Chair of the maritime and admiralty practice at Winston & Strawn LLP, Charlie Papavizas is nationally recognized in major legal directories. Chambers USA ranks him as the only “Star Individual” in the category of “Transportation: Shipping/Maritime: Regulatory,” who is “the Dean of the maritime bar” and “the godfather of maritime law.” He is widely known for his experience with Jones Act laws and the U.S. offshore wind industry.

Charlie focuses his practice on administrative, legislative, and finance matters, primarily in the maritime industry generally and the U.S. offshore wind industry in particular. He has been actively engaged in the U.S. offshore wind sector since 2009 and counsels numerous clients working in various aspects of the industry, including obtaining the first Jones Act offshore wind-related ruling in 2010.

Charlie is frequently consulted on the application of U.S.-flag laws and regulations, particularly the application of U.S. coastwise laws (“Jones Act”) to cargo, passenger, and vessel movements and investments in U.S. companies.

He has extensive experience in advocacy on behalf of maritime clients before various federal agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Maritime Administration, and the U.S. Congress. Such clients have included U.S. and foreign vessel owners and operators, industrial companies, private equity firms, commercial banks, and other financial institutions, shipyards, ship managers, and marine equipment suppliers.

His book, Journey to the Jones Act: U.S. Merchant Marine Policy 1776-1920, was published in 2024.