Robert J. Zapf practices in the area of litigation with a concentration in insurance coverage matters, commercial, and admiralty and maritime litigation.

Mr. Zapf is admitted to practice in California, New York and New Jersey and is a member of the Litigation and International Law Sections of the American Bar Association, a member of the American Law Institute, and a member of The Maritime Law Association of the United States. He is a 1975 graduate of Boston College Law School and a magna cum laude graduate of Boston College.

Admissions

• New York
• New Jersey
• California
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
• U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
• U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York
• U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
• U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York
• U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
• U.S. Court of International Trade
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

Education

• Boston College Law School, J.D., 1975
• Boston College, B.A., magna cum laude, 1972

Other Experience

• Duane Morris LLP
  - Special Counsel, 2005-present
• Coudert Brothers LLP
  - Partner, 2000-2005
• Hancock Rothert & Bunshoft LLP
  - Partner, 1997-2000
• Lane Powell Spears Lubersky LLP
  - Partner, 1996-1997
• Burlingham Underwood LLP
  - Partner, 1981-1996
  - Associate, 1975-1981

Professional Activities

• American Bar Association
  - Litigation Section
  - International Law Section
• The Maritime Law Association of the United States
  - Chair, Practice and Procedure Committee, 1995-2000
  - Member, Board of Directors, 2000-2004
• American Law Institute
• U.S. Delegation to the Diplomatic Conference to Consider and Adopt the "International Convention on the Arrest of Ships, 1999," Geneva, Switzerland, 1999
• The Maritime Law Association of the United States Delegate to The Comité Maritime International Centenary Meeting, Antwerp, June 1997
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York Committee on Civil Litigation/Advisory Group, 1995 - 1996.
• Joint Task Force on Southern and Eastern District of New York Civil Rules Revision, 1995 - 1996.

Honors / Awards

• Listed in Southern California Super Lawyers, 2013
• Listed in Best Lawyers in America, 2006-2012
• Advisor to the United U.S. Delegation to the Diplomatic Conference to Consider and Adopt the "International Convention on the Arrest of Ships, 1999" Geneva, Switzerland, 1999
• Commendation, United States Coast Guard, 1999
• AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell

Publications

• Managing Editor, Benedict's Maritime Bulletin, 2013-present
• Co-author, Moore's Federal Practice, Vol. 29, Admiralty Practice,
  1996 - present
• Co-author, Benedict's Maritime Bulletin, October, 2002 - present
• "The Growth of the Pennsylvania Rule: A Study in Causation in Maritime Law" 7 Journal of Maritime Law and Commerce 521, 1976
• "Actions In Rem and In Personam: Liens of Charterer, Owner and Shipper," Lloyd's of London Press Seminar, New York, New York 1983
• "Arrest Procedures in Connection With Claims for Supply of Necessaries and Disputes Over Title to Cargo," American Petroleum Credit Association Trade Meeting, Tarpon Springs, FL 1985
• "The Decision to Arbitrate or Litigate: What to Consider - How to Implement It," Baltic & International Maritime Council Lecture Series "Towards Better Decisions", Sao Paulo, Brazil, April, 1995
• "Arrest and Attachment - An Overview," Lorman Business Center, Inc. Lecture Series, Long Beach, CA, February 5, 1998
• "In Rem Procedures: A Sea Change Underway - Recent and Proposed Changes to the Admiralty Rules," University of San Francisco Maritime Law Journal, Vol. 15, No. 1, p. 77, 2002-03
• "Proposed Rule G: An Amendment to the Supplemental Rules," Benedict's Maritime Bulletin, Vol. 2, No. 4, p. 337, Fourth Quarter 2004
• "Appurtenances - What Are They And Are Fishing Permits Among Them," Tulane Admiralty Law Institute, New Orleans, Louisiana, March 16, 2005

Speaking Engagements

• Speaker, University of Southern California Law School, "International Business Transactions - FOB/CIF Contracts of Sale and Bills of Lading," September 8, 2003
• Panelist, Tulane Admiralty Law Institute, "Maritime Rights in Proceedings Against Property: Ships; Cargo; In Personam and In Rem Rights and Liabilities; Limitation of Liability and Vessel Financing and Liens," New Orleans, Louisiana, March 16, 2005
• Speaker, Lorman Business Conference Seminar on the "Arrest of Ships," Long Beach California, February 2, 1998
• Speaker, Baltic & International Maritime Council Lecture Series "Towards Better Decisions," Sao Paulo, Brazil, April, 1995
• Speaker, American Petroleum Credit Association Trade Meeting, Tarpon Springs, FL 1985.
• Lloyd's of London Press Seminar, New York, New York 1983
• Mediator, Los Angeles County Superior Court Attorney Settlement Panel and United States District Court for the Central District of California Attorney Settlement Panel, 2002 - present