Licenses & Certificates
United States Coast Guard Licenses (Inactive)
- U.S. Coast Guard, 2nd Eng. License, Unlimited HP, Motor, 1983
- U.S. Coast Guard, 3rd Eng. License, Unlimited HP, Steam, 1981
- U.S. Coast Guard, 3rd Eng. License, Unlimited HP, Motor, 1981
Mineral Management Service Certificate
Presentation & Scholarly Writings
Marina Agreements at a Glance
- Presented in 2008 to Marine Underwriters…Read the complete paper
- View the complete presentation slide show
Salvage Claims at a Glance
- Presented in 2008 to Marine Underwriter…Read the complete paper
- View the complete presentation slide show
Covered Losses, Exclusions and Burdens of Proof
- Presented in 2008 to Marine Underwriters and Practicing Maritime Attorneys…View the complete presentation slide show
Ship’s Medical Negligence: Respondeat Superior or Strict Liability?
- Presented at the 2006 International Council of Cruise Lines 2006 Legal & Insurance Seminar, in Washington, D.C.…View the complete presentation slide show
Plowing Your Way into Environmental Liabilities in South Florida
- Presented at the Fort Lauderdale Mariners Club 2006 Seminar…Read the complete paper
- View the complete presentation slide show
The Shipowner’s Limitation of Liability Act: Pitfalls for the Unwary
- Presented at the 2006 Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute’s 2006 Seminar in Savanna, Georgia…Read the complete paper
To Deny Coverage or Not Deny Coverage: Questions Underwriters Must Ask When Deciding to Accept a Marine Claim
- Presented at the 2002 Fort Lauderdale Mariners Club 2002 Seminar…Read the complete paper
Partner - Brais Law Firm
Helping people regain their lives is not work but, rather, a challenge that brings with it great personal satisfaction.
Having graduated with a B.S. degree in Marine Engineering from Massachusetts Maritime Academy, acquired three U.S. Coast Guard licenses and worked on offshore oil drilling platforms for more than seven years, Keith Brais brings an uncommon degree of real world experience to his clients’ personal injury and wrongful death claims. His engineering degree, licenses, marine experience, legal expertise and trial skills provide invaluable benefit to clients when describing to a judge or jury the unsafe and hazardous conditions giving rise to an injury or death.. Keith S. Brais is one of a very specialized group of lawyers in the State of Florida that is Board Certified in Maritime and Admiralty Law by the Florida Bar (1996-present). His additional peer reviewed credentials and awards include: “AV” Preeminent rating from the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory (2001-present – top 10% of all attorneys), the highest rating attainable, Life Member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Society (2015-present – top 1% of all lawyers), Florida’s Legal Elite (2015-present – top 1.7% of all lawyers), Best Lawyers (2020-present), U.S. News “Best Lawyers” (2020-present), Super Lawyer (2008-present – top 5% of all lawyers), America’s Top 100 High States Litigator (2020-present), U.S. News “Best Law Firms – Maritime” (2020-present – top 5% of all lawyers) and recipient of the 2016 Top 100 Verdicts Awards and Top Florida Maritime Verdict Award.
State Court Admissions
- Florida
- Massachusetts
Professional Membership & Activities
- Florida Bar Admiralty Law Committee – Member
- Maritime Law Association (“MLA”) of the United States – Proctor Member
- Cruise Line and Passenger Ships Committee of the MLA
- Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute – Member & Lecturer
- Ft. Lauderdale Mariner’s Club – Member & Lecturer
- Propeller Club of the United States (Port of Miami) – Member
Professional Awards & Acknowledgments
- Best Lawyers – 2020
- America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators – 2020
- “AV” Rated with Martindale – Hubbell – 2001 – Present
- Board Certified Admiralty & Maritime Attorney – The Florida Bar – 1996 – Present
- Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum – Member – 2015 – Present
- Super Lawyer – 2008 – Present
- Avvo Rating 10/10 Superb – 2010 – Present
- Florida’s Legal Elite – 2015 – Present
