Mr. Robert Blackwell, a founding partner of the firm,
specializes in the representation of foreign and U.S. companies involved in shipping and
passenger vessels, terminal operations, stevedoring, towage, dredging and vessel
construction and reconstruction. Mr. Blackwell provides legal and political advice to
clients on issues before federal transportation agencies, state and federal courts, the
Executive branch and the Congress. Mr. Blackwell is best known for his success in helping
clients with shipbuilding and ship conversion activities, government guarantees for vessel
financing and providing advice on legislative initiatives.
Professional Background
After serving in the U.S. Navy, Mr. Blackwell graduated from
Harvard Law School. He was the Assistant Secretary for Maritime Affairs, Department of
Commerce, from 1972 to 1979 and was the chief policymaker and spokesman for the U.S.
government on maritime issues. Mr. Blackwell is the only U.S. Maritime Administrator to
serve under three different Presidents and during this distinguished service the U.S. had
the largest peacetime commercial shipbuilding program in its history.
Before joining Sher & Blackwell in 1991, Mr. Blackwell
served as a partner in two other law firms engaged in transportation and maritime practice
and in a variety of positions at the Federal Maritime Board, the Maritime Administration
and the Department of Transportation.
Professional
Affiliations/Associations
Admitted to practice in New York and the District of
Columbia.
Admitted to the U.S. District Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District
of Columbia.
Member, Maritime Administrative Bar Association.
Education
Harvard Law School
Syracuse University, with honors
