GrayRobinson is proud to announce that Shareholder and Admiralty and Maritime Team Leader James F. “Jim” Moseley, Jr. has been elected President of the Maritime Law Association of the United States (MLA) for a two-year term beginning May 1, 2026.
The appointment represents a significant milestone in Moseley’s long-standing involvement with the MLA and reflects a career defined by leadership within the maritime legal community. Over the years, Moseley has been deeply engaged with the association, serving in multiple senior leadership positions, including secretary, second vice president, first vice president, and most recently as a member of the board of directors. His election to the presidency is widely viewed as a natural progression of his longstanding commitment to the organization and its mission.
As president, Moseley will help guide the MLA in advancing its core objectives, including promoting the development and reform of maritime law, supporting uniformity in its interpretation and application, and facilitating collaboration among legal and industry stakeholders. The MLA plays a central role in shaping maritime legal policy in the United States and abroad, serving as a respected forum where judges, practitioners, academics, and industry professionals engage on complex issues affecting global shipping and trade.
Founded in 1899, the MLA is one of the oldest and most influential maritime law organizations in the world. Today, it includes approximately 2,200 members, representing a broad cross-section of the maritime legal ecosystem, including practicing attorneys, federal and state judges, law professors, and senior professionals from the shipping and insurance industries. Through committees, conferences, and policy initiatives, the association works closely with domestic regulators and international bodies to promote consistency and fairness in maritime law.
Moseley’s election also carries a unique historical significance. His father, James F. Moseley, Sr., served as President of the MLA from 1996 to 1998, making them one of the few father-son pairs to have both held the organization’s highest office. This distinction underscores a family legacy deeply rooted in maritime law and professional service. Adding to this legacy, GrayRobinson Of Counsel Robert B. Parrish also previously served as MLA president from 2012 to 2014, further highlighting the firm’s longstanding leadership within the association. Notably, the Moseleys are also the only father-son duo to have served as presidents of both the MLA and the Jacksonville Bar Association (JBA), reflecting a rare continuity of professional influence across generations.
GrayRobinson President and CEO Dean Cannon praised Moseley’s appointment as both a personal achievement and a reflection of the firm’s broader strength in maritime law.
“Jim Moseley’s election as president of the MLA is a tremendous honor, and further cements GrayRobinson’s position as a national leader in maritime law,” Cannon said. “Jim is among the most respected maritime attorneys in the country, and his selection to lead the MLA reflects the caliber of talent and depth of commitment that define our Admiralty and Maritime Team. Since joining GrayRobinson, Jim and his team have expanded our maritime and transportation practices, elevating our capabilities for clients across Florida and around the world.”
Moseley’s leadership at GrayRobinson has been instrumental in shaping the firm’s Admiralty and Maritime practice into a nationally recognized group. Based in the firm’s Jacksonville office, he serves as the head of the team and oversees a broad range of complex maritime and transportation matters. His practice spans litigation, transactional work, regulatory counseling, and dispute resolution, serving a diverse client base that includes shipowners, vessel operators, insurers, logistics providers, rail companies, and international transportation stakeholders.
With more than four decades of experience, Moseley is widely regarded as one of the foremost maritime attorneys in the United States. His work has included handling high-stakes maritime casualties, cargo disputes, charter party negotiations, maritime finance transactions, and regulatory proceedings before agencies such as the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board. He is also frequently engaged in complex cross-border matters involving international insurers and protection and indemnity (P&I) clubs, particularly those based in Europe and the London insurance market.
Moseley’s reputation for excellence is reflected in numerous professional recognitions. He is ranked Band 1 by Chambers USA in Transportation: Shipping/Maritime Litigation (Nationwide), the highest possible ranking in that category. He is also board-certified in Admiralty and Maritime Law by The Florida Bar, a distinction reserved for attorneys who have demonstrated exceptional knowledge, skill, and professionalism in the field. In addition, he has been consistently listed in The Best Lawyers in America since 2009 and has been named “Lawyer of the Year” in Admiralty and Maritime Law multiple times, including in 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025.
Beyond his courtroom and advisory work, Moseley has contributed extensively to maritime law policy and professional development. He is a titulary member of the Comité Maritime International (CMI), an influential global organization dedicated to the unification of maritime law. He is also an active member of the Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute, where he participates in discussions on evolving legal issues affecting the maritime industry. Additionally, he previously served as President of the Jacksonville Bar Association, further underscoring his leadership within the broader legal community.
At GrayRobinson, Moseley is widely respected not only for his legal expertise but also for his mentorship and commitment to developing younger attorneys. Colleagues describe him as a steady and strategic leader who brings both technical mastery and practical insight to complex legal challenges. His leadership style emphasizes collaboration, preparation, and attention to detail—qualities that have made him a trusted advisor to clients navigating high-risk and high-value maritime disputes.
In accepting the MLA presidency, Moseley emphasized both the significance of the organization and his commitment to advancing its mission.
“I am deeply honored to serve as president of the MLA,” Moseley said. “The MLA plays a vital role in shaping maritime law, both domestically and on the international stage, and I look forward to working with the association’s outstanding membership to advance that mission. GrayRobinson’s full-service platform and commitment to maritime excellence provide an exceptional foundation from which to take on this leadership role, and I am grateful for the firm’s unwavering support of our team and of the broader maritime legal community.”
As Moseley prepares to assume leadership of the MLA, his appointment highlights both his personal accomplishments and the continued prominence of GrayRobinson’s Admiralty and Maritime practice. It also underscores the firm’s growing influence in shaping legal discourse in one of the most specialized and globally interconnected areas of law.
With a legacy that bridges generations and a career defined by technical excellence and professional service, Moseley’s presidency is expected to contribute meaningfully to the MLA’s ongoing efforts to modernize and harmonize maritime law in an increasingly complex global shipping environment.
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