Mr. Rodriguez has extensive experience in all aspects of maritime law, with particular emphasis on collision, other significant shipping and pollution casualties, limitation of liability, environmental regulation, maritime products liability, vessel construction and repair, cargo and chartering disputes. He is an internationally recognized expert on the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and CERCLA, subjects upon which he has written and lectured extensively.

Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, December 7, 1944; admitted to bar, 1973, Louisiana. Education: United States Naval Academy (B.S., with merit, 1966); Loyola University of the South (J.D. cum laude, 1973). Associate Editor, Loyola Law Review, 1971-1973. Since 1981, he has been a Professor of Maritime Law (The Law of Collision, Limitation of Liability, and Oil Pollution), Tulane University School of Law. United States Navy - Active Duty (1966-1970), Reserve Duty (1970 to 1995); Captain, U.S. Naval Reserve (Ret.).

Experience

• Managing Partner, Fowler Rodriguez, June 1992-present
• Partner, Phelps Dunbar, 1977-1992
• Associate, Phelps, Dunbar, Marks, Claverie & Sims, 1973-1977
• Law Clerk, Phelps, Dunbar, Marks, Claverie & Sims, 1971-1973
• Naval Officer, U.S. Navy, 1966-1970

Recent Publications

• Author: Chapter IX, Vol. 3 “Marine Oil Pollution,” Benedict on Admiralty, 1995-present
• Co-author of copyrighted Coursebooks entitled, Admiralty: Limitation of Liability - Cases and Materials and Admiralty: The Law of Collision - Cases and Materials
• Author: “How to Minimize Your Exposure: Practical Strategies in the Defense of Marine Pollution Claims,” Environmental Claims Journal (1993)
• Author: “When Your Ship is in the Bull’s Eye: The Maritime Transportation Security Act and Potential Vessel Owner Liability to Third Parties Resulting From a Terrorist Attack,” University of San Francisco Maritime Law Journal, Vol. 17, Issue 2 (2004)
• Co-Author: “The Oil Pollution Act of 1990,” Tulane Maritime Law Journal (1990)
• Co-Author: “Overview of U.S. Law of Shipowners’ Limitation of Liability,” Maritime Law Association Reports (1991) (Reprinted, Il Diritti Marittimo, Genoa, Italy (1992)
• Co-Author: “The International Safety Management (ISM) Code: A New Level of Uniformity,” Tulane Law Review (1999)
• Book Review: “Farwell’s Rules of the Nautical Road” (Eighth Edition) By: Craig H. Allen, Journal of Maritime Law & Commerce, Vol. 37, No. 1, January 2006
• Co-Author: “United States of America,” Enforcement of Judgments, Awards & Deeds in Commercial Matters (European Lawyer Series; First edition 2012)