No. 19-1250

Victor Allan Clark v. Celebrity Cruises, Inc., et al.

Lower Court: Florida
Docketed: 2020-04-27
Status: Denied
Type: Paid
Tags: 45-usc-55 45-usc-56 forum-selection forum-selection-clause jones-act maritime-law negligence personal-injury seaman-employment seaman-employment-contract third-party-beneficiary
Latest Conference: 2020-06-25
Question Presented (from Petition)

I. Does the Jones Act, 46 U.S.C. §§ 30104, 30509 (adopting by reference 45 U.S.C. §§ 55, 56) render void a foreign forum selection clause in a Seaman's employment contract which calls for him to provide labor to a business incorporated in Michigan as a crew member aboard ships carrying passengers to and from ports of the United States?

II. Do the substantive contract principals of the general maritime law allow the owners of those ships (both headquartered in Florida) to enforce a forum selection clause in a Seaman's employment contract as a "Third Party Beneficiaries" when they are not parties to or named in the contract?

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Does the Jones Act render void a foreign forum selection clause in a Seaman's employment contract?

Docket Entries

2020-06-29
Petition DENIED.
2020-06-09
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 6/25/2020.
2020-05-22
Brief of respondents Celebrity Cruises, Inc., et al. in opposition filed.
2020-02-20
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due May 27, 2020)

Attorneys

Celebrity Cruises, Inc., et al.
Jeffrey B. CrockettCoffey Burlington, P.L., Respondent
Victor Clark
Jessica Pierce QuiggleBillera Law, Petitioner