About Attilio Costabel
Professional & Experienced Maritime Law Academic
Attilio Costabel has dedicated over 60 years to the legal profession, practicing law in both Italy and the United States. He began his career in 1962 in Italy, gaining extensive experience in admiralty, aviation, shipbuilding, insurance, and international contracts. Over the decades, Attilio has represented major international clients, including Lloyds of London, Chevron Oil, Dow Chemical, and prominent Dutch shipyards. In recognition of his contributions to the legal field, he was awarded the prestigious title of Knight of the Republic of Italy (Cavaliere della Repubblica).
Currently, Attilio practices law through his firm, Attilio M. Costabel PA, with offices in Miami, Genoa, and Milan. In addition to his legal practice, he serves as an adjunct faculty member at St. Thomas University School of Law, where he teaches Admiralty Law, Boating and Cruising Law, Marine Insurance, International Business Transactions, and Transnational Litigation. He is also actively involved with the St. Thomas University Marine Society.
The Career of Attilio Costabel
For over six decades, Attilio Costabel has built a distinguished career in both Italian and U.S. legal systems. With a focus on maritime, admiralty, and international law, his journey has spanned multiple countries, prestigious clients, and numerous legal disciplines. Below is a timeline of key milestones that highlight the depth and breadth of his professional experience.
Early Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship at Studio Legale Uckmar, Genoa, Italy. Participated in major litigation, including landmark constitutional tax cases, and assisted with maritime and administrative cases for the Genoa Port Authority.
Legal Practice at Studio Legale Mordiglia
Practiced at Studio Legale Mordiglia, Genoa, Italy. Handled diverse maritime cases in Italy and the UK, including maritime arbitration, discovery, and investigation missions for all major P&I Clubs.
Corporate Lawyer for Grimaldi/SIOSA Group
Served as a corporate lawyer for the Grimaldi/SIOSA Group, Genoa, under the leadership of Dr. Aldo Grimaldi.
Founder of Studio Legale Costabel
Founded and operated Studio Legale Costabel in Genoa, Italy, offering specialized legal services in maritime law.
Expansion to London
Established Studio Legale Costabel in London, UK, with a staffed office at St. Mary Axe and Liverpool Street.
Legal Practice in Miami
Practiced law at Attilio M. Costabel PA, Miami, FL, specializing in maritime and international law.
Partnership with Rick Rumrell
Partnered with Rick Rumrell in Jacksonville at Rumrell, Costabel & Brock, providing extensive legal services across multiple regions.
Founder of Attilio M. Costabel PA
Founder and senior attorney at Attilio M. Costabel PA, with offices in Miami, Genoa, and Milan, providing tailored legal services in maritime, admiralty, and international contracts.
Blockchain Certification
Successfully completed the MIT Sloan Blockchain Technologies: Business Innovation and Application certification.
Professional Affiliations and Leadership Contributions
Attilio Costabel has been an active participant and leader in numerous professional organizations, committees, and industry initiatives, demonstrating his commitment to advancing maritime and international law.
- Italian Chapter and Mexican Chapter of Comité Maritime International
- International Bar Association, Committees A (Admiralty) and H (Insurance)
- Maritime Law Association of the USA (Proctor)
- American Bar Association
- Florida Bar Admiralty Committee
- Founder of the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce South East
- Active participant in the Florida Bar Task Force for Drafting Florida International Arbitration Act
- American Arbitration Association: Completed mediation course, listed on AAA roster of Arbitrators, and served on the panel of large international disputes
- Vice Chair, Admiralty Committee of Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section (TIPS)
- Co-Chair, International Transportation Committee (SIL)
- Full Member of Institute Ibero-Americano de Derecho Maritimo (Mexico)
- Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London: Panelist at New York Maritime Arbitrators' meeting (October 1982) and Monte Carlo (October 1983)
Insights & Expertise
Attilio Costabel has been a distinguished figure in maritime law for decades, sharing his vast knowledge through presentations, seminars, and published works. His contributions to the legal community span across international conferences and leading industry journals, where he provides invaluable insights on complex maritime issues. Whether presenting on maritime torts, arbitration, or environmental accountability, or authoring scholarly articles, Attilio’s expertise continues to shape the future of maritime legal practice.
