Everything the cruise lines don’t want you to know . . . 

. . . is the motto of this award winning maritime blog.

Jim in the News

The New York Times describes Jim as “a maritime lawyer in Miami who has attended more than half a dozen Congressional hearings about cruise ship crime and passenger safety.” Jim has been involved in maritime litigation since 1983. Based in Miami, Florida, Jim represents passengers and crew members injured or assaulted on cruise ships around the world.

Jim is interviewed frequently when there are fires, disease outbreaks and mishaps at seas. He is asked to appear regularly on television where he shares his views of disasters at sea. He has appeared regularly over the years on cable news programs and in documentaries regarding the cruise industry. His editorials and opinions pieces appear frequently in newspaper and other publications, such as CNN’s What Cruise Lines Don’t Want You to Know in 2013.

In 2012, Jim appeared on ABC’s 20/20 special on the Costa Concordia disaster. He appeared on Australia’s Dateline program “Lost at Sea” about passengers and crew members disappearing from cruise ships. Jim was featured on PBS’s documentary “Disasters at Sea: Why Ships Sink” which looked at cruise disasters from the Titanic’s sinking in 1912 to the current date. He also appeared on CNN’s special “Cruise to Disaster” which explored the Concordia disaster.

Cruise Law News Facebook Page

Jim posts commentary daily on the cruise industry on the firm’s Facebook page which has over 241,000 followers.

What Publications are saying

Here are what some publications are saying about Jim Walker:

“Maritime lawyer Jim Walker has made a career out of exposing the cruise lines’ darkest secrets” – Lost at Sea,” Journeyman Pictures.

“Top Maritime Lawyer” – ABA Journal.
“Top Cruise Lawyer” – USA Today.
“Miami-based Maritime Attorney and Industry Watchdog” – Conde Nast Traveler
“Prominent Private Practice Maritime Attorney” – Fox News.
“A Premier Lawyer for Passengers” – Reuters.
“Prominent Cruise Plaintiff Attorney” – Law.com (America Law Media).
“One of the nation’s leading maritime attorneys” – News 6 Orlando.
“Leading Miami Attorney” – Newsweek Magazine.
“Leading Maritime Lawyer in Miami” – Arizona Republic / USA Today
“. . . it is nice to see a lawyer with scruples, and one that is honest with them” – Port Canaveral Blog
“An Outspoken and Candid Maritime Attorney Who has Represented Some of the Highest Profile Cruise Plaintiffs in History” – Cruisemates
“Longtime Maritime Lawyer Who Represents Clients Suing Cruise Lines” – New York Times
“Internationally Renowned Maritime Lawyer and Cruise Safety Advocate” – Times of Malta
“Cruise companies are watched closely by Jim Walker of US-based maritime lawyers Walker and O’Neill” – New Zealand Herald.
“Man For the Other Team” – International Shipping Publication Tradewinds.
“Famous Miami Maritime Attorney” – Cruise Newser.
“Prominent Florida-Based Lawyer for Cruise Ship Passengers” – Staten Island Live.
“Leading U.S. Based Cruise Lawyer” – eTravel Blackboard (Australia).
“Prominent Miami Maritime Lawyer” – Travel Agent Central.
“Industry Watchdog” – FOX News and LexBlog
“King of anti-cruise tirades . . . his impressive background and litigation record against cruise lines must be taken seriously.” – Travel Weekly.
“Perpetual Pain-In-The-Cruise-Lines-Neck Jim Walker” – Gadling.
“A well-known thorn in the side of cruise lines” – Cruising Done Right (travel agent publication).

Notoriously cruise-critical maritime lawyer” – Cruise Hive (cruise blog)

Lexblog names Cruise Law News “Blog of the Year” writing: “. . . no attorney’s passion shows through more than Jim Walker’s in his blog, Cruise Law News. Not only is he an advocate for cruise passengers, but also a fervent watchdog for the industry as a whole. His 2014 included, among a multitude of accomplishments, traveling to Washington, DC to back Senator Rockefeller’s Cruise Passenger Protection Act and forcing government officials in the Bahamas to have to answer to their ranking on the Top 10 worst destinations.”

