Frederick B. Goldsmith

Phone: (412) 281-4340
Fax: (412) 281-4347

Mr. Goldsmith is the managing member and a co-founder of the firm. He has practiced in the areas of Admiralty & Maritime, Insurance Coverage, Personal Injury, Commercial Litigation, and Products Liability since 1991, both as outside counsel with firms in Houston, Texas, and Pittsburgh, and as Vice President & General Counsel of The Great Lakes Towing Company and affiliates, operators of a fleet of 50 harbor and oceangoing tugs in 40 commercial and military ports across the country.

Mr. Goldsmith is “AV” rated by Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory and has been named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer^SM in Transportation/Maritime Law by Philadelphia and Law & Politics magazines annually since 2006. He obtained his B.A. and J.D. degrees from Tulane University in 1983 and 1990, respectively. Following graduation from law school he served as law clerk to the Honorable Howell Cobb, U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Texas.

Between college and law school he served as a general assignment and medical beat reporter, then chief photographer, in the news department of KAMR-TV, the NBC affiliate in Amarillo, Texas. He then worked as a New England Emmy Award-nominated cameraman and “live” truck operator for WLVI-TV’s “The News at Ten” in Boston, Massachusetts.

Mr. Goldsmith has published numerous articles on admiralty and maritime law and courtroom tactics in legal and maritime industry publications including the Tulane Maritime Law Journal, For the Defense, Pennsylvania Law Weekly, WorkBoat, MarineNews, and Gulf Shipper. He also speaks frequently on these topics before legal and maritime industry groups. He is a graduate of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy's intensive 8-day trial skills program.

In 1997, Mr. Goldsmith originated AdmiraltyUpdate (formerly known as MarineLegalUpdate), an e-newsletter on developments in U.S. Coast Guard regulations and state and federal court decisions of interest to the commercial and recreational marine communities. It is now collaboratively produced by the firm and has over 4,000 subscribers. You can subscribe from the AdmiraltyUpdate page on this website.

Mr. Goldsmith is active in the Allegheny County Bar Association (serving as Treasurer of the Federal Court Section Council and a member of the Court Rules Committee), a Proctor Member of The Maritime Law Association of the United States (serving on the Inland River Practice, Marine Torts and Casualties, and Recreational Boating Committees), the Defense Research Institute (serving on the Admiralty Committee and the Trial Tactics Committee), and a former member of the Pittsburgh and W. Edward Sell Chapters of the American Inns of Court. He is a current member of the Board of Directors of the Pittsburgh Maritime Club and a former member of the Board of Directors of the Waterways Association of Pittsburgh.

Mr. Goldsmith is licensed to practice in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and Texas. He is a member of the bar of several federal trial and appellate courts, and practices before various federal agencies.

Reported Decisions

Tugz International, L.L.C. v. Canaveral Port Authority, 2004 WL 1368689 (M.D.Fla. April 07, 2004)
In re Complaint of J.A.R. Barge Lines, L.P., 307 F.Supp.2d 668, 2004 A.M.C. 359 (W.D.Pa.2004)
In re Complaint of J.A.R. Barge Lines, L.P., 2005 WL 642700 (W.D.Pa.2005)
Buschmeier v. G & G Investments, Inc., 2005 WL 2545296 (W.D.Pa.2005)