ABA Transportation Spring Meeting
Washington DC, 2017
Presentation on key transportation issues impacting the maritime industry, addressing regulatory challenges and emerging trends.
Accessing the Americas: Contracts of Distributorship in the Global Economy of the American Hemisphere
ABA Fall Meeting, Miami, 2017
A comprehensive discussion on the complexities of distributorship contracts within the growing economies of the Americas.
Dispute Resolution in International Sales Between Cuba and CISG Convention Countries
ABA Fall Meeting, Miami, 2017
Exploring the legal framework for resolving international sales disputes between Cuba and CISG convention member countries.
Emerging Topics in the Maritime Industry: Unmanned Vessels, Smart Ships, and Automated Technology
Washington DC, 2017
An in-depth presentation on the future of maritime automation and technology, covering smart ships and unmanned vessels.
Second Annual Admiralty Law Update and Review
Miami, 2018
A focused review of the latest developments in admiralty law, including recent cases and evolving industry regulations.
30 Remote Print Manufacturing: A New Global Frontier for IP, IT, Transport, and Trade Law
ABA 2018 Mexico City Conference
Exploring how remote print manufacturing is reshaping the landscape of intellectual property, information technology, and international trade law.
Admiralty Disruption Industry Presentation
ABA-TIPS Admiralty & Maritime Law Committee, New Orleans, 2019
Discussing disruptive forces in the admiralty and maritime law industry, with a focus on technology-driven changes.
Third Annual Admiralty Law Update and Review
Miami, 2019
An in-depth review of the most recent legal developments in admiralty law, addressing cases and regulatory changes from the past year.
Blockchain Technology and Digital Crypto-Assets: Temporary Hype or the Dawn of a New Era of Disruptive Technologies?
ABA Section International Law, CLE Program #1
A comprehensive exploration of the implications of blockchain technology and crypto-assets for the legal profession.
Digital and Crypto Assets, Distributed Ledger Technology, and Smart Contracts in Legal Practice, International Trade, and Transportation Logistics
ABA Section International Law, CLE Program #2
Analyzing the intersection of digital assets, distributed ledger technology, and smart contracts in international trade and maritime logistics.
CMI Colloquium
Mexico City, 2019
Presenting on key developments in maritime law, with a focus on international regulation and industry trends.
Time Lost In Waiting For Berth To Count As Laytime – Considerations On English And Italian Judgments 🔗
Lloyd’s Maritime And Commercial Law Quarterly, 1974
A discussion on the implications of time lost while waiting for berths and its impact on laytime, comparing English and Italian judgments.
Maritime Law Uniformity And Federalism After Yamaha V. Dohsa Amendment: For Whom The Bell Tolls? 🔗
Saint Thomas Law Review, Winter 2001
An exploration of the impact of the Yamaha decision on maritime law uniformity and federalism.
The “Himalaya” Clause Crosses Privity’s Far Frontier: Norfolk Southern Railway Co. v. James N. Kirby 🔗
Journal Of Maritime Law And Commerce, April 2005
An analysis of the Himalaya clause and its implications on privity in maritime contracts.
Attention Plaintiffs: Admiralty Law Has Landed (And Taken Off Also)
Florida Bar International Law Quarterly, Winter 2005
A review of how admiralty law has evolved in response to the expansion of air and sea transportation.
Himalaya Strain? A Forensic Examination Of Norfolk Southern Railway Co v. James N. Kirby
Tulane Maritime Law Journal, Summer 2005
A forensic look into the landmark case and its broader implications for maritime law.
One Hundred And Sixty Years Of Solitude: Limitation Of Liability And Fairness In Admiralty Acts 🔗
Journal Of Maritime Law And Commerce, October 2011
A critical analysis of the limitation of liability in admiralty law over the past 160 years.
US Admiralty Law Update
Riv Dir Nav, 2011 Issue
A comprehensive update on recent developments in U.S. admiralty law.
