Dustin is a skilled litigator and problem solver committed to delivering creative solutions for clients in and out of court. Leveraging deep legal experience and strong business instincts, he advocates for maritime and transportation companies in Virginia state and federal courts. Active in Virginia’s Eastern District and lifelong student of the law, Dustin has become a go-to for procedural guidance in the infamous Rocket Docket.

Maritime and Transportation Law 

Dustin’s leads the firm’s Transportation Practice Group and is a local correspondent for many members of the International Group of P&I Clubs.  Through his maritime practice, he frequently represents vessel operators in personal injury suits and shipping lines in cargo and commercial disputes.  He has successfully represented multiple clients in trial and appeal courts on maritime lien issues. Through his participation and various leadership roles in the Transportation Lawyers Association, the Maritime Law Association, the Southeast Admiralty Law Institute, the Virginia Maritime Association, and the Virginia Bar Association Transportation Law Section, Dustin stays apprised of the current legal landscape and ongoing developments in the transportation industry.

Other Commercial Litigation

In addition to his maritime practice, Dustin maintains a diverse commercial litigation practice and is frequently called upon to defend land-based personal injury suits.  He has an aptitude for understanding the business realities of a conflict and seeking creative resolutions in lieu of prolonged litigation.  When litigation is unavoidable, Dustin has the experience to bring a case to verdict, through appeal, and beyond.

Because of his diverse practice, Dustin is a trusted resource as local counsel for many of the nation’s largest firms and national companies for cases in the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA). Dustin has appeared in more than 90 cases in the district covering a wide variety of topics including patent, antitrust, employment, and contract matters.  He has provided advice in countless other cases for which he has not entered an appearance.

Dustin serves as president of the local chapter of the Federal Bar Association. He devotes significant time to studying and monitoring the filings, orders, and opinions of the local federal court.  Drawing on this knowledge, he educates local practitioners about practice and procedure before the court and serves as a resource for lawyers nationwide on filing, prosecuting, and trying cases in the Rocket Docket.

Representative Matters

RLI Ins. Co. v. Nexus Servs., Inc., No. 5:18-CV-00066, 2023 WL 3802002 (W.D. Va. June 2, 2023) where he doggedly pursued post-collection efforts seeking millions of dollars against a judgment debtor despite multiple findings of contempt and discovery abuses by the debtor.

Sing Fuels Pte Ltd. v. M/V Lila Shanghai, 39 F.4th 263 (4th Cir. 2022) where he defeated a maritime lien claim, defended the decision on appeal, and subsequently won an international anti-suit injunction to prevent further harassment of his shipowner client. His oral argument is here and West of England’s coverage of the dispute is here.

Fid. & Deposit Co. of Maryland v. Ramsgate Corp., Inc., No. 2:19-CV-567, 2020 WL 5604823 (E.D. Va. Sept. 18, 2020) where he won summary judgment on behalf of a bonding company against a guarantor on development bond claims.

W. C. English, Inc. v. Rummel, Klepper & Kahl, LLP, 934 F.3d 398 (4th Cir. 2019) where he was engaged as appellate counsel to argue before the Fourth Circuit, and then as subsequent trial counsel, obtained one of the 10 largest jury verdicts in the Commonwealth of Virginia in 2021. His oral argument audio is here.

Scott v. Virginia Port Auth. Et. al., No. 2:17CV176, 2018 WL 1508592 (E.D. Va. Mar. 27, 2018) where he won a Motion to Dismiss employment claims brought against a marine terminal operator.

Coutlakis v. CSX Transportation, Inc., 293 Va. 212, 796 S.E.2d 556 (2017) where he argued before the Supreme Court of Virginia on the last clear chance doctrine. His oral argument audio is here.

Rabenstine v. National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, Inc. et al., Case No. 4:14-cv-78, 2015 WL 3470191 (E.D. Va. 2015): where he obtained summary judgment on behalf of a law enforcement officer asserting unique application of qualified immunity doctrine to vessel operation.

World Fuel Servs. Trading, DMCC v. Hebei Prince Shipping Co., 783 F.3d 507 (4th Cir. 2015) where he won summary judgment on behalf of a fuel supplier seeking to enforce a maritime lien and subsequently defended that decision on appeal.

Attorney Perspectives

Featured Posts

Speaking Engagements

  • Virginia CLE | The Rocket Docket: Trying Cases in the Eastern District of Virginia
    March 22, 2023

Recognition