Markus Apelis

I am an experienced trial attorney with a diverse commercial transportation and general liability practice. I devote a significant portion of my litigation practice to representing members of the maritime and rail industries. In my admiralty and maritime practice, I represent vessel owners and operators in serious marine casualties, including crew injury and death, as well as collisions, allisions, and groundings. I also represent shippers, charterers, logistics providers, cargo claims and contractual disputes, as well vessel owners in personal injury claims involving the use of personal watercraft. I defend railroads in lawsuits and other proceedings arising out of employee injuries, grade crossing collisions, and property damage. I also advise railroads in matters involving regulatory and administrative enforcement and real property issues. In my general liability practice, I defend public and private companies, individuals, and insurance carriers facing litigation involving catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death claims. This practice includes defending municipalities, school districts, government agencies, elected officials, and public-sector employees against municipal liability claims. My municipal liability experience includes defending school boards and school administrators in complex litigation arising out of catastrophic events such as school shootings, sexual abuse claims, and student injuries, as well as representing on-duty and off-duty law enforcement personnel involved in federal civil rights claims. I also represent business owners against liquor liability claims, premises liability actions, employer intentional torts, and business disputes. A key component of my practice is to provide emergency response and investigative services in responding to maritime or rail emergencies or other catastrophic events. I provide counsel on pre-litigation, litigation, administrative, regulatory, compliance, and risk management issues. I regularly present on topics of interest to clients and industry members. I am an active member of the local and national Latvian community, serving on the Board of Directors for the Latvian Center Garezers, Inc. and as a past President and Chairman of the American Latvian Youth Association.