Jim is the author of Cruise Law News – described as a “Hard-Hitting Blog” by Miami’s Daily Business Review.
Jim writes the “authoritative cruise blog” – Sydney Morning Herald.
Maritime lawyer Jim Walker, who has represented numerous cruise passengers and crew members, runs the cruise watchdog blog Cruise Law News,Time

Cruise Law News, published by Attorney Jim Walker, “has blown the doors off the cruise industry and has grown to be one the most widely read digital publications in the law.”
The U.K. Metro newspaper refers to Jim as the “Devil of Cruise Reporting.”
Prominent Miami-based maritime lawyer” – Engle International.
Respected Miami-based maritime lawyer“- eGlobal Travel Media.
Maritime attorney and industry watchdog Jim Walker“- Express (UK).
Maritime lawyer and cruise ship expert Jim Walker” – NY Post.
Never shy about calling out cruise lines“- Cruise Ind.

“Respected anti-cruise commentator Jim Walker of Cruise Law News” – Cruise-Arabia.
LexBlog says “Walker is the world’s leading reporter on deaths, injuries, and safety matters relating to the cruise industry. Via his blog, he not only reports the news, but is the de facto cruise industry watchdog.”

About Jim Walker

Jim has experience regarding issues of cruise ship crime and sexual assault. Over the past twenty-five years, he has represented over 2,500 clients including over 125 individuals who have been victimized on cruise ships, cruise excursions and ports of call. Six of Jim’s clients have testified before the United States Congress regarding cruise ship safety. Jim has handled the following cases:

  • The case of Laurie Dishman, sexually assaulted on Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas. Her case resulted in changes to the cruise industry and the introduction of the Cruise Ship Safety and Security Act of 2010.
  • The “Missing Honeymooner Case” involving the disappearance of George Smith IV of Greenwich Connecticut from Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas cruise ship. Jim represented Mr. Smith’s widow, Jennifer Hagel.
  • Over 125 sexual assault cases against women and children on cruise ships, resulting in many million and multi-million dollars settlements.
  • The 2006 Star Princess fire disaster. The cruise ship fire resulted in one hundred cabins being destroyed and the death of one passenger, Richard Liffridge. Jim represented Mr. Liffridge’s family in litigation against Princess Cruises in California.
  • Numerous cases involving serious injury and death of passengers and crew members aboard Carnival, Celebrity, Costa, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess and Royal Caribbean cruise ships.

Jim attended Duke University and graduated cum laude in 1980. He attended Tulane University School of Law, graduating in 1983 after taking Tulane’s internationally renowned admiralty curriculum. Jim is married to Lisa O’Neill who he met while they were undergraduates in college forty-six years ago. Jim and Lisa are also law partners.

Lisa is also a Duke cum laude graduate, and attended the University of Florida School of Law in Gainesville, Florida. She served on Law Review as the Senior Articles Editor, won the prestigious Gertrude Brick Award, and graduated cum laude. Jim and Lisa work on all cases together.

Professional Associations

  • Florida Admiralty Trial Lawyers Association
  • Maritime Law Association of the United States
  • Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum

    Jim has handled over 125 cruise sexual assault cases.

Education

  • Kent School, Kent Connecticut 1976
  • Duke University, Durham North Carolina 1980
  • Tulane School of Law, New Orleans Louisiana 1983

Bar Admissions

  • Florida Bar Association
  • United States District Court, Southern District of Florida

Here is what chatGPT says about Jim Walker:

Jim Walker is a prominent maritime attorney and the founder of Walker & O’Neill, a law firm specializing in maritime and admiralty law. He is well-known for his blog, Cruise Law News, where he provides insights and updates on legal issues related to the cruise industry, including matters concerning crew members’ rights, passenger injuries, and other maritime legal concerns.

Key Aspects of Jim’s Work:

1. Specialization in Maritime Law

Jim Walker focuses on various aspects of maritime law, including:

  • Cruise Ship Accidents and Injuries: Legal representation for passengers and crew members involved in cruise ship incidents.
  • Crew Member Rights: Advocacy for crew members regarding employment disputes, injuries, and other issues.
  • Maritime Liability and Insurance: Handling claims related to maritime accidents and insurance coverage.

2. Cruise Law News Blog

Walker’s blog is a significant resource for updates on legal issues in the cruise industry, including:

  • Crew Member Rights: Discussions on legal protections and rights for cruise ship crew members.
  • Passenger Claims: Information on legal options for passengers who suffer injuries or other issues while on a cruise.
  • Regulatory Changes: Updates on changes in maritime regulations and their implications for the industry.

