Overview
James Bailey is a Partner in our Houston office.
His practice focuses primarily on litigation and arbitration related to all matters of maritime law. He regularly represents vessel owners, managers, operators, P&I clubs and marine insurers in marine casualty losses and contract disputes including collisions, allisions, cargo damage and loss, charter party disputes, regulatory and environmental matters, oil and hazardous materials pollution and personal injury. Additionally, he is experienced in handling vessel arrests and attachments.
James has a leading role in the firm’s emergency response and incident investigation practice. He has directed, coordinated and managed the response to federal and local agency investigations into notable marine casualty events including the following:
- Collision with shrimping vessel near Galveston Jetties w/ crew overboard/rescue (2025)
- Allision and pollution incident at Galveston layberth (2025)
- Pollution following allision with bridge (2024)
- CBP investigation into absconders (2024)
- Crewmember fatality and resulting U.S. Coast Guard investigation (2023)
- Allision during outbound transit Houston Ship Channel (2023)
- Collision with tug assist while entering Barbours Cut Terminal (2022)
- Allision where vessel was set-down in heavy winds (2022)
- Removal of Master under psychological distress (2022)
- Over-pressurization in engine room causing serious injury (2021)
- Collision with vessel in zero visibility with fatalities (2020)
- Over-pressurization of vessel’s cargo tanks during discharge (2019)
- Collision involving alleged embarrassment to navigation (2019)
- Investigation into discovery of stowaways (2018)
- Stevedore fatality arising from shifting steel cargo aboard a bulk carrier (2018)
- U.S. Coast investigation into alleged MARPOL violations (2017)
- Allision and fire aboard a chemical tanker near ITC Terminal (2016)
- Release of caustic soda from a chemical tanker at Port of Lake Charles, Louisiana (2016)
- Explosion and fire aboard a LPG tanker during cargo transfer (2015)
- Collision between a chemical tanker and bulk carrier causing pollution event (2015)
- Crane failure aboard general cargo vessel and damage to cargo of LNG equipment (2014)
James has successfully tried numerous maritime cases in both Texas state and federal courts and has significant appellate experience in the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Texas Supreme Court and the intermediate Texas Court of Appeals.
Outside of the office, James spends his time with family; he has been married to his spouse for over 25 years and is the proud father of six children. When not busy attending vessels or investigating maritime incidents, he is attending his kids’ soccer, baseball, tennis, football, and rugby games/matches.
Professional Information & Education
Practice Areas
- Admiralty and Maritime
- Transportation
- Environmental and Toxic Torts
- Personal Injury Defense
- Appellate
Education
- JD, South Texas College of Law
- BA, English, Trinity University
Court Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- U.S. District Courts for Southern, Eastern, Western and Northern Districts of Texas
- Texas Supreme Court
Certifications
- State Bar of Texas
Honors and Distinctions
- Best Lawyers in America in Admiralty and Maritime Law, Product Liability Litigation, and Transportation Law
- Texas Super Lawyer in Maritime and Transportation Law
- Texas Rising Star
Professional Memberships
- U.S. Fifth Circuit Bar Association
- Houston Mariners Club, Past Skipper