Over the course of his career, Donny Radcliff has specialized in the defense of personal injury and wrongful death claims in civil litigation matters, primarily in the field of admiralty and maritime law. His practice also includes defending workers’ compensation claims, particularly when his clients employ both marine and land-based workers. Over the past several years, Mr. Radcliff’s trial work has broadened to include the defense of pharmaceutical and medical malpractice claims as well as other types of general litigation matters. Primarily within the maritime context, he also has substantial trial experience in business litigation involving a large variety of issues including ship arrests, collision cases, cargo claims, limitation of liability actions and marine insurance matters.
In addition to practicing in both state and federal courts, Mr. Radcliff often serves as a mediator, either appointed by the court or selected by agreement by the parties. He has also served as an arbitrator in matters when requested by counsel representing the parties to the dispute.
Mr. Radcliff currently serves as president of the board of directors of L’Arche Mobile. L’Arche Mobile is one of the oldest and largest of the 15 L’Arche communities in the United States. Internationally, there are presently 133 L’Arche communities in 34 countries. At L’Arche, mentally and physically handicapped adults are provided a home for life where mutual relationships and trust in God are at the heart of their life together.
Representative Cases:
In re Amtrak Sunset Ltd. Train Crash in Bayou Canot, Ala.On September 22, 1993, 121 F.3d 1421, 11th Cir. (Ala.), September 11, 1997. Warrior & Gulf Navigation Co. v. U.S., 864 F.2d 1550, 11th Cir.(Ala.) February 6, 1989. McClow v. Warrior & Gulf Navigation Co., 842 F.2d 1250, 11th Cir. (Ala.), April 19, 1988. Drake Towing Co., v. Meisner Marine Construction Co., 765 F.2d 1060, 11th Cir. (Ala.), July 16, 1985. Complaint of Joint Adventure, Inc., 1989 WL 201244, S.D.Ala., October 11, 1989. Naviera Despina, Inc. v. Cooper Shipping Co., Inc., 676 F.Supp. 1134 S.D.Ala., April 3, 1987. Dunavant Enterprises, Inc.v. Strachan Shipping Co., 730 F.2d 665, 11th Cir., (Ala.), April 23, 1984. In the Matter of Complaint of Warrior & Gulf Navigation Co., Not Reported in F.Supp., 1997 A.M.C. 1432, S.D.Ala., November 13, 1996. In re Amtrak “Sunset Limited” Train Crash in Bayou Conot, Ala. On September 22, 1993, 730 F.2d 1251,March 21, 2001. Warrior Tombigbee Transp. Col, Inc. v. 5,775.674 Net Tons of Coal, 570 F.Supp. 1405, S.D.Ala., September 16, 1983. Matter of Italmar S.p.A., 541 F.Supp. 966, March 10, 1982. Rayon Y Celanese Peruana, S.A. v. M/V Phgh, 471 F.Supp. 1363, S.D.Ala., June 13, 1979. Benniefield v. Valley Barge Lines, 472 F.Supp. 314, S.D.Ala., May 17, 1979.
Born in Andalusia, Alabama, July 1, 1951
Education: The University of Alabama, B.A. 1973
The University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. 1976
Honors:
Martindale Hubbell Rating: AV Best Lawyers in America, Admiralty and Maritime Practice Alabama Super Lawyers Alabama Law Foundation Fellow
Alabama Law Review, Editorial Board 1974-1976
Order of the Coif
Phi Eta Sigma
Omicron Delta Kappa
Bench and Bar Legal Honor Society, Member
Hugo Black Scholar
Bar Admissions:
Alabama, 1976
U.S. District Courts for the Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Alabama
Alabama, 1976
U.S. District Courts for the Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Alabama
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court
Professional
Organizations and Associations:
American Bar Association
Maritime Law Association of the United States, Arrangements Committee 2002-present Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute General Mediator Certification from Tulane University, 2004
Federal Panel of Neutrals (Approved Mediator)
Alabama State Bar Mobile Bar Association
Publication and Seminar Speeches:
“Act of God in a Maritime Context”
- Southeastern Law Admiralty Institute (2006).
”Damages available in Personal Injury Claims after Miles, Yamaha and Amtrak,”
- 23 Tulane Maritime Law Journal 383 (Spring 1999).
“Nuke the Expert (Daubert)”
- Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute (1998).
