John H Hickey “Jack”
Verified
Practice area
Top-rated maritime lawyers
Maritime lawyers and law firms, ranked by location with the LexRank methodology.
33 lawyers5 law firms5 rankings33 with verified professional data
LexRanked tracks 33 lawyers and 5 law firms in maritime law. 33 of the lawyers have verified professional data. Data verified October 30, 2026.
LexRanked ranks 33 maritime lawyers in Florida in 3 cities; the largest city rankings are Miami (17 lawyers), Coral Gables (6 lawyers) and Tampa (6 lawyers). Every position follows the LexRank score, calculated only from facts with a cited source, such as each lawyer's Florida Bar profile; payment never changes a position.
Rankings
5 rankings, each ordering lawyers by the LexRank score; the statewide ranking, which compares every city, comes first.
Coral Gables
- Maritime · 6 lawyers
Miami
- Maritime · 17 lawyers
- Maritime - Spanish-speaking · 6 lawyers
Tampa
- Maritime · 6 lawyers
Market statistics
- Lawyers
- 33
- Law firms
- 5
- Verified professional data
- 33 of 33
- Average rating
- Withheldtoo few sourced ratings
- Median review count
- Withheldtoo few sourced counts
- Median experience
- 30 years33 lawyers
Calculated by LexRanked from its own records on ; data verified . Ratings and review counts count only when backed by a source; figures from fewer than three profiles are withheld.
By city
The highest-scoring lawyers on this page, grouped by city; each ranking above lists every lawyer.
Highest-scoring maritime lawyers
The 12 highest LexRank scores on this page; each profile shows the sources behind its facts.
88LexRank
88LexRank
88LexRank
84LexRank
84LexRank
84LexRank
84LexRank
84LexRank
84LexRank
84LexRank
84LexRank
Maritime law firms
63LexRank
58LexRank
58LexRank
56.3LexRank
55LexRank
What does a maritime lawyer do?
A maritime lawyer handles legal matters on navigable waters: injuries to seamen and passengers, boating accidents, cargo and vessel disputes, and claims against ship owners.
- Jones Act claims for injured seamen
- Cruise ship passenger injuries
- Boating accidents
- Cargo damage and charter disputes
- Vessel liens and arrests
- Limitation of liability cases
When do you need a maritime lawyer?
Contact a maritime lawyer soon after an injury at sea or a vessel accident, because federal deadlines apply and cruise tickets often set shorter ones.
- You were injured working on a vessel
- You were hurt on a cruise ship
- A boating accident caused injury or damage
- A vessel owner filed to limit liability
Who are the best maritime lawyers in Florida?
The statewide ranking lists the top 25 of the 33 maritime lawyers LexRanked tracks in Florida, in order of their LexRank score. See the best maritime lawyers in Florida.
Where can I find a maritime lawyer in Florida?
Maritime rankings cover 3 Florida cities; Miami has the most lawyers compared (17).
| City ranking | Lawyers compared |
|---|---|
| Top-ranked maritime lawyers in Miami | 17 |
| Top-ranked maritime lawyers in Coral Gables | 6 |
| Top-ranked maritime lawyers in Tampa | 6 |
How much does a maritime lawyer cost in Florida?
Maritime injury lawyers often work on contingency; commercial maritime disputes are usually billed by the hour. A contingent fee agreement must be in writing and state the percentage the lawyer receives (Rule 4-1.5(f)). Under The Florida Bar's rules, a lawyer who has not represented you before must explain the basis or rate of the fee and costs, preferably in writing, and no fee may be clearly excessive.
Florida maritime rules to know
Maritime injury claims are governed mostly by federal law: injured seamen can sue their employer under the Jones Act, and most maritime injury claims must be filed within 3 years.
| Rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| Injured seamen | A seaman injured on the job may sue the employer, with a jury trial, under the Jones Act (46 U.S.C. § 30104) |
| Injury and death claims | Within 3 years for personal injury or death from a maritime tort (46 U.S.C. § 30106) |
| Limiting a vessel owner's liability | The owner must file in federal court within 6 months after a claimant gives written notice of a claim (46 U.S.C. § 30529) |
| Florida boating accidents | The operator must file a written report for an injury, death, disappearance or at least $2,000 of damage (Fla. Stat. § 327.301) |
What does Board Certified in Admiralty and Maritime Law mean?
It is a credential from The Florida Bar for lawyers with substantial experience in the field who have passed peer review and a written exam. Florida Bar board certification requires at least five years of practice, substantial involvement in the field, peer review by other lawyers and judges, continuing legal education and a written exam, and it must be renewed every five years. About 4.9% of Florida lawyers hold a board certification in any field.
How to choose a maritime lawyer
Confirm the license in The Florida Bar's directory, then compare experience, certification and how often the lawyer handles cases like yours.
- Look up the lawyer in The Florida Bar's directory: the license must show as eligible to practice, and public discipline is listed there.
- Check for Board Certified in Admiralty and Maritime Law, which requires peer review and an exam.
- Ask for the fee agreement in writing before work starts.
- Ask: How many Jones Act or cruise cases have you handled?
- Ask: Which deadlines apply to my claim?
- Ask: Do you take cases to trial in federal court?
How LexRanked ranks maritime lawyers
By the LexRank score: experience, practice-area relevance, awards on record such as board certification, professional credentials, data quality and location, using only facts with a cited source. Client reviews do not affect the LexRank score: neither star ratings nor the number of reviews is scored. Data checked November 2026 against each lawyer's Florida Bar profile. Payment never changes a position. See how we rank.
Sources
- 46 U.S. Code § 30104 (Jones Act: personal injury to or death of seamen)
- 46 U.S. Code § 30106 (time limit for maritime torts)
- 46 U.S. Code § 30529 (limitation of liability action)
- Florida Statutes, section 327.301 (written reports of boating accidents)
- Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, Rule 4-1.5 (fees and costs for legal services)
- The Florida Bar: Find a Lawyer directory
Frequently asked questions
What does a maritime lawyer do?
A maritime lawyer handles legal matters on navigable waters: injuries to seamen and passengers, boating accidents, cargo and vessel disputes, and claims against ship owners.
How much does a maritime lawyer cost in Florida?
Maritime injury lawyers often work on contingency; commercial maritime disputes are usually billed by the hour. A contingent fee agreement must be in writing and state the percentage the lawyer receives (Rule 4-1.5(f)).
How long do I have to file a maritime injury claim?
Generally 3 years after the cause of action arose for personal injury or death from a maritime tort, under 46 U.S.C. § 30106.
What is the Jones Act?
A federal law that lets a seaman injured in the course of employment, or the family of a seaman who dies, sue the employer in a civil action with the right to a jury trial.
Do I have to report a boating accident in Florida?
Yes, when it causes injury, death or a disappearance, or at least $2,000 of damage: the operator must send a written report to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission within the federal time limits.
Who certifies maritime lawyers in Florida?
The Florida Bar certifies lawyers in Admiralty and Maritime Law after at least five years of practice, peer review and a written exam.
Where are the best maritime lawyers in Florida?
LexRanked ranks maritime lawyers in 3 cities; the largest rankings are Miami (17 lawyers), Coral Gables (6 lawyers) and Tampa (6 lawyers). The statewide ranking compares all of them.
How do I check a maritime lawyer's license in Florida?
Search the lawyer's name in The Florida Bar's Find a Lawyer directory: it shows whether the lawyer is eligible to practice, any board certification and public discipline. Concerns about a lawyer go to The Florida Bar's Attorney Consumer Assistance Program (ACAP), 866-352-0707.
Editorially reviewed by LexRanked editorial team on November 1, 2026.