Charles Davant
As an Attorney at Davant Law, P.A., Charlie brings his extensive experience and passion for maritime law to the forefront. With a practice dedicated to maritime, product liability, and insurance, Charlie has established himself as a trusted advocate for his clients’ interests.
A Florida native, Charlie has been immersed in the world of boats and maritime activities his entire life. Recognizing the unique opportunity to combine his personal passion with a professional career, he has become a formidable force in the maritime legal landscape. His clients benefit from his unparalleled technical knowledge of vessels, coupled with his exceptional legal expertise.
Charlie understands that marine incidents can occur at any time, and he prides himself on being available for his clients around the clock. His dedication to providing exemplary legal counsel, alongside his relatable personality, has earned him a strong and enjoyable attorney-client relationship. Additionally, his ability to connect with juries and judges has been instrumental in achieving successful outcomes for his clients.
As an experienced litigation and trial attorney, Charlie has a proven track record of assisting clients in resolving complex matters. He has successfully navigated cases involving the Limitation of Liability Act, maritime personal injury, property damage, marine salvage, and marine insurance coverage issues. Furthermore, his skills extend to the appellate level, where he has secured favorable decisions in admiralty matters in the Eleventh and Fifth Circuit.
Charlie’s commitment to professional excellence has garnered him significant recognition within the legal community. He holds the prestigious Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent® rating, a reflection of the highest level of professional ability and ethical standards. Additionally, Charlie achieved Board Certification by the Florida Bar in Admiralty and Maritime Law in 2013. This distinction signifies his exceptional competency and experience, making him one of only 58 attorneys out of 100,000 in Florida to hold this esteemed accolade.
In addition to his maritime practice, Charlie has also successfully defended product liability cases on behalf of manufacturers in both the marine and non-marine sectors. His expertise in this area further enhances his ability to provide comprehensive legal solutions for his clients.
With his unwavering dedication, technical expertise, and proven track record, Charles Davant is an exceptional advocate for those seeking legal representation in maritime, product liability, and insurance matters. His personalized approach and commitment to his clients have solidified his reputation as a trusted and accomplished legal professional.
Practice
Maritime, Product Liability, Insurance
Admissions: Florida Bar; U.S. District Court for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
Education: Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center, J.D., 2005, Dean’s List; University of Florida, B.S. in Business Administration, 2002, Dean’s List
Accolades: Florida Bar Board Certified, Admiralty & Maritime Law; AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Specialties
- Lead counsel in Florida, federal and state courts for vessel owners and marine entities in cases involving personal injury, death and property damage
- Obtained dismissal with prejudice for vessel owners following incident involving severe personal injuries
- Served as counsel in obtaining summary judgment in favor of large product manufacturer in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit
- Obtained summary judgment on numerous counts for marine product manufacturer in the Southern District of Florida
- Served as lead counsel in successful appeals involving marine salvage to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals
- Served as trial counsel defending a large reinsurance broker in a two-week trial jury in Florida state court involving claims for breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and fraud (March 2014). At the close of the plaintiff’s case, the judge entered a directed verdict on six of the nine claims. The jury returned a defense verdict on the remaining claims.
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Broward County Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association, Admiralty Law Committee, CLE Secretary
- Florida’s Defense Lawyers Association— Maritime Law Committee, past chair
- Admiralty Law Committee, The Florida Bar
- Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute, Port Director
- Maritime Law Association
- United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, former member
- Fort Lauderdale Mariners’ Club, Seminar Chair, Moderator, Past Skipper and Seminar Chair
- American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC)- Standards Certified
- Council on Litigation Management
Speaking Engagements
*Speaker, “Collection, Preservation and Analysis of Electronic Navigation Information,” Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute (October 2021)
*Moderator, Fort Lauderdale Mariners Club 30th Annual Marine Insurance Seminar (November 2019)
*Speaker, “The Aftermath of Disaster,” Fort Lauderdale Mariners Club 29th Annual Marine Insurance Seminar (November 2018)
*Moderator, Fort Lauderdale Mariners Club 29th Annual Marine Insurance Seminar (November 2018)
*Panelist, “Bracing for the After-Storm,” Florida Bar Admiralty Law Committee (June 2018)
*Speaker, “Hurricane Aftermath,” Superyacht Claims Adjusters Association (January 2018)
*Moderator, Fort Lauderdale Mariners Club 28th Annual Marine Insurance Seminar (November 2017)
* Moderator, “Cybercrime — You’re at Risk More Than You Think,” 4th Annual Superyacht Summit (March 2017)
* Moderator, Fort Lauderdale Mariners Club 27th Annual Marine Insurance Seminar (November 2016)
* Co-Moderator, Fort Lauderdale Mariners Club 26th Annual Marine Insurance Seminar (November 2015)
* Speaker, “Marine Claims Handling,” Progressive Insurance Company (October 2010)
* Speaker, “Environmental Responsibility and Liability,” Marine Industries Association of South Florida (April 2010)
* Speaker, “Hurricane Preparedness,” Southwest Marine Industries Association (April 2010)
* Speaker, “Subcontractor Liability,” Marine Industries Association of South Florida (September 2009)
* Speaker, “Hurricane Aftermath,” Marine Industries Association of South Florida (June 2009)
Publications
* “Prevailing Party Fees are Not Recoverable in Cases Arising Under Admiralty Jurisdiction,” Sedgwick’s Insurance Law Blog (March 2013)
* “Deepwater Horizon MDL — Recent opinions on admiralty jurisdiction and indemnification,” Sedgwick’s Admiralty & Energy News (November 2012)
* “A High Stakes Game Of Finders Keepers: A Glance at the World of Marine Salvage Law,” Trial Advocate Quarterly (November 2012)
* “If It Floats, It May Not be a Boat — the U.S. Supreme Court Clarifies the Definition of a Vessel,” Sedgwick’s Insurance Law Blog (January 2012)
* “Contribution of Non-Claiming Co-Salvors,” Sedgwick’s Admiralty & Energy News (September 2011)