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Location: Seattle, Washington
Phone: (206) 729-5252
Fax: (206) 729-1012
E-mail: E-mail Me
WebSite: www.merriam-maritimelaw.com
John Merriam was an unlicensed seaman in the
U. S. merchant marine for 12 years before becoming a lawyer, working his way through college and law school. He served aboard 17 freighters and tankers in 12 different job classifications for the deck, engine and steward departments.
Other employment included 19 full-time jobs in eight states ranging from carpenter to cab driver, from roustabout in the oil fields to factory hand on the line. John paid law school tuition with a scholarship from the Seafarers International Union.
Passing the bar in 1982, John practiced with a small firm through 1995 --- first as associate, then as partner. Cases handled ran the gamut of general practice with an emphasis on maritime personal injury.
In 1993-94 John was the Chairman of the Maritime Section for the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association (now known as Washington State Association for Justice). He started his own firm in 1996, and shortly thereafter started working together with another sole-practitioner, Gordon Webb, on maritime claims. John now restricts his practice to the representation of maritime claimants for wages and injury.
Areas of Practice
Wage and Injury Claims for Maritime Plaintiffs
Bar Admissions and Years
Washington; Year: 1982
U.S. District Court Western District of Washington; Year: 1983
U.S. District Court Northern District of California; Year: 1987
U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit; Year: 1983
Education
Law School: Lewis and Clark College, Northwestern School of Law,
Portland OR, J.D. 1982
University of Washington,
Seattle WA, Political Science major, B.A.1978
Past Employment Positions
U.S. Merchant Marine; 1970 -1982
Representative Published Works
Aurora;
Trafford Publishing; 2008
The Status of Maintenance (for seamen) and Child Support in Washington After Aguilera v. F/T Alaska Juris, 2008 A.M.C. 1845, 535 F.3d 1007 (9th Cir. 2009);
Trial News; October, 2009
Millions for Defense but Not One Dime for Tribute;
Trial News; March, 2008
Enhanced Injury Doctrine Adopted Into the General Maritime Law;
Trial News; June, 2003
Do Seamen and Fishermen Injured in the Service of the Ship Have a Right to Medical Care For Life?
Trial News; January,1994
Affiliations or Offices Held
WSTLA Maritime Section
Position Held: Chair, 1993 -1994
Honors & Awards
Law School Tuition Scholarship received from Seafarers' International Union; 1978 -1982
