Florida-Based Maritime Practices Are Bracing for the Impact of Tariffs
Transportation and Infrastructure Group Co-Chair Christopher Nolan was interviewed for a Daily Business Review article examining how maritime lawyers are counseling clients amid looming tariffs and political uncertainty. Lawyers in Florida report an uptick in activity at ports as companies work to get around tariffs by importing goods ahead of schedule – even if it costs more to do so – as well as turn to alternative entry points like Jacksonville. Mr. Nolan explained how Holland & Knight is advising clients, highlighting the firm's recently launched Tariff Task Force and saying attorneys are preparing for a wave of litigation. He added he anticipates lawsuits will be contractual in nature as opposed to challenging the Trump Administration's authority to implement trade-related measures.
"I don't expect an influx of lawsuits addressing the power of the executive branch to [impose tariffs]," he remarked. "But separately, the implications on existing contracts, which have been in place for some time, the impact on the costs that are associated with tariffs and if they change trade routes, that is something that is inevitably leading to litigation."
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