Established 1938 Charleston, South Carolina Admiralty Counsel
Prescott & Monroe
Where the law of the sea meets the rigor of the court.
Charleston's preeminent admiralty and maritime counsel since 1938.
Our Heritage
Anchored in the
Port City's History
The sea does not yield easily — nor do we. For eight decades, Prescott & Monroe has stood beside those whose livelihoods run with the tide. — Harlan Prescott III, Senior Partner
Founded by Elias Prescott to serve Charleston's growing port commerce
Monroe family joins; firm expands into offshore jurisdiction disputes
Landmark Jones Act victory redefines seafarer protections in the 4th Circuit
Founded at the edge of the Cooper River in 1938, Prescott & Monroe was born of the waterfront itself. Elias Prescott, a former merchant marine officer turned barrister, understood the sea not as metaphor but as livelihood — and the law that governed it as something demanding precision, courage, and intimate local knowledge.
Today, under the third generation of Prescott leadership alongside the Monroe family's unbroken tradition of admiralty advocacy, the firm represents vessel owners, cargo interests, offshore energy operators, and the seafarers themselves. We practice before the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, federal appellate courts, and arbitral bodies across the Gulf and Atlantic coasts.
Charleston's waterfront has changed. The law of the sea has evolved. What has not changed is our uncompromising standard: no maritime dispute is too complex, no client too small, no voyage too far.
Licensed in South Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana & Virginia. Admiralty matters in all federal districts.
Practice Areas
Command of Maritime Law
in Every Jurisdiction
The law of the sea is ancient, complex, and unforgiving. Prescott & Monroe brings focused expertise across every dimension of admiralty and maritime practice — from cargo disputes in Charleston harbor to offshore platform litigation in federal courts.
Admiralty & Maritime
Full-spectrum admiralty litigation and counsel — vessel collisions, salvage claims, general average, limitation of liability proceedings, and maritime contract disputes under federal admiralty jurisdiction.
Learn moreCargo Disputes
Representation of shippers, consignees, and cargo insurers in loss, damage, and shortage claims. Bills of lading disputes, Carmack claims, and multi-modal cargo litigation across domestic and international voyages.
Learn moreJones Act Claims
Vigorous advocacy for injured seamen under the Jones Act and general maritime law. Maintenance and cure, unseaworthiness, and employer negligence claims prosecuted to maximum recovery.
Learn moreMarine Insurance
Counsel to underwriters, P&I clubs, and policyholders on hull and machinery claims, cargo policy disputes, coverage opinions, and bad faith litigation under marine insurance law.
Learn morePort & Harbor Regulation
Navigating the regulatory intersection of Coast Guard compliance, USACE permits, port authority disputes, and environmental maritime law at Charleston's working harbor and beyond.
Learn moreOffshore Energy
Legal counsel for offshore drilling operators, platform owners, and energy companies navigating OCSLA jurisdiction, personal injury indemnity disputes, and environmental liability in federal waters.
Learn moreNotable Victories
A Record Built on
the Merits
Eight decades of admiralty litigation have produced verdicts and settlements that have shaped maritime law across the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.
In re: MV Atlantic Sovereign Cargo Claim
Represented a consortium of international cargo insurers following a catastrophic containership incident in Charleston Harbor. Secured full cargo value recovery across 14 separate claims totaling $62M.
$62M RecoveryHolloway v. Coastal Towing Enterprises
Fourth Circuit landmark ruling affirming Jones Act seaman status for inland towing workers. Jury verdict of $18.4M upheld on appeal — redefining "vessel in navigation" for tug operators along the Carolina coast.
$18.4M VerdictTidewater Drilling v. Seaboard Energy Group
Successfully defended offshore drilling contractor against $240M OCSLA indemnity claim arising from platform blowout. Court dismissed on jurisdictional grounds following our motion practice — zero liability for client.
Full Defense VerdictCharleston Port Authority v. MSC Bridgette
Represented vessel owner in allision dispute with port infrastructure. Navigated limitation of liability act proceedings, establishing proportionate fault allocation that capped client exposure to $4.2M from $38M claimed.
Liability LimitationMeridian Hull & Machinery Coverage Dispute
Prosecuted bad faith marine insurance claim on behalf of vessel owner denied coverage following structural failure. Jury awarded full hull value plus $8M in extracontractual damages — largest marine bad faith verdict in SC history.
$28M Total AwardCooper River Dredging Permit Challenge
Represented consortium of harbor pilots and shippers challenging Army Corps permit restrictions. Successfully obtained injunctive relief and negotiated revised permit conditions protecting commercial navigation rights.
Injunction GrantedOur Counsel
Officers of the
Admiralty Bar
The attorneys of Prescott & Monroe bring decades of federal maritime practice, judicial clerkships, and sea-side industry experience. We do not generalize — every partner concentrates exclusively in admiralty and maritime law.
Harlan Prescott III
Senior Partner & Founding CounselAdmiralty litigation, Jones Act, limitation proceedings. Former USCG JAG Officer. 38 years of practice.
Victoria Monroe
Managing PartnerOffshore energy, OCSLA jurisdiction, marine insurance. Former US District Court clerk, EDSC. 24 years of practice.
Clement Farrow
Partner — Cargo & P&ICargo claims, P&I defense, bills of lading, international maritime arbitration. Former Lloyd's of London correspondent. 19 years.
Renata Alves
Associate — Jones Act & Seafarer RightsJones Act personal injury, maintenance & cure, unseaworthiness. Bilingual (English/Portuguese). 8 years of practice.
Why Prescott & Monroe
The Standard of
Admiralty Excellence
in the Low Country
In admiralty law, experience is not a credential — it is a requirement. The federal courts, the Coast Guard, the port authorities, the offshore operators: they know this firm, and they know what we represent.
Federal Court Presence
Admitted to practice before the United States District Courts and Courts of Appeal across the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Deep relationships with admiralty judges and magistrates.
Industry Knowledge
Our partners include former merchant marine officers, Lloyd's correspondents, and Coast Guard legal officers. We understand the industry from the waterline up.
Rapid Response
Maritime emergencies do not observe business hours. Our casualty response team is available around the clock for vessel arrests, incident response, and emergency injunctive relief.
Transparent Counsel
We provide clear-eyed assessments, not false promises. Contingency arrangements available for Jones Act and personal injury matters. Fixed-fee retainers for P&I club clients.
Contact
Ready to Chart
Your Legal Course?
Whether you are facing a cargo dispute in the harbor, an offshore injury claim, or a complex admiralty proceeding, Prescott & Monroe is prepared to act. Initial consultations are confidential and without obligation.
Charleston, South Carolina 29401
Maritime emergencies: 24-hour line available
Request a Consultation
Complete the form below and a member of our admiralty team will respond within one business day.