THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 11, 1994 TAG: 9410110266
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: D01 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY CHRISTOPHER DINSMORE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 50 lines
Norfolk's largest maritime law firm has opened a London office to retain an edge over a growing number of law firms trying to cut in on its maritime-related business.
Vandeventer Black Meredith & Martin has leased office space in the Lloyd's of London tower. It also has affiliated with an English attorney to handle business there, said John M. Ryan, a partner with the firm.
``We've been going to London for years,'' Ryan said. ``Most of our clients are in London.''
Vandeventer Black represents many London-based protection and indemnification syndicates in Hampton Roads, the Chesapeake Bay region and North Carolina, Ryan said.
These mutual insurance associations are groups of ship owners that band together to share losses stemming from accidents, including sinkings and oil spills. The syndicates retain law firms around the world to handle the local legal aspects of nearby accidents.
``We're concerned about maintaining our maritime practice here and better communicating with our clients there,'' said Morton H. Clark, another Vandeventer Black partner.
``We decided we'd cut down on the 5-hour delay on getting things done,'' Ryan added.
The London office should help the firm stave off competition from other Virginia law firms, both prominent and small, that are trying to expand in the maritimebusiness.
``There's a heightened level of competition these days,'' Ryan said. ``People aren't as loyal as they used to be. If somebody can do something cheaper and quicker, they're likely to change firms.''
Vandeventer Black, nearly 120-years-old, long specialized in maritime law, but diversified in recent decades. As recently as the 1960s, about 75 percent of its work was maritime related, Clark said. Now about 25 percent of its work is in maritime law, also known as admiralty law.
The firm now represents banks, shipyards and other defense contractors throughout the region, Ryan said. Vandeventer Black has about 45 attorneys and also has an office in Kill Devil Hills, N.C.
Vandeventer Black will share its London office with the New Orleans maritime law firm Rice Fowler, Clark said. Nine attorneys associated with the firm are flying to London for Wednesday's dedication of the new office. by CNB