Vedder Price is pleased to announce Global Transportation Finance Shareholder Francis X. Nolan, III was today elected President of The Maritime Law Association of the United States (MLA) at the MLA Spring General Meeting in New York City. Mr. Nolan has served on the Board of Directors and earlier as Vice President and Chair of the Marine Financing Committee.

The MLA is the premier professional maritime organization committed to improving maritime law. Founded in 1899, the MLA’s approximately 3,000+ members consist of lawyers involved in maritime matters, judges active in matters involving admiralty issues, admiralty law professors, and stakeholders who are selected because they hold responsible positions in the maritime industry. The MLA is a member of the Brussels-based Comité Maritime International (CMI) and is affiliated with the American Bar Association.

A longtime member of the maritime bar and the third generation of his family in the maritime industry, Mr. Nolan represents international and domestic lenders, borrowers, investors, lessees, lessors, operators, shipbuilders and manufacturers principally in the transportation and defense industries. He has extensive experience in the financing of a wide variety of transportation assets and projects, including vessels of every description, drill rigs, locomotives and rolling stock, containers and related equipment. Mr. Nolan has represented clients in financing transactions for vessels under U.S. flag and numerous foreign flags, bareboat charter registries and under restricted flags, such as the U.S. Jones Act trades.

As President, Mr. Nolan will continue to build on MLA’s successes, promoting the uniformity of maritime law and enhancing the benefits of membership for lawyers involved in maritime matters. During his tenure, Mr. Nolan also plans to focus on the overall engagement of members in the associations’ numerous projects, strive to expand MLA’s cross-border relationships, and continue the MLA’s extraordinary constructive relationship with the United States Coast Guard and other relevant government bodies.

“I am humbled and proud to accept the role of MLA president,” said Mr. Nolan. “I’ve been an active member of the MLA for 43 years and have worked closely with MLA leadership for many years. I am eager to build upon its momentum. It’s an exciting time for the maritime community and I am thrilled to play a part in its growth and advancement.”

About MLA

The Maritime Law Association of the United States (MLA) was founded in 1899. Its formation was prompted by the organization, some three years earlier, of the International Maritime Committee, better known by its name in French, Comité Maritime International (CMI). The objectives of the Association is to advance reforms in the Maritime Law of the United States, to facilitate justice in its administration, to promote uniformity in its enactment and interpretation, to furnish a forum for the discussion and consideration of problems affecting the Maritime Law and its administration, to participate as a constituent member of the Comité Maritime International and as an affiliated organization of the American Bar Association, and to act with other associations in efforts to bring about a greater harmony in the shipping laws, regulations and practices of different nations. Because the MLA’s work has become so well-known, its views are frequently sought by Congress and government agencies. The Association’s positions are officially expressed from time to time, but such expressions are subject to strict control. The Association is connected with or interacts with a number of international organizations (usually identified by acronyms) which include, among others: The Comité Maritime International (CMI), The International Maritime Organization (IMO), The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT), The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and The Hague Conference on Private International Law.