John D. Padgett is the office managing partner of the firm’s Norfolk office and leader of the Transportation Industry Team. He has extensive experience in providing a wide range of services to corporate and transportation clients.
He is experienced in counseling public and private businesses, partnerships and limited liability corporations with matters involving mergers and acquisitions, commercial real estate and operational issues. John also has experience with the transportation and terminal operating industries and has a unique perspective on maritime commerce.
He has worked with a variety of enterprises at various points in their corporate trajectory, from early stage to maturity. He also advises corporations in the nuances of international trade and U.S. customs’ compliance issues.
Additionally, he provides litigation support to the firm’s corporate and maritime clients. He has been selected by his peers as one of the best corporate and transportation attorneys in Virginia. His specific experience includes:
John assists clients with the laws governing the assessment of customs duties and the administration of import and export laws and regulations, including classification, valuation and the assessment of customs duties. He also counsels clients regarding export laws and regulations, including classification, valuation, the use of foreign trade zones and anti-dumping and countervailing duties.
He works with clients in the conduct of audits and the defense of civil penalty or liquidated damages proceedings commenced by the U.S. Customs Service and other agencies with jurisdiction over foreign trade, including clients who have violated the Customs’ Service “informed compliance agreement.”
He has substantial experience in the transportation industry, including the representation of tug boat companies, freight forwarders, shipping companies, freight consolidators, trucking companies and international companies. He has advised clients with transactions involving the Shipping Act, COGSA, Harter Act, the Carmac Amendment, Pomorene Act and other federal and international treaties and conventions.
His practice includes assisting clients in documenting international transactions and drafting charter and transportation agreements. John regularly handles litigation relating to cargo damage, charter disputes and transportation issues.
John regularly represents banks and financial institutions in structuring and documenting complex lending transactions. He has expertise in the federal Ship Mortgage Act and the Maritime Lien Act, and has provided assistance to numerous lenders in documenting and exercising remedies under loans secured by federally documented vessels.
He recently assisted an international lender syndicate which needed to comply with the American Fisheries Act in order to perfect a lien against a large fishing fleet.
EXPERIENCE :
- Lead outside counsel for transfer of largest private container facility in North America to the Virginia Port Authority in transaction valued at $750 million.
- Participated in acquisition of warehousing and logistics operations for several companies operating in the mid-Atlantic and Gulf states.
- Regulatory counsel for private equity fund acquisition of fleet operating in the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.
- Represent publicly held companies in addressing import-compliance issues, including the protest of fines and penalties, audits and tariff issues.
Education :
- Washington and Lee University School of Law, JD, Member, Washington & Lee Law Review, 1983
- University of Virginia, BA, with Distinction, 1980
Admissions :
- Virginia
- U.S. Federal Court
Affiliations :
- Appointed by the German government as Honorary Consul for Virginia’s Hampton Roads region
- Past Chair, 2003, Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce
- Past President, Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance
- Past District Governor of District 7600 of Rotary International, 2012
- Member and former Port Director, Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute
- General Counsel, Republican Party of Virginia, 2000-2008
Cost
Rate : $$$
