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
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11 tips to survive your freshman year as an associate
April 8, 2021 -
Does the standard Virus Exclusion in an all-risk policy cover government-ordered COVID-19 shutdowns? Judges in the EDVA disagree.
December 11, 2020 -
Magistrate Judge Leonard holds that the FRCP Require Parties to Sign Authorizations
November 26, 2020 -
Non-EDVA Opinion of the Month: Candy Sticks and the 3rd Circuit
November 19, 2020 -
To Lawyers, “R&R” Doesn’t Only Refer to Rest and Relaxation
November 12, 2020 -
LOCAL FBA CHAPTER ANNUAL MEETING on November 10, 2020
November 5, 2020 -
BOOOOO!
October 31, 2020 -
OYSTER FIGHT!
October 24, 2020 -
Let Your Fingers Fly—At Least in North Carolina
October 17, 2020 -
The Power of the Court Compels You: The Frequency and Result of Motions to Compel in the Norfolk and Newport News Divisions of the Eastern District of Virginia
October 12, 2020
Featured Posts
Speaking Engagements
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Virginia CLE | The Rocket Docket: Trying Cases in the Eastern District of Virginia
March 22, 2023
Recognition
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71 WRVB Attorneys Named to 2023 “Legal Elite” and Five Named as Rising Stars
December 1, 2023 -
26 WRVB Attorneys Named “Top Lawyers” for Norfolk, Coastal Virginia Magazine
January 24, 2023 -
70 WRVB Attorneys Named to 2022 “Legal Elite”
November 29, 2022 -
Vandeventer Black Attorneys Recognized as 2022 Top Lawyers of Coastal Virginia
January 1, 2022 -
Five Attorneys Named 2021 Virginia Super Lawyers ‘Rising Stars’
May 6, 2021 -
Vandeventer Black Attorneys Selected as 2020 Legal Elite
November 30, 2020 -
Vandeventer Black Attorneys Named 2020 Virginia Super Lawyers ‘Rising Stars’
May 7, 2020 -
Vandeventer Black Attorneys Recognized as 2020 Top Lawyers of Coastal Virginia
November 25, 2019 -
Vandeventer Black Attorneys Named 2019 Virginia Super Lawyers ‘Rising Stars’
April 26, 2019 -
Vandeventer Black Attorneys Named 2018 Virginia Super Lawyers ‘Rising Stars’
May 10, 2018 -
Twenty-two Vandeventer Black Attorneys Recognized as Top Lawyers
December 14, 2017 -
Vandeventer Black Recognized as a Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year
October 19, 2017 -
VANDEVENTER BLACK ATTORNEYS NAMED VIRGINIA SUPER LAWYERS “RISING STARS”
February 28, 2017