Michael T. Moore

Michael T. Moore | Maritime Lawyer- Journal By Yatco

Michael T. Moore advises yacht owners, operators, and institutions on maritime law, complex litigation, and regulatory matters across the global superyacht industry.

A statement from SeaKeepers — and a reflection of what Michael brings to every role he holds.

is a maritime lawyer trusted by yacht owners, operators, and institutions across the global superyacht industry.

In every corner of the superyacht world, there are a few lawyers owners call before anyone else. They do not chase attention and they are rarely the names quoted in trade coverage. They are trusted because the stakes are real, and their judgment holds under pressure.

For the global maritime community, that lawyer is often Michael T. Moore.

While many focus purely on transactions, Michael works at the intersection of maritime law and ocean stewardship. From complex litigation to conservation leadership, his practice sits where legal expertise meets long-term responsibility.

For him, the work is not about hours logged. It is about helping build outcomes that last.

Michael's path to maritime law began, improbably, while waiting tables in Cape Cod before law school. He mentioned his goal of becoming a maritime lawyer to a man named Herbert Mayhew Lord. As it happened, Lord's father was a partner at

Burlingham, Underwood & Lord

— a legendary New York admiralty firm whose past clients included

That conversation opened a door that would define his career.

After graduating from the

with a BA in Finance (1970) and earning his JD from the

University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law

(1974), Michael served as a

1st Lieutenant in the United States Army Medical Services Corps

before receiving an honorable discharge.

His first legal position took him to Burlingham, Underwood & Lord — in both New York and their

offices. During his years in the Kingdom, Michael and his wife

worked on foreign investment-related matters, developing the international perspective that would prove invaluable. He is

, speaking English, Arabic, and Spanish fluently.

in Miami, eventually rising to

chair the firm's Marine and Aviation Practice

while serving multiple terms on the firm's

. But the call of independence proved irresistible. In 2004, he founded

from his Coral Gables base — a boutique structure allowing personal attention to the world's most discerning maritime clients.

Moore & Company handles the full spectrum of maritime and aviation matters:

New construction contracts and disputes

Purchases, sales, and registration

Regulatory compliance and tax structures

Complex litigation and appellate work

The client roster has included names that appear in headlines:

Donald Trump, Tiger Woods, Faisel Al Matrook

, and hundreds of yacht owners whose privacy demands discretion. Recognition has followed consistently for over two decades.

In August 2015, Michael made legal history by obtaining all requirements and permits for the

first commercial vessel charter to Cuba in over five decades

. His client, Paul Madden Associates, completed the historic journey — opening a pathway that Moore & Company would subsequently facilitate for

Michael told The Triton when regulations later shifted,

Beyond his practice, Michael has devoted extraordinary energy to ocean conservation through his leadership of

The International SeaKeepers Society

by yacht owners concerned with deteriorating ocean conditions, SeaKeepers has transformed how the yachting community engages with marine science. The organisation mounts sophisticated water and atmospheric monitoring systems on members' yachts, collecting data that would otherwise be prohibitively expensive to gather. Over

now contribute to this global research network.

for multiple terms, guiding the organisation's growth and leveraging his connections within the yachting community to expand its reach globally.

, he personally presented the

SeaKeepers Award to HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco

— a moment that captured his unique position bridging maritime commerce and conservation. Past SeaKeepers Award recipients include an extraordinary roster:

James Cameron, Dr. Sylvia Earle, Jean-Michel Cousteau, Fabien Cousteau, Kelly Slater (ten-time world champion surfer), and Wendy Schmidt

Michael's leadership extends across multiple organisations that shape the maritime world:

, United States Coast Guard Foundation

, Admirals of the Fleet of Florida

International Superyacht Society

, Alexis de Tocqueville Society

, Southeast Admiralty Law Institute (1989-1991)

, Marine Council of Florida (1980-1990)

, International Yacht Arbitration Council (IYAC)

International Superyacht Society Business Man of the Year

— recognition from peers who understand what building a practice and a legacy requires.

— 20 consecutive years (2006-2025)

— Florida Trend Magazine

— South Florida Legal Guide

AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating

— Martindale-Hubbell (highest rating)

— Florida Daily Business Review (for multi-million dollar verdicts)

— International Superyacht Society 2015

Colleagues and clients describe Michael as:

— Michael Howorth, maritime journalist

Michael T. Moore's career began with a conversation at a summer job — a moment of chance that connected him to a legendary maritime law firm with roots stretching back to the Titanic. Five decades later, he has built something that honours that lineage while creating something entirely his own.

The law practice spans mega-yachts to private jets, construction disputes to international arbitration. The conservation work puts scientific equipment on the world's finest vessels. The industry service shapes how maritime professionals arbitrate disputes and how the Coast Guard Foundation supports those who serve.

But perhaps what distinguishes Michael most is the integration of these roles. He doesn't compartmentalise law and conservation, commerce and stewardship. He sees them as parts of the same commitment — to the oceans, to the yachting community, and to the clients who trust him with what matters most.

he once titled a seminar on maritime finance. The question captures his practical approach. The answer — developed over forty years of practice — is why the world's most sophisticated yacht owners still call Coral Gables first.

You can also go and listen to his podcast here:

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