Warren J. Marwedel

Warren was born in Chicago, Illinois. He is a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, and received his law degree from Loyola University of Chicago. Admitted to practice before Illinois State Courts and U.S. Federal Courts; including the U.S. Supreme Court, Court of Appeals for the Second, Sixth, Seventh, Eight and Eleventh Circuits and District Courts in several states. He also maintains an active U.S. Coast Guard master’s license.

Sisson v. Ruby, 497 U.S. 358 (1990).  Mr. Marwedel personally appeared and argued this appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court on the issue of maritime jurisdiction over a fire originating from a docked recreational vessel.  The Supreme Court reversed the Seventh Circuit, and ruled there was maritime jurisdiction, and clarified the standards for determining maritime jurisdiction in general.

In re Oil Spill by The Amoco Cadiz, 954 F.2d 1279 (7^th Cir. 1992).  This decision was the culmination of Mr. Marwedel’s representation of the French government and various French communes in litigation against Amoco International Oil Company for claims resulting from the 1978 grounding of the oil tanker AMOCO CADIZ, which spilled 220,000 tons of crude oil, fouling the Brittany coast of France in 1978, the world’s largest vessel oil spill.  The district court proceedings lasted over eight years, with the France and the French communes being awarded damages of nearly 600 million French francs, of which 340 million was principal and the balance was for prejudgment interest, affirmed by the Seventh Circuit.

Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. v. Calhoun, 519 U.S. 199 (1996).  Prepared and filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court for the Maritime Law Association on issue of maritime tort remedies for pleasure craft.

Jerome B. Grubart, Inc. v. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co., 513 U.S. 527 (1995), prepared and filed an amicus brief in U.S. Supreme Court regarding maritime jurisdiction over the Chicago tunnel flood litigation.

Dead Sea Pericles v. American Commercial Barge Line Co., 2003 A.M.C 370 (N.D. Ind. 2002).  Represented American Commercial Barge Line in relation to its liability as a carrier, and its losses as a barge owner, of nine, fully loaded barges which sank in Burns Harbor, Indiana, during a major storm on Lake Michigan.  The court granted summary judgment in favor of ACBL against shipper of bulk commodities, holding that under the Harter Act, ACBL had completed its obligation of delivery under a contract of affreightment by making delivery to the marine terminal designated in the contract prior to the storm.  ACBL’s claims against the marine terminal for the salvage expenses incurred in raising the barges, and for the hull losses, were settled in full, plus prejudgment interest, for $1,700,000 just prior to trial.

Spirit of Excellence v. Intercargo Ins. Co., 777 N.E.2d 660 (Ill. App. 2002).  Summary judgment in favor of marine insurer client upheld on appeal, where trial court held that exporter of multiple shipments of used cars to Russia had no insurable interest in the cargo at the time of loss.

Motorola v. Kuehne & Nagle, Inc., 171 F.Supp. 799 (N.D. Ill. 2001). Court granted partial summary judgment in favor of freight forwarder client, holding that the Warsaw Convention’s limitation of liability should be calculated based on the weight of the affected portion of the shipment, not on the entire shipment, unless the shipper can show that the value of the whole was damaged by the damage to the part.

Willis v. Transamerica Leasing, et al., Circuit Court of Cook County, Il., No. 98 L 3127 (1994-1999).  Represented Transamerica Leasing in a multiple fatality accident involving a container chassis, in which six children tragically perished in a vehicle fire.  The case was a major news event in Chicago, and ultimately was a catalyst for the investigation of the improper issuance of Commercial Driver’s Licenses in Illinois, and for change in the motor carrier safety regulations pertaining to the roadworthiness of intermodal equipment.

In re Cleveland Tankers sub nom, American Steamship Company of America v. Cleveland Tankers, 67 F.3rd 1200 (6th Cir. 1996). Catastrophic explosion and death case involving a tanker on the Great Lakes and environmental issues.

Yasuda Fire and Marine v. Japan Intermodal, et al. , 1995 A.M.C. 2737 (N.D.Ill. 1995).  Represented plaintiff in action against carriers. Successfully defeated application of Himalaya clause to benefit of Intermodal Rail Carrier’s subcontractor.

Independent Machinery v. Kuehne & Nagle, Inc., 867 F. Supp. 752 (N.D. Ill. 1994). Court granted summary judgment in favor of freight forwarder client, holding that its terms and conditions of service, proven through a course of dealings, established that the forwarder did not assume the obligations of a common carrier, and had no liability for physical damage to the cargo.

Rodi Yachts, Inc. v. National Marine, Inc., 984 F.2d 880 (7th Cir. 1993).  Involved duties of a warehouseman.

“Dagger, Shield, or Double-edged Sword?: The Reciprocal Nature of the Doctrine of Uberrimae Fidei”, Tulane Law Review, Vol. 83, Nos. 5 & 6 (2009)(with Stephanie Espinoza)

“Ballast Water, a Plea for Uniform Federal Regulation (Fednav Ltd. v. Chester)”, paper presented, Borden Ladner Gervais Annual Legal Seminar, Montreal, Canada, December, 2007.

“Maritime Procedure: An Overview and A Caution Regarding Privilege Waiver”, Tulane Law Review, Vol. 79, Nos. 5 & 6 (2005)(with Mark O. Kasanin and Mark K. de Langis)

“Arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court”, paper presented, Fall Meeting of the Maritime Law Association (1997)

“Admiralty Jurisdiction and Recreational Craft Personal Injury Issues”, Tulane Law Review, Vol. 68, Nos. 2 & 3 (1994)

“Admiralty Jurisdiction and the Great Lakes”, The University of Toledo Law Review, Vol. 24, No. 2 (1993)(with Shari Friedman)

Editor, Recreation Craft: Jurisdiction, Claims and Coverage, American Bar Association (1990)

“Pleasure Boating Liability” (with Robert L. Reeb), paper presented, Chicago Bar Association (1987)

Recipient of Department of Homeland Security, United States Coast Guard Meritorious Public Service Award, May 4, 2010