Tulane Law Student Earns National Recognition for Maritime Law Research

Tulane Law’s strength in maritime law was on full display last week, as second-year law student Jackson Fox brought his academic work to a national stage. Fox traveled to the annual conference hosted by the Connecticut Maritime Association (CMA), where he was invited to present his award-winning paper as part of the CMA Education Foundation’s Business of Shipping Research Competition. 

The CMA is a professional organization made up of members of the shipping community from around the world, from tug-boat operators to lawyers. Each year, the CMA Education Foundation invites submissions from students studying the shipping industry and related fields. Fox’s paper, Can We Really Make American Shipbuilding Great Again? Hanwha Philly Shipyard as a Case Study, earned him third place and a $1,000 prize, distinguishing his work among a highly competitive pool of student researchers. 

As a winner, Fox was invited to Stamford, Connecticut, to present his research at the conference, which brings together more than 1,500 professionals and features over 150 speakers and panelists from across the maritime industry. The event fosters discussion on critical issues shaping global shipping, from supply chain disruptions to regulatory and economic pressures, conversations made even more dynamic as industry leaders grapple with rapidly evolving real-world challenges. 

For Fox, the recognition marks a meaningful step toward his goal of practicing maritime law. Drawing on his prior experience in port and shipping operations, he has long been interested in the complexities of global trade. After graduation, he plans to practice maritime law in New York, where he hopes to use his background, international experience and proficiency in Mandarin Chinese to help clients navigate cross-border shipping disputes and contracts.