Practice Summary

Mr. Cummins’ practice areas include transportation and marine insurance, including insurance coverage and bad faith defense, maritime casualty, personal injury defense, subrogation (both landside and marine), commercial litigation, and contract negotiation and drafting, with an emphasis on transportation and maritime related transactions.

He has successfully prosecuted and defended numerous cases in both judicial and non-judicial forums at all stages of litigation, including arbitration, trial, and appeal. He assists property owners and insurers in recovery actions. He also represents insurers in insurance coverage, contribution and defense matters, and represents their insureds in claims involving vessel repairs, marina liability, and personal injuries.

Mr. Cummins regularly advises and assists clients with negotiating and drafting contracts, including charter parties (voyage, time, and bare boat), towage contracts, vessel purchase and sale agreements, and transportation contracts. He also assists clients in resolving commercial disputes, including those involving international business transactions and maritime transactions, and possesses experience with assisting both U.S. and Foreign based clients with prosecuting and defending commercial claims.

His published case results include Motorola v. Federal Express, 308 F. 2d 995 (9th Circ. 2002), a case which involved two issues of first impression before the 9th Circuit.

Memberships

California State Bar
Association of Marine Underwriters of San Francisco
Maritime Law Association of the United States

Educational Background

Mr. Cummins, who is a native San Franciscan, graduated from University of California Hastings College of Law in 1996. While at Hastings, in addition to being a member of the Hastings Law Journal, he clerked for the Honorable Carlos Bea of the San Francisco Superior Court. Prior to Hastings, Mr. Cummins obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance (summa cum laude) from Golden Gate University in 1985.

He has spoken before numerous organizations, including the San Francisco Marine Claims Association and the Marine Insurance Association of Seattle, on a number of topics, including The Warsaw Convention, The Vessel Limitation of Liability Act and California Insurance Claim Regulations and Practices.