Blank Rome expands maritime and energy practices

AUGUST 2, 2013—Blank Rome LLP, which has the largest maritime practice in the U.S., will grow its presence in Houston with the addition of  all eight attorneys of Bell, Ryniker & Letourneau, P.C., a leading Houston, Texas maritime law firm.  These additions further enhance Blank Rome’s Houston presence and its maritime and energy practices, while expanding the depth and scope of services that Bell, Ryniker & Letourneau provides to its clients.

At top, attorney Michael K. Bell
 
This group of attorneys and additional professional staff bring significant experience in maritime and energy law, in addition to the areas of insurance, transportation, government contracts and construction.  Michael K. Bell, Keith B. Letourneau, and Douglas J. Shoemaker join as partners; Robert J. Ryniker, and James C. Arnold join as of counsels; and Mitchell R. Machann, Tracy Freeman, and David G. Meyer join as associates.
 
“We are delighted to welcome Michael, Keith, Douglas and all of our new colleagues to our Houston office and to the Blank Rome team,” said Alan J. Hoffman, Co-Chairman and Managing Partner.  “We look forward to working with this talented and respected group of attorneys as we continue to expand in the Houston market and strengthen our well-established maritime and energy practices.”
 
With the addition of the Bell, Ryniker and Letourneau group, Blank Rome’s maritime practice is comprised of 40 highly regarded professionals based in New York, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Houston—a key market for the maritime and energy industries.
 
“Through our global practice, we aim to provide clients with excellence in all aspects of maritime and offshore capabilities.” said John D. Kimball, Partner and International and Maritime Litigation and ADR Practice Group Leader.  “The Bell, Ryniker & Letourneau team has long been recognized as one of the leading maritime law firms in Houston, and brings significant depth and capability to our maritime and energy practices.”

At right, John D. Kimball, Partner and International and Maritime Litigation and ADR Practice Group Leader
 
Jonathan K. Waldron, Partner and Maritime, International Trade and Public Contracts Practice Group Leader added, “We have been eager to expand the size and scope of our maritime practice to meet growing client demand for some time, and are thrilled that we have found an outstanding group of attorneys to enhance our ability to serve our clients, both regionally in the Gulf of Mexico and nationally.”
 
“We are excited to join Blank Rome and its notable maritime and energy practices as it expands in the Houston market,” said Michael K. Bell, Partner.  “Our established client base of domestic and international clients will undoubtedly benefit from the Firm’s geographic reach and breadth of practice areas.”
 
In 2011, Blank Rome combined with Abrams Scott & Bickley and officially opened its Houston office.  With the addition of the Bell, Ryniker & Letourneau team, 20 attorneys now serve clients from that office in a wide variety of civil, criminal, and administrative matters in state and federal courts, at both the trial and appellate levels.

At left, Jon K. Waldron, Partner, International Trade and Public Contracts Practice Group Leader
 
“We welcome the Bell, Ryniker & Letourneau team to our Houston office,” said Barry Abrams, Partner and Administrative Partner of Blank Rome’s Houston office.  “In addition to having decades of legal experience, our new colleagues  also recognize and value the importance of dedicating time to professional and civic endeavors, which makes them an excellent complement to both the Houston office and the entire Firm.”