Direct Dial: 415.352.2721Fax: 415.352.2701marilyn.raia@bullivant.com
Marilyn is a Certified Specialist in Admiralty & Maritime Law, as recognized by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. She has counseled and represented clients in maritime, transportation, insurance, subrogation, and commercial matters for more than 40 years. Her maritime and transportation law practice includes diverse areas such as cargo loss and damage; collision and allision; tug and tow; seaman's personal injury; longshore and passenger personal injury; maritime liens; chartering; marina operator's liability; salvage and general average. She represents cargo owners, vessel owners, freight forwarders, non-vessel operating common carriers, warehousemen, and transportation brokers. She regularly advises clients on cargo, hull, protection and indemnity (P&I), marina operator's liability, marine general liability, charterer's legal liability, inland marine, and property insurance matters and represents them in coverage litigation including extra-contractual claims.
Marilyn represents cargo and property insurers in subrogation cases, including claims arising out of fire, and defends clients against subrogation claims. She litigates commercial matters and assists clients with non-litigated matters such as review and analysis of bills of lading, service agreements, distribution agreements, and logistics contracts.
Marilyn's litigation experience includes court and jury trials in state and federal courts, federal, state and SMA arbitrations, mediations, extensive motion practice, and appeals in the California Court of Appeal and U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Marilyn has also served as an expert witness in cargo and marine insurance matters and has provided expert opinions in three separate cases.
Marilyn was appointed as an arbitrator and early neutral evaluator in admiralty and insurance cases by the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.
In addition to practicing law, Marilyn is a columnist for Pacific Maritime Magazine and regularly speaks at marine and insurance industry events. She appears as a maritime law expert on San Francisco Bay Area radio and TV stations.
Representative Published Decisions
When not practicing law, Marilyn is a percussionist with the Contra Costa Wind Symphony and enjoys spending time with her family, quiltmaking, cooking, and assisting animal rescue organizations.
One of Marilyn's many quilt projects. "What I found fascinating when making this quilt is that each block is made from the same pattern but looks different from the others because of the color choices of the fabrics," says Marilyn.
"I love to make scrap quilts. There are so many fabrics I love that sometimes I cannot help myself and have to use as many as I can," declares Marilyn.
Marilyn brushing Joseph, a mule retired from service in the Grand Canyon. Joseph was rescued by the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, UT where Marilyn volunteered.