Coping With A Pandemic: Winston & Strawn’s Bryant Gardner

Winston & Strawn Maritime Partner Bryant Gardner was featured in Law360’s Expert Analysis “Coping With A Pandemic,” a series focused on COVID-19 and the reactions from around the business and legal community. 

When asked about the challenges the pandemic has created in the shipping and maritime industry, Bryant notes that the workstream has pivoted. “A number of transactions have gone on hold, but I’ve seen an uptick in regulatory questions and legislative initiatives, including those related to COVID assistance, but also more generally, and an uptick in litigation, especially government contracts matters.”

“The federal government is moving into the economy in a way not seen since World War II and clients are eager to understand the opportunities, challenges, limitations, and risks associated with that,” he explained.

On the topic of creative and productive responses to the crisis, Bryant praises the maritime industry’s resilience. “One client has a whole new crew rotation process that involves testing all crew and pre-boarding isolation protocols to keep a pristine environment onboard where quarters are necessarily tight. There are truly some unsung heroes out there,” he said.

Read the full Law360 Q&A here (subscription required).

View all of our COVID-19 perspectives here. Contact a member of our COVID-19 Legal Task Force here.