George M. Chalos

George M. Chalos is the principal and founding member of Chalos & Co, P.C.  Mr. Chalos has been engaged in the practice of maritime, admiralty and insurance law for approximately twenty (20) years, and is experienced in all facets of civil and criminal maritime matters, casualty and pollution response, Marpol, Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (“OPA ’90”), Clean Water Act (“CWA”), and environmental matters, and insurance coverage, defense, and handling of primary, excess, and reinsurance claims. Mr. Chalos has been counsel of record in over two thousand (2000+) civil and criminal maritime matters, in over twenty (20+) different U.S. District and Appellate Courts. He has extensive experience arbitrating matters before tribunals of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators (“SMA”) in New York; has conducted numerous court-ordered and private mediations; and has assisted in presenting claims before the London High Court of Justice.

Additionally, Mr. Chalos is recognized for his expertise in OPA ’90, CERCLA, CWA, Marpol and other pollution related matters, including the defense of criminal allegations and complex third-party litigation which customarily arise in any significant pollution incident. Mr. Chalos is a published author, with articles focused on the presentation of claims to the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund and the United States’ vessel initiative program wherein the government has targeted suspected Marpol violators for criminal prosecution. Mr. Chalos has defended numerous individuals and organizational defendants and successfully recovered over $100 million from the NPFC-OSLTF for various clients and/or their insurers. Mr. Chalos obtained landmark determinations in the M/T ATHOS I oil spill matter with respect to the Owner’s affirmative demonstration of its entitlement to limit liability and obtain an award of nearly $100 million dollars, as well as obtained several complete acquittals of both individual and organizational ship owning and operating clients in various criminal Marpol prosecutions.

Education

J.D., St. Johns University
B.S., University of Vermont

  • Business Administration

Admissions

New York
Texas
Utah
The Supreme Court of the United States
United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
United States District Court for the Northern District of New York
United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
United States District Court for the District of Connecticut
United States District Court for the District of Columbia
United States District Court for the Central District of Utah
United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida

Publications and Memberships

Maritime Law Association, Proctor in Admiralty
Federal Bar Association, New York Director of Admiralty Section
New York State Bar Association
American Bar Association
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Connecticut Maritime Association
Houston Mariners Club
South Eastern Admiralty Law Institute
Maritime Association of the Port of New York
Propeller Club Chapter of the Port of New York / New Jersey
National American Maritime Ministry Association’s (“NAMMA”) Industry Advisory Counsel Board of Governors for the International Propeller Club, where he has been elected as Chairman of the Positions and Resolutions Committee.
In addition, Mr. Chalos serves as President of a local amateur youth ice hockey organization.

Publications and Memberships

Mr. Chalos has authored numerous articles involving matters of international litigation and arbitration, which have been published in law journals and bar association newsletters, and is regularly called upon as a speaker at conferences throughout the world. He is a contributing member and author for the Shiparrested.com network, an international network of lawyers who specialize in handling ship arrests and attachments around the world.

After office hours and abroad, Mr. Chalos can be reached as follows:

U.S. Mobile: +1 516 721 4076

U.K. Mobile: +44 7817 949 450

Greek Mobile: +306 948 219 703