Kaufman Dolowich Adds Partner to Maritime Law Practice
Transportation firms can now leverage expanded counsel for cargo loss and liability disputes across state and federal courts.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in People
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Kaufman Dolowich has expanded its maritime and admiralty practice with the appointment of partner Joseph B. Staph. Staph will split his time between the firm's New York City and Hackensack, New Jersey offices.
Why it matters
The addition signals a strategic focus on expanding legal counsel for transportation and cargo disputes. Business owners in the maritime sector rely on such specialized practices to navigate complex domestic and international liability frameworks.
Kaufman Dolowich added one partner to its maritime legal team, joining a specialized practice that handles high-stakes insurance subrogation and wrongful death claims.
The players
Joseph B. Staph
An attorney specializing in maritime and admiralty law who handles complex transportation disputes, wrongful death cases, and international arbitration.
Kaufman Dolowich
A national law firm with headquarters on Long Island, offering broad litigation and business legal services across various industry sectors.
Gino Zonghetti
A legal practitioner at Kaufman Dolowich who works within the firm's maritime practice and now collaborates with Staph.
The details
Staph represents clients across state and federal courts as well as in domestic and international arbitration proceedings. His practice focuses on liability and loss mitigation for transportation-related disputes, including cargo loss and personal injury cases. By joining the firm, Staph integrates his work with the existing maritime team to leverage Kaufman Dolowich's broader legal network and resources.
Timeline
October 26, 2026: Joseph B. Staph officially joined the firm.
Market Landscape
The hiring reflects a push to deepen specialized expertise consistent with the professional benchmarks established by the Maritime Law Association of the United States. Firms increasingly consolidate niche legal talent to better defend clients against rising maritime insurance and liability costs.
Operators in the maritime and transportation sectors should review their current insurance subrogation and cargo liability agreements to assess potential gaps. New legal capacity in this niche provides a signal to evaluate whether your current counsel aligns with evolving international arbitration requirements.
The takeaway
Specialized maritime counsel helps business operators manage the financial risks associated with cargo loss and complex liability disputes. Review your current legal coverage for transportation risks before the start of the next fiscal quarter to ensure alignment with international maritime standards.
Further reading
For additional insights on industry talent trends, visit People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by LawFuel.
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