
About Marissa
Marissa Henderson has been selected as a Virginia Super Lawyer and a Virginia Influential Woman of Law for 2020 by Virginia Lawyer’s Weekly. Along with Dave Ventker, Marissa is a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, an invitation-only trial honorary society composed of less than one-half percent of lawyers in the United States. Marissa is a Proctor in Admiralty (as designated by the Maritime Law Association of the United States), and she typically represents shipowners and maritime operators such as marinas and marine terminals, and their insurers, in litigation matters. Additionally, Marissa advises businesses regarding contracting, charter parties, Jones Act compliance, commercial disputes, and managing risk, especially in the maritime arena.
Marissa’s practice focuses on a variety of matters, including vessel collisions, marine terminal liability defense, contract disputes, maritime personal injury and wrongful death defense (Jones Act), and insurance coverage litigation. She is an experienced trial attorney at both the trial court and appellate level.
Marissa is active in various maritime organizations. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Virginia Maritime Association, where she also co-chairs the Membership Committee. Marissa further serves as former Chair of the Inland Waters and Towing Committee for Maritime Law Association of the United States.
Courts
Supreme Court of Virginia
Supreme Court of North Carolina
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia
Professional Affiliations
Virginia State Bar
North Carolina State Bar
Maritime Law Association of the United States, Proctor Member, Former Chair of Inland Waters and Towing Committee
Virginia Maritime Association, Board of Directors and Membership Committee
I’Anson-Hoffman American Inn of Court
The Propeller Club of Norfolk
Education
University of Virginia, J.D.
University of Virginia, B.A. with distinction
Accolades
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Publications
“The Limitation of Liability Act: Arcane But Ours,” Benedict’s Maritime Bulletin., Vol. 14, No. 2 (Second Quarter 2016)
“E-Discovery, Facebook Shenanigans, and Fraud: The Crowe v. Marquette Transportation Case,” Benedict’s Maritime Bulletin, Vol. 14, No. 1 (First Quarter 2016)
Recent Developments in Admiralty and Maritime Law, Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Law Journal (Vol 51:2) (Winter 2016) (contributing author)
Recent Developments in Admiralty and Maritime Law, Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Law Journal (Vol 50-2) (Winter 2015) (contributing author)