James H. Hohenstein

James H. Hohenstein is a founding partner of Hohenstein & Parkinson, LLP with a nationwide and international maritime practice. He represents shipowners, charterers, marine underwriters, financial institutions, and other clients in casualty, charter party, cargo defense, maritime lien, bankruptcy, business law, and marine insurance matters. His work includes litigation, alternative dispute resolution, and transactional counseling. He prepares and negotiates charter parties, contracts of affreightment, bills of lading, and other maritime agreements.

James earned a B.A. with honors from the University of Chicago, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He later received his J.D. from the University of Chicago and served on the Law Review. His legal education supported a career combining maritime law, litigation, military service, and complex commercial matters. His background provides a strong foundation for analyzing shipping disputes, maritime contracts, insurance issues, and claims involving vessels and international commerce.

James began his maritime legal career through service in the US Navy, where he served as a naval officer and later joined the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He appeared in more than 150 courts-martial and later worked in the Navy’s Admiralty Division. After entering civilian practice, he joined Haight, Gardner, Poor & Havens and later became a partner at Holland & Knight, where he served as National Maritime Practice Group Leader before retiring in 2021.

James H. Hohenstein holds an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell and is listed in the Lexology Index. He is admitted in New York and before the Second Circuit and federal district courts in New York. His professional affiliations include the Maritime Law Association of the United States, Connecticut Maritime Association, International Bar Association, and American Bar Association. His experience combines maritime litigation, contract work, military service, and decades of counsel to domestic and international maritime clients.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Hohenstein & Parkinson, LLP
• Member, Maritime Law Association of the United States
• Member, Connecticut Maritime Association
• Member, International Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association

Licensed State

• New York

Education

• University of Chicago
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Chicago
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)