Tracking The Rotterdam Rules: Landfall Or Fizzle?
ABA Admiralty And Maritime Law Committee, Fall 2011
An exploration of the impact of the Rotterdam Rules on international shipping and transportation law.
Waiting For Gaudet: Charting A Course After Atlantic Sounding Co v. Townsend 🔗
St Thomas Law Review, Summer 2012
A post-Townsend analysis on how the ruling affects maritime claims for maintenance and cure.
Italian Tort Remedies: Are We Still In Kansas, Toto?
ABA Tips Admiralty And Maritime Law Committee, Titanic And Concordia Special Edition, April 2012
A comparative look at Italian tort remedies and how they differ from U.S. maritime practices.
Shore Accidents And Duty To Warn
Benedict Admiralty Bulletin, 2013
An article exploring the duty to warn in shore-based maritime accidents.
Class Actions In The United States: A Room With A View 🔗
Rivista Del Diritto Della Navigazione, 2013
An in-depth look at class actions in the U.S., particularly as they apply to maritime law.
The UK Insurance Act 2015: A Restatement Of Marine Insurance Law 🔗
St Thomas Law Review, Summer 2015
A review of the UK Insurance Act and its effects on marine insurance law.
Recent Developments In Admiralty And Maritime Law
Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Law Journal, Winter 2016
An overview of the latest developments in admiralty and maritime law, focusing on torts and insurance practices.
International Sales Under The CISG Convention In Cuba 🔗
International Law Quarterly, 2016
A discussion of how the CISG convention applies to international sales in Cuba and its legal implications.
Maritime Law And Practice (5th Edition)
Publication Of The Florida Bar, Update 2016
Co-editor of the 5th edition, focusing on charter parties and the sale of vessels.
Outline Of Cuban Maritime Law
ABA Tips Admiralty Committee, October 2016
A detailed outline of the Cuban maritime legal framework, including key regulations and international considerations.
Children Of Lesser Lanes: Punitive Damages In Unseaworthiness
St Thomas Law Review, 2016
An analysis of punitive damages in unseaworthiness claims and their place in maritime law.
Punitive Damages In Unseaworthiness: A Solution In Search Of A Problem 🔗
Journal Of Maritime Law And Commerce, 2018
An exploration of punitive damages in unseaworthiness cases and their implications for the maritime industry.
Transnational Punitive and Compensatory Damages: Villains or Role Models? 🔗
32 St. Thomas L. Rev. 103, Spring 2020
A comparative study of punitive and compensatory damages across jurisdictions, questioning the fairness and consistency of global legal standards.
28 USC § 1782 in Aid of Foreign Arbitration: “A Tribunal by Any Other Name” 🔗
34 St. Thomas L. Rev. 1, Fall 2021
An analysis of the use of 28 USC § 1782 to assist foreign arbitration tribunals and its impact on international arbitration proceedings.
Utmost Good Faith in Marine Insurance—The Reports of My Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated 🔗
46 Tul. Mar. L.J. 115, Winter 2022
A comprehensive review of the principle of utmost good faith in marine insurance law and the current state of its application.
55 Year in Rev. (ABA) 147 🔗
The Year in Review (ABA), 2021
Co-authored contributions to the annual review of international transportation law, examining the most important legal developments.
56 Year in Rev. (ABA) 115 🔗
The Year in Review (ABA), 2021
Continued co-authorship in reviewing critical updates in international transportation law.
57 Year in Rev. (ABA) 151 🔗
The Year in Review (ABA), 2023
The latest edition reviewing recent developments in international transportation law.
In The Making: ABA Tips Manual On Damages In Maritime Law
(Assigned To Marine Insurance)
An upcoming publication focusing on the assessment and calculation of damages in maritime insurance claims.
Legal Assistance in Maritime and International Law
With over six decades of experience across multiple industries, Attilio Costabel PA provides tailored legal strategies and solutions. Whether you’re facing a complex maritime case, international contract disputes, or need advice on aviation and shipbuilding, we’re here to help you navigate the legal landscape with confidence.