A dozen former NFL players have filed a lawsuit against the National Football League, claiming the league and its teams of repeatedly administering the painkiller Toradol before and during games, which they say worsened high-risk injuries like concussions.
Learn More >>Dennis McElwee, Partner
“I never get tired of working for the working man.”
Some men follow baseball statistics, Dennis McElwee keeps up with court rulings regarding the daily living expenses of seamen. After more than two decades of practicing Maritime Law, he is still keen on the details that can make all the difference in the quality of life of his clients. Dennis began his career as the protégée of Arthur Schechter, founder of the firm. Not only did he learn the fine points of trial law in courtrooms throughout the United States, he can tell you about the arguments and cross examinations that carried the day. In his words, “A funny thing happens when you put people under oath—the truth comes out.”
Dennis has handled many Jones Act, General Maritime Law and seaman’s wage claim cases to very successful conclusions in addition to general personal injury cases. He has taught at the Southeast Admiralty Law Center and the University of Texas Maritime Law Conference. Not only is he licensed to practice law in Texas and Minnesota, he has practiced in four United States District Courts, the U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th District and the United States Supreme Court.
Particulars
Current Employment Position
- Partner
Areas Of Practice
- Personal Injury -- Plaintiff
- Jones Act
- Longshore & Harbor Workers Compensation Act
- Maintenance and Cure
- General Maritime Law
- DOHSA - Death on the High Seas Act
- Maritime Piracy
- Public Vessel Act
- Suits in Admiralty
- Merchant Mariners Act
- Admiralty Extension Act
- OSCLA - Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act
- Military Sealift Command
- Houston Motorcycle Accidents - Plaintiff
- Premises Liability - Plaintiff
- Railroad Accidents - Plaintiff
- FELA Claims - Plaintiff
- Products Liability Law
- Medical Malpractice
- Aviation Accidents -- Plaintiff
- Wrongful Death -- Plaintiff
- Shipping
Litigation Percentage
- 95% of practice devoted to litigation
Bar Admissions
- Texas, 1986
- Minnesota, 1998
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court Western District of Texas
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas
- U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Education
- South Texas College of Law, Houston, TX, 1986 - J.D.
- Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, Camden, New Jersey, 1980 - B.A.
Awards and Honors
- Texas Super Lawyers - 2011
Published
- "The Relationship Between Medicare and a Vessel Owner's Duty to Provide Cure," SEALI, June, 1996
- "Occupational Ilness Cases in a Maritime Context," University of Texas, September, 1998
Classes/Seminars Taught
- Instructor, Southeast Admiralty Law Institute , SEALI, 1996 Instructor, 7th Annual Admiralty and Maritime Conference, University of Texas, 1998
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, 1986 - Present
- Southeast Admiralty Law Institute, 1999 - Present
- Houston Trial Lawyers Association, Member
- Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Member
Birth Information
- 1954, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
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