Vincent J. Foley

Vincent J. Foley is a partner in the Holland & Knight Maritime Practice Group. He practices primarily in the area of international shipping litigation and arbitration. He has advised clients in connection with vessel casualties, including property damage, charter party disputes and limitation of liability actions. Mr. Foley has represented marine terminal operators in connection with licensing issues, drafting of terminal service contracts and related agreements. He has also advised clients in the negotiation and drafting of ship construction, repair and modification contracts, and the negotiation of long-term charter parties. Mr. Foley has advised clients on marine insurance coverage issues for hull, P&I and special maritime liability issues. He has extensive experience in all aspects of pre-trial discovery, depositions and trials in federal courts and commercial arbitrations.



Mr. Foley specializes in advising clients on environmental liability and regulation of vessels operating in U.S. waters. He has experience with oil pollution liability and compensation claims, including class actions involving local businesses, commercial fisherman and individuals. He has led oil pollution prevention seminars, formal response drills and oil spill response training for industry clients. Mr. Foley assisted in the representation of a foreign government in connection with extensive litigation seeking recovery of oil spill damages. Mr. Foley has advised clients on environmental policy and compliance issues, defense of civil claims and penalties and in defense of criminal prosecutions for environmental crimes.

In May 2010, Mr. Foley testified before the U.S. Congress, House of Representatives, Committee on the Judiciary, as an industry expert on the OPA 90 oil spill compensation and liability scheme in the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon Gulf Coast Oil Spill. From an international perspective, during the period of 2003-2008, he worked on the representation of the Kingdom of Spain in litigation arising out of the M.T. Prestige oil spill off the Northwest coast of Spain.

Prior to becoming a lawyer, Mr. Foley graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and worked as a licensed officer for two years on U.S. flag vessels. He holds a limited U.S. Master’s License and unlimited U.S. Third Mate and Third Assistant Engineer licenses.