Watson Partner (713) 546-9800 watson@chaffe.com

Founded in 1899, the Maritime Law Association is a professional organization formed to advance reforms and promote uniformity in maritime law. Its membership consists of lawyers involved in maritime matters, judges active in matters involving admiralty issues, admiralty law professors, and non-lawyers, who are selected because they hold responsible positions in the maritime field and have rendered distinguished service in the advancement of maritime law or its administration.

“Hal is a respected leader in his practice and we are proud of his accomplishments – both as a lawyer effectively serving clients’ needs and as a leader in such a prestigious professional association. This election is quite an honor for Hal, and it is a recognition by his peers of his talent and accomplishments,” said Howell Crosby Managing Partner of Chaffe McCall.

Watson has over 30 years’ experience in maritime and energy law, with particular emphasis on insurance law. He represents domestic and foreign insurers, oil and gas operators and contractors, ship-owners, charterers, and others in maritime, energy, construction, and coverage matters throughout the United States and abroad. Watson is a frequent lecturer, serves on the planning committees for the Tulane Admiralty Law Institute, and is a member of the Association of Average Adjusters of the United States. He formerly served as chairman of the Energy and Maritime Law Committee of the International Association of Defense Counsel and as a director of the Episcopal Foundation of Texas. Watson is lauded by his peers in the legal community. The Texas Lawyer named him as one of the five “go to” maritime lawyers in Texas, and has been named one of the three-dozen Super Lawyers in the field of insurance coverage in Texas. He is also regularly included in The Best Lawyers in America in maritime law.

Watson received his Bachelor of Arts from Louisiana State University in 1971. He graduated third in his class with a Juris Doctorate from Louisiana State University Law Center in 1974 and earned a Master of Laws from Yale Law School in 1977. He is admitted to practice in Louisiana, Texas, the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Third, Fifth, Tenth, and Eleventh Circuits, and the United States Supreme Court.

 

About Chaffe McCall

At Chaffe McCall we work with clients regionally, nationally, and internationally to address the challenges they face in the areas of admiralty, commercial litigation, health care, labor and employment, real estate, and tax. Our attorneys are devoted to understanding our clients’ business needs and are known for successfully providing clients with practical legal guidance consistent with their interests and goals. Our mission is to provide the highest quality of legal services in a timely and cost-effective manner. Founded in 1826, Chaffe McCall LLP is Louisiana’s oldest full-service law firm, centrally located in downtown New Orleans with additional offices in Houston, Baton Rouge, and Lake Charles. The firm can be found online at www.chaffe.com.

 

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