My practice focuses on transaction and litigation matters for yachts, aircraft, real estate and fine antiquities.

 

I have extensive experience handling the full range of transaction matters, including the purchase, sale, financing, new construction, chartering, and registration of luxury assets, including yachts and jets. I also negotiate and draft a variety of contracts, including loan documents, purchase and sale agreements, charter parties, construction contracts and crew agreements. I regularly counsel clients on ownership structures, state and federal tax consequences of asset ownership, federal duty, asset liability exposure and compliance with U.S. laws and international treaties regarding asset ownership.

 

When a dispute arises, I represent clients in litigation, mediation and arbitration proceedings involving a range of claims, such as breach of contract, brokerage commissions, insurance coverage and asset seizures, arrests, repossessions and foreclosures. I have been voted by South Florida Legal Guide as one of Florida’s Top Up and Coming Attorneys for 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, which is an honor that my peers hold me in such high regard.

 

I earned my Bachelor of Science in Marine Affairs from University of Miami, Florida and my Juris Doctor from New York Law School. I worked for the United States Environmental Protection Agency, as a Marine Biologist before attending law school, which was such an amazing opportunity. I relax and unwind by boating, diving, jewelry making and painting.

 

On a fun note, I am a licensed pyrotechnician, and I have long been involved in my family’s business, Fireworks by Grucci. Established in 1850, Fireworks by Grucci today produces more than 300 performances annually on both national and international stages. Therefore, I also handle matters concerning explosives and fireworks! My unique background and experience helps me help you in these highly specialized and complex areas.

 

I enjoy writing and speaking on asset ownership and I am a published author and lecturer on legal issues often globally. I devote much time to giving back to my community and volunteer my time to many community organizations such as:

 

• President of the Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF)
• Board Member of International Superyacht Society (ISS)
• General Counsel to the Superyacht Network
• Former General Counsel to the Young Professionals in Yachting (YPY)
• Vice Chair of The Florida Bar’s Admiralty Law Committee
• Board Member of the New York Law School’s Alumni Association
• Committee Member of the Broward County Boys & Girls Club’s Rendezvous Committee
• Committee Member of the Marine Industry Cares Foundation

 

Selected Published Works:

• Author, “Maritime Labor Convention and Its Effects on Yachting”, Yachts International, Nov. 2013
• Author, “When Marine Insurance Policies and Shipyard Contracts Collide”, Yachts International, Oct. 2013
• Author, “Vessel Arrests”, Boat International USA, Oct. 2013
• Author, “Causes of Action That a Broker Could Be Sued For”, Multihulls Magazine, July/August 2013
• Author, “Registration Facts”, Multihulls Magazine, May/June 2013
• Author, “Buying the Company,” Yachts International, Oct 2012
• Author, “Good Faith Deposits and Escrow Accounts,” FYBA News, September 2009
• Author, “The ‘How-To’ on Arresting a Vessel,” FYBA News, August 2009
• Author, “Yachting Charter Parties,” FYBA News, June/July 2009
• Author, “Whether to Own Part of the Whole?,” Yachts International, March 2009
• Co-Author, “Conflict of the Contracts: The Yacht Insurance Policy vs. The Shipyard Contract,” FYBA News, January/February 2009
• Co-Author, “It’s Not Over Till It’s Over: Finalizing the Deal,” FYBA News, November/December 2008
• Author, “Conflict of the Contracts,” Boat International USA, October 2008
• Author, “It’s All Greek to Me: Uberrimae Fidei and Ambiguities in Marine Insurance Policies,” FYBA News, May/June 2008

 

Selected Speaking Engagements:

• Speaker, “Current Maritime Law Issues” Fort Lauderdale Yacht Symposium, Oct 2014
• Speaker, “Global Economic Trends in Yachting”, Cayman Yacht Forum, Oct. 2013
• Speaker, “Current Maritime Law Issues” Fort Lauderdale Yacht Symposium, Oct 2013
• Speaker, “Chartering and Taxation” YachtInfo, Oct 2013
• Speaker, “Exclusions in Yacht Insurance Policies”, California Yacht Brokers Association Seminar, June 2013
• Speaker, “Legal Case Studies: Vessel Shipping” Florida Yacht Broker’s Association Seminar, July 2012
• Speaker, “Legal Case Studies: A Look at Charters,” Charter Seminar, Florida Yacht Broker’s Association, October 2012
• Speaker, “Vessel Arrests” YachtInfo, Oct 2012
• Speaker, “Legal Case Studies: A Look at Charters Gone Bad…,” Charter Seminar, Florida Yacht Broker’s Association, August 2010
• Panelist, “The Legalities of Chartering in the USA,” Crew Seminars & Captains Briefing at the 50^th Annual Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, YachtInfo, Oct 2009
• Panelist, “Regulation & Manning Issues: Registration and Classification Choices,” International Superyacht Symposium, March 2009
• Speaker, “How to File an Action in Rem to Arrest a Vessel,” Florida East Coast and West Coast Listings to Closings and the Law Seminars, Florida Yacht Broker’s Association, 2009
• Speaker, “Discussion on Demise, Bareboat and Uninspected Charter Contracts,” Annual Charter Seminar, American Yacht Charter Association, June 2008
• Speaker, “Maritime Liens: Validity, Filing and Satisfaction of Maritime Liens,” Florida East Coast Listings to Closings and The Law Seminar, Florida Yacht Broker’s Association, 2008
• Speaker, “Closing Checklists for State, Federal and Foreign Closings,” Florida West Coast Listings to Closings and The Law Seminar, Florida Yacht Broker’s Association, 2008

 

In the News:

• Quoted, “Vessel Registrations” Dockwalk, October 2012
• Quoted, “20 Questions to Streamline the Purchase of a Yacht”, Showboats International, July/August 2012
• Featured, “A New Path,” March Magazine, May/June 2010
• Radio Interview, “Women in Business Profile: Danielle Butler,” Entrepreneur Magazine, Women in Business Radio Talk Show, Hosted by Dr. Gayle Carson, April 7, 2009
• Quoted, “Call of Duty: Fall for a Foreign-Built Lovely? Play Fair and She’s Yours,” Yachting, April 13, 2009
• Quoted, “Additional Issues for Boat Show Readiness,” FYBA News, October 2008
• Quoted, “Legal Issues of Yacht Ownership,” Boat International USA, September 2008
• Quoted, “A Seller’s Duty to Disclose,” Boat International USA, April 2008