Chaffe McCall Partner Named Second Vice President of Maritime Law Association of the U.S.

Houston, Texas – Harold K. “Hal” Watson, partner of Chaffe McCall, L.L.P., was recently elected second vice president of the Maritime Law Association of the United States. An active member since 1978, Watson served as the organization’s secretary before being elected second vice president.

“It is a great honor to be elected second vice president of such a prestigious association,” said Watson. “I am proud to be a member of the Maritime Law Association and look forward to continue serving the association in the coming years.”

Founded in 1899, the Maritime Law Association is a professional organization formed to advance reforms and promote uniformity in maritime law. The Maritime Law Association’s membership consists of lawyers involved in maritime matters, judges active in matters involving admiralty issues, admiralty law professors and non-lawyers who are selected because they hold responsible positions in the maritime field and have rendered distinguished service in the advancement of maritime law or its administration.

“At Chaffe McCall, we encourage our attorneys to get involved in professional development organizations like the Maritime Law Association of the United States,” said Corinne Morrison, Managing Partner of Chaffe McCall. “Hal is a respected leader in his practice and we are proud of his accomplishments – both as a lawyer effectively serving clients’ needs and as a leader in a prestigious professional association. We are confident that Hal will help bring the Maritime Law Association to a higher level under his leadership.  This election is quite an honor for Hal and a recognition by his peers of his talent and accomplishments.”

Mr. Watson is a partner in Chaffe McCall’s Houston office. He has over 30 years experience in maritime and energy law representing domestic and foreign interests, with particular emphasis on insurance law. He represents insurers, oil and gas operators and contractors, shipowners, charterers, and others in marine, energy, construction and coverage matters throughout the United States and abroad.

Mr. Watson is a frequent lecturer, sits on the planning committees for the Houston Marine Insurance Seminar and the Tulane Admiralty Law Institute, and is a member of the Association of Average Adjusters of the United States. He formerly served as chairman of the Energy and Maritime Law Committee of the International Association of Defense Counsel and as a director of the Episcopal Foundation of Texas.

Mr. Watson is lauded by his peers in the legal community. Recently, The Texas Lawyer named him as one of the five “go to” maritime lawyers in Texas and, in 2011, he was named one of the three-dozen Super Lawyers in the field of insurance coverage in Texas. He is also regularly included in The Best Lawyers in America in maritime law.

Mr. Watson earned a Master of Laws from Yale Law School in 1977, and graduated third in his class with a Juris Doctorate from Louisiana State University Law Center in 1974, where he served as associate editor of the Louisiana Law Review and was a member of Order of the Coif. Mr. Watson received his Bachelor of Arts from Louisiana State University in 1971. He is admitted to practice law in Louisiana, Texas and the United States Supreme Court and is a member of each corresponding bar.

For more information on Chaffe McCall or Mr. Watson’s practice please visit www.chaffe.com.

Chaffe McCall, L.L.P provides the highest quality legal services in a timely and cost-effective manner throughout Louisiana, Texas, the southeastern United States, Latin and Central America and Mexico.  The firm’s record of success in landmark litigation, transactions large and small, complex negotiations, emerging and dynamic practice areas, as well as in political and civic endeavors, sets it apart as the exceptional New Orleans law firm – a position the firm has continually earned since its inception in 1826.