William M. Fennell has been practicing law for over twenty years and focuses on maritime, transportation, and insurance disputes. William predominantly advises insurers on complex claims and coverage disputes under marine cargo, hull, and protection and indemnity policies, inland and motor truck policies, and logistic providers policies, and pursues subrogated recoveries on their behalf. Beyond insurers, he routinely defends vessel interests in limitation of liability actions and represents cargo interests in contract disputes. He has litigated cases in both federal and state courts, and in alternative maritime forums such as the Society of Maritime Arbitrators. His experience also includes counseling salvors and freight forwarders in non-litigation negotiations.
Before joining the firm, William attended the State University of New York at Albany, where he graduated summa cum laude. He was inducted into the oldest and most prestigious academic honor society, Phi Beta Kappa. He also studied European law and politics in Scotland, where he lived for a period of time. He returned to New York to work in the legal department of one of the largest multinational insurance companies. He subsequently attended George Washington University National Law Center, where he graduated magna cum laude. While in law school, he served as Managing Editor on The George Washington International Law Review and a Director on the Moot Court Board. He was awarded the Judge Albert H. Grenadier Award and was inducted into the historic honor society, the Order of Coif. Before entering private practice, William clerked for the District of Columbia Court of Appeals.
His recent lectures include Cargo Claims Handling And Recovery Under The Laws Of The United States to an international gathering of transportation professionals, The Elements of Salvage to a domestic recreational vessel insurer, Current Issues With Additional Insureds Under Marine & Transportation Policies, and The Subrogation Attorney’s Role In Early Claim Counseling to an international underwriter. He moderated a panel discussion on the Comité Maritime International Guidelines on General Average.
William is currently serving as the Chair of the Marine Insurance & General Average Committee for the Maritime Law Association of the United States. He routinely contributes to the newsletter for the Committee.
