Biography

Mr. Rodriguez is a partner of the law firm Fowler Rodriguez Valdes-fauli, resident in its New Orleans office.  He has extensive experience in all aspects of maritime law, with particular emphasis on collision, other significant shipping and pollution casualties, limitation of liability, environmental regulation, maritime products liability, vessel construction and repair, cargo and chartering disputes. He is an internationally recognized expert on the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and CERCLA, subjects upon which he has written and lectured extensively.

Mr. Rodriguez was born in New Orleans, Louisiana.  he graduated from the US Naval Academy with merit and from Loyola University School of Law cum laude.  He served as Associate Editor of the Loyola Law Review, 1971-1973.  Since 1981, he has served on the adjunct faculty at Tulane Law School, teaching courses in the Law of Collision, Limitation of Liability, and Oil Pollution.

He has written extensively on maritime and environmental topics, including: Chapter IX, Vol. 3 "Marine Oil Pollution," Benedict on Admiralty, 1995-present; "How to Minimize Your Exposure: Practical Strategies in the Defense of Marine Pollution Claims," Environmental Claims Journal, 1993; and as co-author: "The Oil Pollution Act of l990," 15 Tulane Maritime Law Journal 1, 1990; "Overview of U.S. Law of Shipowners' Limitation of Liability," Maritime Law Association Reports (1991) (Reprinted, II Diritto Marittimo, Genoa, Italy (1992); "The International Safety Management (ISM) Code: A New Level of Uniformity," 73 Tulane Law Review 1585, 1999.

Mr. Rodriguez is a member of the following bar associations: New Orleans, Louisiana State (Section on Environmental Law), Federal and American (Committee on Admiralty and Maritime Litigation and Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law and Sub-Committees on Collision Litigation and Limitation of Liability).  He is a member of the Louisiana State Law Institute; Fellow, Louisiana Bar Foundation; Maritime Law Association of the United States (Committees on Navigation and Coast Guard Matters and Limitation of Liability; Chairman, International Safety Management (ISM) Code Study Group); Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute; Associate Member - Association of Average Adjusters of the United States; Annual Subscriber - Association of Average Adjusters (U.K.). National Navigation Safety Advisory Council (formerly the Rules of the Road Advisory Council)(21 members) under appointment from the U.S. Secretary of Transportation (Chairman - 1990 to 1994) (Member - 1987-1990; 2000-present). U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S.CoastGuard)-"Distinguished Public Service Award" - 1993.

Mr. Rodriguez is named in Who's Who in American Law; Who's Who in America. Listed in The Best Lawyers in America, 2008, 2009, 2010; Guide to the Leading US Lawyers - Best of the Best USA 2007; Euromoney's Guide to the World's Leading Shipping & Maritime Lawyers; and Marquis' Who's Who in the World, 2007.

Mr. Rodriguez served in the United States Navy - Active Duty (1966-1970), Reserve Duty (1970 to 1995); Captain, U.S. Naval Reserve (Ret.).