Maritime Publications

“The Difference between State and Federal Court,” MarineNews Magazine (April 2008)
"Maritime Salvage: Ancient Origins, Modern Applications," MarineNews Magazine (January 2008)
"The Other Side's Lawyer Wants to Take Your Deposition--Now What?," MarineNews Magazine (November 2007)
"Top Ten List of Claim-Related Mistakes to Avoid," MarineNews Magazine (October 2007)
"Act of God: A Difficult Defense to Float," MarineNews Magazine (August 2007)
"What Your Lawyer Will Tell You After a Barge Breakaway," MarineNews Magazine (November 2002)
"River Pilot, Marine Surveyor, and Third-Party Inspector Liability," Tulane Maritime Law Journal, Volume 26, No. 2 (Spring 2002)
"Marine Surveyor Liability," NAMS News, The Journal of the National Association of Marine Surveyors, Inc., Volume 40, No. 1 (Spring 2002)
"Legal Talk: Alternative Dispute Resolution: Part 2 (Arbitration)," WorkBoat Magazine, Vol. 57, No. 7 (July 2000)
"Legal Talk: Alternative Dispute Resolution: Part 1 (Mediation)," WorkBoat Magazine, Vol. 57, No. 6 (June 2000)
"Admiralty & Maritime Law: Questions & Answers for the Allegheny County Lawyer," Lawyers Journal, Vol. 2, No. 10 (May 19, 2000)(published by the Allegheny County Bar Association)
"Legal Talk: Maritime Products Liability," WorkBoat Magazine, Vol. 57, No. 5 (May 2000)
"Legal Talk: When are Vessels Liable for Wake Damage?," WorkBoat Magazine, Vol. 57, No. 4 (April 2000)
"Legal Talk: Filing a USCG Accident Report," WorkBoat Magazine, Vol. 57, No. 3 (March 2000)
"Admiralty & Maritime Law in West Virginia: A Field Guide to Spotting the Issues," The Advocate (published by the West Virginia Trial Lawyers Association) (Winter 2000)
"Legal Talk: How to be a Good Witness," WorkBoat Magazine, Vol. 57, No. 2 (February 2000)
"Legal Talk: Vessel Injury Claims: The Basics," WorkBoat Magazine, Vol. 57, No. 1 (January 2000)
"Admiralty & Maritime Law in Western Pennsylvania: A Field Guide to Spotting the Issues," The Advocate (published by the Western Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association), Vol. 12, Nos. 2 & 3 (November/December 1999 & January/February 2000)
"USCG Reopens S&R Actions Comment Period," WorkBoat Magazine, Vol. 56, No. 12 (December 1999)
"Legal Talk: Barge Breakaway Liability," WorkBoat Magazine, Vol. 56, No. 12 (December 1999)
"Report All Oil Spills, Attorneys Warn," WorkBoat Magazine, Vol. 56, No. 11 (November 1999)
"Legal Talk: Good Samaritans are Vulnerable to Lawsuits," WorkBoat Magazine, Vol. 56, No. 11 (November 1999)
"Legal Talk: Maritime Salvage: Large Rewards for Large Risks," WorkBoat Magazine, Vol. 56, No. 10 (October 1999)
"Legal Talk: When Does OSHA Have Jurisdiction?," WorkBoat Magazine, Vol. 56, No. 9 (September 1999)
"Legal Talk: Floating Casinos: What Duty of Care is Owed to Employees?," WorkBoat Magazine, Vol. 56, No. 8 (August 1999)
"Legal Talk: Rules of the Road," WorkBoat Magazine, Vol. 56, No. 7 (July 1999)
"Inland Insider: Big Changes in License Suspension Procedures Loom," WorkBoat Magazine, Vol. 56, No. 6 (June 1999)
"Admiralty and Maritime Law: More Rules of the Road for Practice in the Largest Inland Port in the Country," Sole & Small Firm Practitioner (published by the Allegheny County Bar Association) (May 1998)
"Admiralty and Maritime Law: Some Rules of the Road for Practice in the Largest Inland Port in the Country," Sole & Small Firm Practitioner (published by the Allegheny County Bar Association)(February 1998)
"The Limitation of Vessel Owners' Liability Act: Third Circuit Holds This Anachronism Still Floats (and Can Sink a Plaintiff's Case)," Pennsylvania Law Weekly, Vol. XX, No. 45 (November 10, 1997)
" U.S. Supreme Court Narrows the Channel to Jones Act Seaman Status," Pittsburgh Legal Journal, Vol. 123, No. 130 (July 11, 1997)
"Developments in Maritime Law: Intravenous Drug Use and Other Exceptions to a Seaman's Right to Medical Care From His Employer," Gulf Shipper Magazine (September 1996)
"Developments in Maritime Law: The Shipowners' Limitation of Liability Act," Gulf Shipper Magazine (April 1996)
"Developments in Maritime Law: Texas Court Narrows Seaman Status Definition," Gulf Shipper Magazine (January 1996)
"Developments in Maritime Law: U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Foreign Arbitration Clauses in Bills of Lading," Gulf Shipper Magazine (October 1995)
"Developments in Maritime Law: Punitive Damages No Longer Available in U.S. Fifth Circuit for Employer's Failure to Pay Maintenance and Cure to an Injured Seaman," Gulf Shipper Magazine (September 1995)
"Developments in Maritime Law: Floating Dockside Casinos: Are Bartenders and Cocktail Waitresses Jones Act Seamen?," Gulf Shipper Magazine (August 1995)
"Developments in Maritime Law: Carriage of Goods by Sea Act: Vessel Owner May be Liable for Cargo Damage," Gulf Shipper Magazine (July 1995)