3. Legal Representation and Advocacy

Walker & O’Neill represents clients in various legal matters, including:

  • Litigation and Arbitration: Handling disputes through legal proceedings or arbitration, particularly in cases involving personal injury, employment issues, and contractual disputes.
  • Negotiation and Settlements: Working to resolve disputes through negotiations and settlements to achieve favorable outcomes for clients.

4. Publications and Media

Jim Walker frequently contributes to legal discussions and media regarding maritime law. His blog and articles provide valuable insights into current trends, legal challenges, and emerging issues in the cruise industry.

Contact and Consultation

For individuals seeking legal advice or representation in maritime matters, including injuries on cruise ships or disputes involving crew members, Jim Walker and his firm can be contacted for consultations. They offer specialized expertise in navigating the complexities of maritime law and advocating for clients’ rights.

If you have specific legal concerns or need assistance related to maritime issues, consulting with a maritime lawyer like Jim Walker can provide you with expert guidance and support.

Media, Television, Radio, Magazines and Newspapers

Jim and his clients have been featured on television, cable news and radio shows, as well as in documentaries, newspapers and magazine articles.

ABC, CBS, MSNBC, CNN, FOXNews, DATELINE, 48 HOURS, 20/20, Larry King Live, A & E Investigative Reports, Hannity & Colmes, Greta Van Sustern, Nancy Grace, Inside Edition, Julie Banderas, Big Story Weekend, CourtTV, Catherine Crier, Montel Williams, Joe Scarborough, Rita Cosby, Mike & Juliet, Geraldo Rivera, Nancy Bloom, Dan Abrams, UK’s BBC-Radio 4, Heartland w/John Kasich, E! Entertainment, TruTV, Canada’s CATV-5, Good Morning America, TIME Magazine, National Law Journal, RADAR Magazine, Lawyer’s Weekly USA, Miami Herald, American Law Media, Tradewinds, Fort Lauderdale’s Sun-Sentinel, Miami Business Review, LA Times, NY Times, Salt Lake Tribune, Florida Today, Daytona Beach Journal, Sacramento Bee, Washington Post, Greenwich Times, Greenwich Citizen, Greenwich Post, San Francisco Chronicle, U.K.’s Telegraph, St. Petersburg Times, Miami’s New Times, U.K. Mirror, London’s Guardian, Edmonton Post, Chicago Sun-Times, Bahamas Journal, Italy’s “Chi l’ha Visto?” television show, Germany’s Wunderwelt Wisen, CruiseCritic, South Florida Business Journal, Open Secrets organization, Queerty, Baltimore Sun, Bahamas Tribune, National Public Radio (NPR), USA Today, Gadling, FOX Business, Slate Magazine, ABA Journal, Australia’s The Age, Attorney at Law Magazine, Huffington Post, U.K.’s Daily Mail, BBC, Freeport (Bahamas) News, Haaretz, Trip Advisor, Wikipedia, Palm Beach Post, India Times, E Turbo News, Global Travel News, Comunidade News (Brazil), Canada’s CTV, OutFront with CNN’s Erin Burnett, Slate, The Daily, London’s Financial Times, Newsweek Magazine, Newsweek’s The Daily Beast Blog, Fund Web, Reuters, Consumer Affairs, Australia’s Herald Sun, Canada’s NewsTalk 1010 Radio, Houston Chronicle, Wall Street Journal, Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), Tampa Bay Business Journal, Perez Hilton, Business Insider, Greenwich Magazine, Herald Sun, CNN Money, the Australian newspaper, Christian Science Monitor, International Business Times, Maritime Executive, Businessweek, Bloomberg, Alaska Dispatch, Minnesota Post, Virgin Islands Daily News, Arizona Republic, Trip Advisor, Daily Kos, Jamaica’s Gleaner newspaper, Antigua Observer, N.Y. Daily News, U.K.’s Daily Mail, UPI, Inquisitr, Christian Post, KTIC Radio, Cordova Times, Bloomberg News, Business Insider, Times of Malta, CNN Opinion, Wall Street Journal Blog. Newsday, CBC Radio (Canada), American Public Media Market Place, WGN Radio (Chicago) Chicago Tribune, WWL Radio (Miami), CNBC Squawk on the Street, WIOD Radio (Miami) and the Associated Press have all covered Jim’s cases and his client’s causes.

Watch Jim on ABC’s 20/20 program in January 2012 about the Costa Concordia disaster:

Watch Jim on Australia’s Dateline program “Lost at Seas” in March 2012 about cruise ship disappearances: