Lawyers and Business Executives in the News™

More Than 700 People Fall Ill Aboard Carnival Cruise Ship

Neil S. Lerner is a maritime law expert. He is currently reviewing this story in The Wall Street Journal (wsj.com) about how more than 700 passengers and crew members aboard a trans-Atlantic cruise have fallen ill with flu-like symptoms, cruise line officials said. The outbreak, believed to be norovirus, struck people aboard the Carnival Cruise Lines' Liberty, one of the world's largest cruise ships, according to a statement issued by the Miami company. Let's keep a watchful eye on this matter. You can listen to more of Neil Lerner on ""The Law Business Insider," at www.lbishow.com. You can also reach Neil directly at 310-979-9144, or email nsl@sandslerner.com

British Titanic survivor condemns black market relics trade

Neil S. Lerner is a maritime law expert. He really enjoyed this wire story about how a 94-year-old British woman who survived the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 criticized black market dealers who have been selling off relics from the wreckage. Millvina Dean, the last British survivor of the disaster which killed more than 1,500 people, spoke out after a BBC television programme discovered a porthole from the boat for sale for 20,000 pounds (30,000 euros, 38,000 dollars). Is nothing sacred, even miles beneath the sea? You can listen to more of Neil Lerner on ""The Law Business Insider," at www.lbishow.com. You can also reach Neil directly at 310-979-9144, or email nsl@sandslerner.com

Wonders of the World: Ships

Neil S. Lerner is a maritime law expert. He really enjoyed this story in BusinessWeek (businessweek.com) about how the Majestic America Line's American Queen is the largest steamboat ever built. Completed in 1995, the ship is outfitted in classic American style but its technology is very modern. Although it does have a traditional paddlewheel and steam engine, it also boasts state-of-the-art Z-drive propellers and two black smokestacks that mechanically split and fold downward to pass under any bridges. In other largests, the Vasco Da Gama is the largest dredger in the world, the Emma Maersk—with a capacity of 13,500 containers—is the largest container ship, and the monstrous Eirik Raude holds the title in the offshore oil rig category. That's right: these ships are giants of the sea. You can listen to more of Neil Lerner on ""The Law Business Insider," at www.lbishow.com. You can also reach Neil directly at 310-979-9144, or email nsl@sandslerner.com

Ship, vessel crash on Mississippi River

Neil S. Lerner is a maritime law expert, a trusted professional. He has several thoughts concerning this wire story about how a cargo ship heading down the Mississippi River struck another vessel anchored near New Orleans on Monday, knocking a huge gash in the anchored vessel. The anchored ship was listing, but the hole was above the water line, and the vessel was not believed to be taking on water, said Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Veronica Bandrowsky. No injuries were reported. And yet, this case further underscores the challenges that exist among these ships. Safety is a must. You can listen to more of Neil Lerner on ""The Law Business Insider," at www.lbishow.com. You can also reach Neil directly at 310-979-9144, or email nsl@sandslerner.com

Giants Of The Sea

Neil S. Lerner is one of the nation's most informed experts about maritime law. He continues to follow this story from The Wall Street Journal (wsj.com) about how the Hugo is just one in a new generation of container ships so massive that they dwarf ships made just a decade ago. Often longer than three football fields and wider than the Panama Canal, the $100 million ships are jammed with Asian-made merchandise that will fill shopping lists and stores throughout the U.S. before the holiday rush. Like Santa's supersize sleigh, the Hugo was loaded with toys, electronic goods and clothes. Forget reindeer: the Hugo is the way to go! You can also reach Neil directly at 310-979-9144, or email nsl@sandslerner.com

San Francisco Ferry Probe Cites Water Jet

Neil S. Lerner is one the nation's most informed experts about maritime law. He takes special interest in this story from the Associated Press (ap.org) about how the crash of a passenger ferry into a pier at Fisherman's Wharf, injuring nine people, was probably caused by a broken water jet control. Inspectors completed their initial examination of the Baylink ferry, which was carrying 142 passengers and had just backed out of Pier 41, when it struck the wooden pilings of a nearby pier. Yes, these accidents can and do happen. All of which proves that it pays to have a good attorney on your side, one with knowledge about this subject. That person is, now more than ever, Neil Lerner. You can listen to more of Neil Lerner on "Meet America's Best Lawyers in the News," broadcast on Clear Channel's KTLK at www.mablshow.com. You can also reach Neil directly at 310-979-9144, or email nsl@sandslerner.com

Sri Lanka navy in clash, rebel boat explodes

Neil S. Lerner is an invaluable resource concerning the field of maritime law, an area of increasing importance throughout the world. His knowledge is essential, particularly as it relates to this story from the Associated Press (ap.org) about how a Tamil Tiger rebel boat exploded during a clash with the Sri Lankan navy off the island's northwestern coast. "There is a confrontation at sea," a naval source said. "We have retaliated and one of their suicide boats exploded." Welcome to the tumult of confrontation on the high seas. Given the stakes involved, we should all follow Neil Lerner's analysis about these grave issues. You can listen to more of Neil Lerner on "Meet America's Best Lawyers in the News," broadcast on Clear Channel's KTLK at www.mablshow.com. You can also reach Neil directly at 310-979-9144, or email nsl@sandslerner.com

Senate panel OKs maritime security bill

Neil S. Lerner is a thoughtful commentator about maritime law, which is increasingly a vital subject of national security. He is closely following this story about how U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved a major maritime security bill Tuesday. The new bill would require the Homeland Security Department to take steps toward scanning all cargo containers at foreign ports before they are shipped to the United States, CongressDaily reported. We need to educate ourselves about these decisions and their political importance. We can start by calling Mr. Lerner. You can listen to more of Neil Lerner on "Meet America's Best Lawyers in the News," broadcast on Clear Channel's KTLK at www.mablshow.com. You can also reach Neil directly at 310-979-9144, or email nsl@sandslerner.com

Port Workers to Undergo Background Checks

Neil S. Lerner knows that maritime law is an integral part of the war against terror. Now comes a report in the Associated Press (ap.org) about how seaport workers will undergo background checks for links to terrorism and to ensure they are legal U.S. residents, the Bush administration said Tuesday. Names of an estimated 400,000 employees who work in the most sensitive areas of ports will be matched against government terror watch lists and immigration databases. As these policies assume even greater importance, lawyers like Neil Lerner will be our principal means of education about this crucial subject. Thankfully, Mr. Lerner is an excellent communicator and a truly gifted member of the bar. You can listen to more of Neil Lerner on "Meet America's Best Lawyers in the News," broadcast on Clear Channel's KTLK at www.mablshow.com. You can also reach Neil directly at 310-979-9144, or email nsl@sandslerner.com

Ferries called terror target

Neil S. Lerner is a learned commentator about maritime law, an increasingly vital national security issue. He has a great many thoughts concerning a recent story in the Associated Press (ap.org) about how Washington State Ferries, the largest ferry system in the country, has topped the list of targets for maritime terrorism in the United States, according to a report from the Justice Department's inspector general's office. It's the first time the FBI has publicly acknowledged the high risk to the state ferries system. For further context about these issues, as well as an overview about maritime law's traditional importance, Neil Lerner is the proverbial gold standard of knowledge on this matter. You can listen to more of Neil Lerner on "Meet America's Best Lawyers in the News," broadcast on Clear Channel's KTLK at www.mablshow.com. You can also reach Neil directly at 310-979-9144, or email nsl@sandslerner.com