Miscellaneous Publications

"Preparing and Delivering an Effective Opening Statement," For the Defense (March 2001) (published by the Defense Research Institute)
"Bringing James Carville into the Courtroom: Trial and Litigation Techniques," Trials & Tribulations, (Spring 2000) published by the Trial Tactics and Techniques Committee of The Defense Research Institute)
"Allegheny County Gears Up for Electronic Filing," Lawyers Journal (published by the Allegheny County Bar Association) (July 16, 1999)
"Online Research: A Review of Westlaw PRO vs. LEXIS MVP Advantage," Sole & Small Firm Practitioner (published by the Allegheny County Bar Association) (February 1999)
"Bringing James Carville into the Courtroom: Trial and Litigation Techniques," Sole & Small Firm Practitioner (published by the Allegheny County Bar Association) (November 1998)
"Business Development: How to be a Unique Crawfish," Sole & Small Firm Practitioner (published by the Allegheny County Bar Association) (November 1997)

Speaking

"'Equitable' or Ambiguous Words Now, Can Sour Business and Insurer/Insured Relationships Later: Indemnity Agreements and Insurance Clauses in Maritime Contracts," Viewpoints 2007, Association of Average Adjusters of the United States, St. John’s University, New York, NY (October 3, 2007).
"Improving Your Trial Advocacy: How to Effectively Navigate the New Electronic Courtrooms," Continuing Legal Education seminar jointly presented by the Federal Court Section of the Allegheny County Bar Association and the Judges of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania (September 18, 2007).
"New U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals Civil Pattern Jury Instructions," Continuing Legal Education seminar presented by the Federal Court Section Council of the Allegheny County Bar Association (March 29, 2007)
Panelist, "Demystifying the Federal Grand Jury," Federal Court Sound-Off/Workshop, 44th Annual Allegheny County Bar Association Bench-Bar Conference (June 16, 2006)
"Why You Really Want to Avoid a Barge Breakaway," Waterways Association of Pittsburgh Annual Barge Breakaway Seminar (September 20, 2005)
"After the Barge Breakaway: Questions For and Answers From an Admiralty & Maritime Lawyer," Waterways Association of Pittsburgh Annual Barge Breakaway Seminar (September 30, 2004)
"After the Barge Breakaway: Questions For and Answers From an Admiralty & Maritime Lawyer," Waterways Association of Pittsburgh Annual Barge Breakaway Seminar (September 18, 2003)
"What Your Lawyer Will Tell You After a Barge Breakaway," Huntington (WV) District Waterways Association (October 16, 2002)
"What Your Lawyer Will Tell You After a Barge Breakaway," Waterways Association of Pittsburgh Annual Barge Breakaway Seminar (September 26, 2002)
"Liability of River Pilots, Marine Surveyors, and Third Party Inspectors," Greater New Orleans Barge Fleeting Association's 2001 River and Marine Industry Seminar (December 12-14, 2001)
"Legal Aspects of Barge Breakaways: The Terminal Operator's or Fleeter's Duty of Care," Waterways Association of Pittsburgh Annual Barge Breakaway Seminar (October 27, 1999)
Civil Rules Update panel member, Allegheny County Bar Association Bench-Bar Conference (June 18, 1999)
”Admiralty & Maritime Law: A Primer on Inland Marine Practice," (continuing legal education seminar) presented at the Community College of Allegheny County (November 17, 1998)
"Legal Aspects of Barge Breakaways: Some Words to Remember," Waterways Association of Pittsburgh Annual Barge Breakaway Seminar (October 21, 1998)
"Communicating with the Media After a Casualty: the Experiences of Ashland Inc. and Buffalo Marine Service," Mariner's Club of Pittsburgh (March 30, 1998)
"Legal and Practical Aids to Navigation Before and During a News Conference," Pittsburgh Maritime Club (February 19, 1998)
"Highlights of the Greater New Orleans Barge Fleeting Association's 1997 River & Marine Industry Seminar and other Recent Developments in Maritime Law," Waterways Association of Pittsburgh (October 8, 1997)

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