Robert Schiller Crowder

Representing a wide range of clients in commercial and business litigation — and with particular legal and practical expertise in maritime, admiralty, and other transportation law, environmental and energy, and insurance matters — Robert S. Crowder has successfully resolved scores of legal problems and disputes. His approach is to creatively resolve matters at inception, wherever possible, and to continuously explore opportunities to expeditiously resolve problems for his clients. Mr. Crowder has extensive experience in all aspects of litigation, through and including trial and appeals, and with alternative dispute resolution in its various forms. Mr. Crowder has significant professional and practical experience in the marine and energy fields. He sailed as a deck officer for six years in the merchant marine on oceangoing tankers and subsequently worked "shore-side" in the maritime industry. He maintains a professional merchant mariner's license issued by the United States Coast Guard as master of freight and towing vessels and chief mate of oceangoing vessels, with unlimited tonnage. Mr. Crowder worked for six years at Exxon Company, U.S.A.’s Benicia, California refinery in a variety of positions including roles in coordination and economics, engineering support and operations. He attended numerous training courses in various aspects of refinery operations, economics and management. During law school, Robert worked as a law clerk for Exxon Company, U.S.A. and also as a consultant overseeing third-party vessel cargo-handling operations for Exxon. Professional & Community Involvement The Propeller Club of Los Angeles and Long Beach | Board Member Environmental Forensics | Editorial Board The Maritime Law Association of the United States American Chemical Society Representative Clients and Matters Contractor injuries arising in refinery, oil production unit and other heavy industrial settings Toxic-tort and toxic-brain injury claims California Proposition 65 litigation Environmental compliance counseling Cargo damage claims Breach of contract claims involving oil terminals and contracts of carriage Products liability claims Defended construction defect litigation involving complex process systems Counseled clients in international breach of contract, construction defect and product liability cases Represented insurers and manufacturers in aircraft casualty cases