Spotlight on Neil P. McMillan
WHAT DO YOU FIND MOST INTERESTING ABOUT THE MARITIME INDUSTRY? What I find most interesting about the maritime industry is how deeply it is rooted in history and tradition, yet constantly evolving through new technologies and smarter systems. I also appreciate its global interconnectedness and the vital role it plays in keeping commerce moving worldwide.
NEIL P. MCMILLAN Associate
HOW DID YOU GET INTO MARITIME LAW? I attended the U. S. Naval Academy and after graduation served as a Surface Warfare Officer. My first tour was as an Officer in the Engineering Department on a Destroyer and my second tour was as Navigator on a Cruiser. After my time in active duty, I started at Fordham Law and took an Admiralty and Maritime Law course where I got my first exposure to the commercial maritime industry.
HOW DOES OUR FIRM’ S DEEP EXPERIENCE IN THE MARITIME INDUSTRY PROVIDE US WITH A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE?
I’ ve seen firsthand how our group’ s experience has been critical in helping clients to navigate complex casualties and legal issues. The diverse backgrounds of our team allow us to handle issues of any scale around the globe.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO OUTSIDE OF YOUR LEGAL PRACTICE? I enjoy staying active and like to spend time outdoors with my family. I have a very busy 20-month-old who likes to go on new adventures every weekend!
p – 2026 BLANK ROME LLP
Spotlight on Alan M. Weigel
WHAT DO YOU FIND MOST INTERESTING ABOUT THE MARITIME INDUSTRY? I find the adoption of new technologies intended to make ships safer and more efficient the most interesting.
WHAT TRENDS ARE YOU FOLLOWING AT THE MOMENT? Autonomous ships and the International Maritime Organization’ s(“ IMO”) efforts to regulate them.
ALAN M. WEIGEL Of Counsel
HOW DID YOU GET INTO MARITIME LAW? I have spent my entire life around boats and boat yards, including 20 years as a submarine officer in the United States Navy. In law school, I discovered that I could apply my lifetime of nautical experience to a legal career. After law school, I was fortunate to have been hired by one of the most preeminent maritime law firms in the United States.
HOW DOES BLANK ROME’ S DEEP EXPERIENCE IN THE MARITIME INDUSTRY PROVIDE US WITH A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE? With our experience, our maritime industry team is able to analyze complex issues at the outset of the matter and help our clients reach an early understanding of the likely outcomes.
p – 2026 BLANK ROME LLP
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