John Giffin

John Giffin has been a shareholder with Keesal, Young & Logan since 1984.  Mr. Giffin is the senior maritime lawyer in the firm’s San Francisco office.  As such he is responsible for supervising all of the firm’s marine work in that office.  The San Francisco office routinely represents vessel interests in legal matters involving the operation and management of ships of all types and sizes.  This includes representing vessel owners and managers in personal injury claims, cargo claims, and casualties, including groundings, collisions, and oil spills.

The San Francisco office, under Mr. Giffin’s supervision, also represents vessel interests in regulatory matters initiated by federal and state agencies including the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the State of California Office of Spill Prevention and Response.

Mr. Giffin’s work includes representing clients in state and federal trial courts as well as in the appellate courts, including the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the California District Courts of Appeal.

Prior to joining Keesal, Young & Logan in 1979, Mr. Giffin served in the United States Navy as a Deck Officer as well as a Chief Engineer.

Mr. Giffin is originally from Newfoundland, Canada. He received his undergraduate degree at the University of Oklahoma and his law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.

Mr. Giffin has given seminars and written articles on various marine topics including the intermodal transportation of goods, United States port state control issues, vessel safety issues (including the prevention of, and investigation of, shipboard accidents), and vessel compliance with U.S. statutes and regulations concerning engine room pollution abatement equipment.

Practice Areas

• Environmental
• Maritime