Mark T. Coberly

Mark T. Coberly is a principal at Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black PLC who focuses on maritime, transportation, international trade, and dispute resolution matters. Working from the firm’s Norfolk and Hamburg offices, he represents international, national, and local clients, marine insurers, protection and indemnity clubs, vessel operators, and terminals. Coberly handles major casualties, commercial disputes, personal injury defense, and regulatory proceedings connected to the marine industry.

Coberly earned his J.D. from Washington and Lee University School of Law. He received his B.A. with distinction from the University of Virginia and also studied for one year at Albert-Ludwigs University in Freiburg, Germany. His legal education and international academic experience support his work on cross-border transportation issues, complex federal litigation, and disputes involving maritime businesses, insurers, contracts, government agencies, and foreign vessel interests.

Coberly has substantial trial, appellate, administrative, and arbitration experience. His work includes collisions, pollution incidents, cargo damage, serious personal injuries, charter-party disputes, ship repair contracts, tariffs, towing agreements, vessel arrests, and maritime attachments. He has represented clients before the U.S. Coast Guard, Customs, and the National Marine Fisheries Service. His representative matters include obtaining a limitation of liability under the Oil Pollution Act and preserving that ruling through proceedings that reached the U.S. Supreme Court.

Mark T. Coberly was named a 2025 “Go To Lawyer” for maritime matters. He serves on the boards of the Maritime Law Association of the United States and the Virginia Maritime Association, where he is also general counsel. His affiliations include the American Bar Association, Hampton Roads Foreign Commerce Council, Propeller Club of the Port of Hampton Roads, and Virginia Bar Association. By combining courtroom experience with detailed industry knowledge, Coberly helps marine clients manage risk and resolve complex disputes.

Law Office Affiliations

• Principal, Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black PLC
• Member, American Bar Association
• Board Member, Maritime Law Association of the United States
• Past Director, Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute

Licensed State

• Virginia

Education

• Washington and Lee University School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Virginia
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges