Before beginning his career as a litigator, however, Keith Brais had substantial firsthand experience with marine employment. He graduated from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy with a B.S. degree in marine engineering, obtained multiple maritime work certificates and three US Coast Guard licenses, and spent more than seven years working as a merchant seaman aboard commercial ships and offshore oil rigs.

At Brais Law Firm, We Believe in Giving Back to the Maritime Community

Keith Brais is a member of several different maritime associations and mariners’ clubs:

  • The Fort Lauderdale Mariners Club
  • The Maritime Law Association of the United States
  • The Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute (where he has lectured)

Prospective maritime litigants are often overwhelmed with choice when it comes to securing legal assistance.

These litigants may not be aware of the overall landscape of maritime and admiralty law, and the disadvantage of moving forward with a “general practice” firm. Maritime and admiralty law is highly-specialized — to such an extent, in fact, that the Florida Bar requires that attorneys be board certified in the field in order to practice. Brais Law Firm is focused on providing intelligent, client-centered advocacy in the field of maritime and admiralty law. We have close ties to the maritime industry and maritime culture at-large. This continuous, deep level of engagement is perhaps most evident in our credentials and qualifications.

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Credentials & Qualifications

  • “AV” Preeminent Rated with Martindale-Hubbell
  • Admiralty Law Committee of The Florida Bar-Members
  • America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators
  • AVVO Rating 10/10 Superb
  • Bachelor of Science Degree – Marine Engineering
  • Best Lawyers
  • Best Lawyers U.S. News
  • Board Certified Maritime Lawyer
  • Florida Legal Elite
  • Fort Lauderdale Mariners Club Member & Lecturer
  • Maritime Law Association of the United States-Proctor Member
  • Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
  • Seven Years Real World Marine Experience – Offshore Oil Drilling & Exploration Rigs
  • Sixty-Five-Years Collective Trial Experience
  • Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute-Member & Lecturer
  • Super Lawyer
  • Three U.S. Coast Guard Engineer Licenses

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Admiralty Law Committee of The Florida Bar-Member

Keith Brais is a member of the Standing Committee for the Florida Bar. All members are appointed by the Florida Bar’s President-elect of that incoming year. The scope and function of the Admiralty Law Committee is to study and keep members of the Bar informed of recent developments in the field of admiralty law. The committee along with the Rules Committee reviews and studies the portions of the Federal Rules of Procedure and United States Code relating to admiralty matters.

The committee also reviews local rules relating to admiralty matters in the various United States district courts in Florida. The committee may study and consider matters in the area of admiralty law and procedure as may be developed by the committee or assigned by the president or Board of Governors and assist in developing continuing legal education courses for persons designated in admiralty law. The committee meets twice a year to discuss current topics of admiralty law facing Florida Lawyers.

“AV” Rated with Martindale-Hubbell: The Highest Rating Available for Legal Ability & Integrity

Keith Brais is AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell (the international listing of attorneys). The rating indicates that the attorney “has reached the height of professional excellence” and is recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity. As a consequence, the firm is rated AV with Martindale-Hubbell.

Martindale-Hubbell has been in the business of helping consumers to select skilled and professional attorneys for over 140 years. Martindale-Hubbell evaluates lawyers in the United States and Canada. Importantly, the rating opinions solicited by Martindale-Hubbell are collected randomly from the Bar and the Judiciary.

Each person completing a review form must attest to knowing the applicant and his or her opinion regarding the applicant’s ethics and skills is kept completely confidential. For more information regarding what it means that Keith Brais is AV rated and why this peer review rating should influence your decision to hire Brais Law Firm please click Martindale-Hubbell.

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Bachelor of Science Degree – Marine Engineering

In 1981 Keith Brais graduated from Massachusetts Maritime Academy (“MMA”) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering. With years of real life merchant seamen experience, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Engineering, three U.S. Coast Guard Engineering licenses and 20 years specializing in the field of maritime law, board certified admiralty & maritime attorney Keith Brais brings to the judge or jury deciding your case an unprecedented appreciation of the dangers associated with maritime travel and marine employment.

Board Certified Admiralty & Maritime Lawyers

Keith Brais is a Board Certified with the Florida Bar in the field of Admiralty and Maritime Law. Board Certification is the highest level of evaluation by The Florida Bar of competency and professionalism in practice.

From 1996-Present, Keith Brais and passed the first ever Florida Bar certification examination in the field of Admiralty and Maritime Law.

In each of the five-year intervals following, Keith Brais again re-qualified and renewed his board certification which currently remains valid through May 31, 2021. As such, he has been board certified in this highly specialized area of law for 20 years. Only practitioners with sufficient years of practice and experience in the maritime field are allowed to sit for this certification.

For more information regarding what it means that Keith Brais is Board Certified by the Florida Bar in the field of Admiralty and Maritime Law and why this certification should influence your decision to hire Brais Law Firm please click The Florida Bar Certification Pamphlet.

There’s No Need to Face a Maritime Injury Case on Your Own

The attorneys at the law firm of Brais Law Firm have the experience to protect your rights, the compassion to serve your needs, and the skill to obtain the compensation you deserve. To reach our lawyers you may click email the firm, call 800-499-0551 from within the U.S., Skype BraisLaw worldwide or Contact Us to select and complete a form for a free evaluation of your case.

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National and International All Ports of Call. Anywhere Offshore.Brais Law is here for you.

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