Maritime law firm merges with larger outfit

   Houck Anderson, a Miami-based maritime and admiralty law firm, has merged with The Chartwell Law Offices, one of the fastest growing law firms on the East Coast.
   Houck Anderson was founded in 1992 by Mark Houck and Andy Anderson. The firm, with offices in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, expanded its practice areas to include general liability, premises, construction, aviation and other defense litigation over recent years. Houck Anderson represents many insurers, P&I clubs, brokers and commercial interests, in the United States and overseas, in matters ranging from superyacht and pleasure craft liability to international shipping, hull and machinery claims and crew member litigation. 
   Chartwell was founded by four lawyers in 2002 in Valley Forge, Pa. Following rapid growth and the opening of offices in Pittsburgh, Scranton, Philadelphia and Harrisburg, Chartwell expanded into New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Florida. The firm now has 85 attorneys practicing principally in first and third party insurance coverage, casualty, employment and commercial litigation. With the addition of the Houck Anderson attorneys, Chartwell now has 13 lawyers in its Florida offices.
   “The timing of this merger is perfect as it gives us the opportunity to use Chartwell’s positioning to expand our marine-based practices to the entire eastern seaboard, while Chartwell can increase its footprint in the important Florida market.” said Mark Houck in a statement.
   The merged firm will operate under the Chartwell name.
   “An expanded Florida presence is important to our domestic, European and London clientele. We handle major property and catastrophe work around the world, and with the addition of the Houck Anderson attorneys, we are now better positioned to meet our clients’ needs in Florida and throughout the Gulf Coast,” Chris Troy, chairman of Chartwell’s Insurance Practices & Property section, said.
   Chartwell’s practice areas have also expanded to handle toxic tort, creditor’s rights and construction defect litigation.