Walker & O’Neill, P.A. is widely recognized as a leading authority in maritime and admiralty law. Founded by Jim Walker and Lisa O’Neill in 2001, the firm represents cruise ship passengers and crew members worldwide in cases involving crime, illness, injury, and disappearances.

Walker & O’Neill has represented more than 2,500 clients, including over 150 individuals who have been sexually victimized on cruise ships, excursions, and ports of call.

Areas of Focus

Walker & O’Neill has spent more than two decades holding the world’s largest cruise lines accountable. The firm’s practice is focused on the following areas:

  • Passenger Accidents and Injuries – Representing passengers harmed in a wide range of maritime incidents including medical malpractice, slip-and-fall accidents, sexual assaults, disappearances, excursion accidents, and fires.
  • Crew Member Rights and Protection– Fighting for crew members who are abandoned after injury, denied medical care, or subjected to unsafe working conditions and abuse.
  • High-Stakes Litigation and Accountability – Walker & O’Neill takes on the world’s largest cruise corporations in federal courts and international arbitration. Our work has secured landmark verdicts and settlements while holding the industry accountable for unsafe practices. Every case is handled on a contingency basis—no fees unless we succeed.

Notable Cases

Walker and O’Neill has represented the highest-profile maritime cases, with six former clients testifying before the United States Congress regarding cruise ship safety. Some notable cases include:

  • Laurie Dishman vs. Royal Caribbean – Represented the victim in an assault case that resulted in reforms in the cruise industry and the introduction of the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act (CVSSA) of 2010.
  • The “Missing Honeymooner Case” – Represented the widow of George Smith IV, who disappeared from Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas cruise ship.
  • The 2006 Star Princess Fire – Represented the family of Richard Liffridge, who died after a fire destroyed 100 cabins.
President Obama signing the CVSSA into law—after courageous advocacy led by Laurie Dishman, represented by Walker & O’Neill.

In the News

Jim is frequently sought by major news outlets when disasters strike at sea. He has appeared on CNN, PBS, FOX News, and ABC’s 20/20 covering fires, disease outbreaks, collisions, and disappearances. Jim has been featured in leading publications worldwide, including The New York Times, Newsweek, Reuters, Time, Fox News, the Times of Malta, and Travel Weekly.

Jim has solidified his position as one of the most recognized voices on cruise industry safety and accountability with major news and legal publications describing him as:

  • “A Premier Lawyer for Passengers.” – Reuters
  • “Longtime maritime lawyer who represents clients suing cruise lines” – The New York Times
  • “Leading Miami Attorney” – Newsweek Magazine
  • “Prominent Private Practice Maritime Attorney” – Fox News

Cruise Law News Blog

In addition to litigation, Jim is widely known as the cruise industry watchdog.  He has authored over 3,500 articles about the cruise industry through Cruise Law News, one of the most widely read sources on cruise safety, crime, labor rights, and corporate accountability. Jim also shares daily commentary with his 240,000 followers on the firm’s Facebook page.

Cruise Law News has become a trusted resource for passengers, crew members, journalists, and policymakers worldwide, and has been described by international media:

  • “World’s leading reporter on deaths, injuries, and safety matters relating to the cruise industry.” – LexBlog
  • “Maritime lawyer Jim Walker, who has represented numerous cruise passengers and crew members and runs the cruise watchdog blog Cruise Law News” – Time
  • “Industry Watchdog” – Fox News

Our Team

Jim Walker graduated cum laude from Duke University and from Tulane University School of Law in 1983, where he completed Tulane’s renowned admiralty curriculum. He began his career defending cruise lines before changing sides in 2001 to represent passengers and crew members. He has spent more than forty years litigating complex maritime cases and has become one of the most recognized advocates for victims of cruise line negligence.

Lisa O’Neill graduated cum laude from Duke University and cum laude from the University of Florida School of Law in 1985, where she served as Senior Articles Editor of the Law Review and received the Gertrude Brick Award for excellence in legal writing. She began her career in Miami as a commercial real estate lawyer before joining Walker & O’Neill in 2004. Lisa combines her skill in legal writing with a deep compassion for the clients she represents.

Betsy Benitez began her career as a paralegal specializing in personal injury cases before joining Walker & O’Neill as lead paralegal in 2001. She has worked alongside Jim and Lisa for more than two decades supporting maritime injury and wrongful death cases. Her two decades of paralegal experience support every stage of the firm’s litigation.

Professional Associations & Bar Admissions

  • Florida Admiralty Trial Lawyers Association
  • Maritime Law Association of the United States
  • Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
  • Florida Bar Association
  • United States District Court, Southern District of Florida

Contact and Consultation

If you or a loved one has been injured, assaulted, or otherwise harmed at sea, Walker & O’Neill stands ready to advocate for your rights. Contact the firm today for a free confidential consultation.