Pamela Schultz

Practice Areas

Cyber risks

Fine art and specie

Marine

Product liability and product safety

Professional liability

Insurance coverage

Catastrophic injury

Employers' liability

General liability

Insurance and reinsurance

Shipping and international trade

Transport and logistics

Travel and tourism

Publications

Co-author, “The Supreme Court’s February 2024 decision clarifies the choice-of-law provisions in marine insurance contracts,” published for Kennedys (January 2025)

Co-author, “Ehart v. Lahaina Divers: the Ninth Circuit dives into statutory interpretation,” published for Benedict’s Maritime Bulletin (June 2024)

Co-author, “De Bene Esse Depositions: A Trial Testimony Insurance Policy,” published for Kennedys (May 2023)

Co-author, “California's legislature provides new guidelines and requirements for time-limited demands,” published for Kennedys (January 2023)

Co-author, “Coverage issues raised by cryptocurrency,” published for Kennedys (May 2022)

Personal

Pamela is the firm’s head of US Marine and a partner in the San Francisco office. She specializes in admiralty and maritime law, insurance coverage and product and general liability defense.

Pamela’s experience in admiralty and maritime litigation includes claims involving cargo, personal injury defense, recreational boating, terminals, product liability, charter parties, marine insurance, ship arrests and attachments, collisions and maritime liens. Her clients include London Underwriters, domestic insurers, protection and indemnity clubs and their members, vessel owners, charterers and terminals. Pamela frequently provides insurance coverage advice to both primary and excess marine insurers in the London and domestic market, and also defends insurers in litigation.

Pamela has qualified and testified as an expert witness on United States maritime issues in foreign litigation.

Pamela represents insurers in the London, international and domestic markets, by providing coverage advice to insurers as well as defending coverage and bad faith lawsuits. Pamela also frequently provides advice to insurers relating to policy limits demands and provides an independent analysis of the underlying exposure in connection with that advice. Her experience focuses on liability, property, E&O, D&O, cargo and marine insurance policies.

Pamela is involved in numerous trade and professional associations and recently served a three-year term on the Board of Directors of the Maritime Law Association of the United States.

Work Highlights

Successfully defended shipbuilder contractor in personal injury lawsuit with alleged cognitive disabilities in an issue of first impression in the Ninth Circuit on borrowed servant doctrine.

Obtained decision in favor of maritime lien claimants on an issue of first impression in the Fifth Circuit involving law of advancements.

Obtained favorable settlement in maritime attachment case on behalf of bank, including significant reduction in custodia legis expenses.

Resolved dozens of Rule B attachment claims on behalf of shipowners, charterers and other maritime claimants.

Obtained favorable settlement on behalf of vessel owner defendant in recreational boating accident involving loss of life.

Awards