Conte Cicala
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Conte Cicala focuses his practice on litigating maritime, transportation, commercial and insurance disputes, and on providing corporate and business legal advice to transportation companies.
He has first chair experience representing his clients at trial, arbitration and before government agencies in quasi-judicial and quasi-legislative proceedings. He has also counseled companies and their executives during merger discussions, labor disputes, expansion into new modes of carriage and at other critical moments, as well as during board meetings, contract negotiations and other matters.
Conte sat on the Board of Directors of an international shipping line for almost a decade.
He also served as an Army Reserve officer for 15 years, much of which was spent with Transportation and JAG units.
For nearly a decade, Conte has been regularly recognized in legal and trade publications for his work in the transportation and maritime law fields.
Admissions
- California
- U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii
Education
- J.D., Tulane University Law School, 1994. Senior Articles Editor of the Tulane Maritime Law Journal and recipient of A.B.A. Award for Excellence in Local Government Law.
- B.A., English, Yale University, 1990
Memberships
- Pacific Admiralty Seminar
- Proctor Member, Maritime Law Association
- Member, Transportation Lawyers Association
- Board of Directors, Kentfield Schools Foundation
- Coordinated and conducted response and investigation of major casualties, including fatal and serious injury accidents on marine terminals and vessels, heavy weather losses, warehouse fires, damage to cranes, ships and structures, and other catastrophes.
- After a three week federal trial, won a multi-million dollar fraud judgment against several NVOCCs, arising out of a massive scheme involving the declaration of false cargo origins and phantom truck moves carried out for approximately a decade (Mitsui O.S.K Lines, Ltd. v Seamaster, 2013 WL 1191212, RICO Bus.Disp.Guide 12, 366 (N.D. Cal., March 21, 2013) and 913 F.Supp.2d 780 (N.D.Cal. 2012).
- Represented a leading maritime trade association in pilot rate hearings before the San Francisco Board of Pilot Commissioners, and before various courts and government agencies in matters of significance to the West Coast maritime industry.
Defended and represented before government agencies the Vessel Charterer in the Cosco Busan bridge allision/oil spill matter.
In a reported opinion, obtained transfer to Texas pursuant to a contractual forum selection clause (Three Brothers Trucking v. Exel Global Logistics Inc., 2006 WL 1329883 (N.D. Cal. 2006)) - In a reported opinion, obtained client’s dismissal from state court in North Dakota, based on a Japan forum selection clause in a bill of lading (Barbara Lloyd Designs, Inc. v. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, 2003 A.M.C. 2608 (N.D. 2003))
In a reported opinion, obtained dismissal of an indirect air carrier based on a contractual time bar and protected indemnity rights against the air carrier (Seagate Corporation v. Dalian China Express Int’l. Corp., 169 F.Supp.2d 1137 & 1146 (N.D. Cal. 2001)). - Representing the State of Yap, its governor and other officials in a dispute involving a failed state-owned fishing corporation, obtained dismissal based on grounds of forum non conveniens (Gemini Capital Group v. Yap Fishing Corporation, 150 F.3d 1088 (9th Cir. 1998))
- Helped draft an industry association’s amicus brief in United States v. Locke, 529 U.S. 89 (2000) (Intertanko v. Locke).
Routinely assists plaintiffs, defendants, garnishees and other interested parties in Rule B, C and D maritime arrests and attachments as well as in connection with state law attachment proceedings.
Represented an equipment leasing subsidiary of a Fortune 10 company in a series of coverage actions, recovering eight figures.
Defended a prominent law firm in a malpractice/breach of fiduciary duty action, the successful defense of which hinged on voiding the underlying marine insurance policy under maritime law.
Represents insured and insurers in coverage and bad faith actions and in providing coverage opinions.