Arthur A. Severance
Of Counsel16767 N. Perimeter Drive
Suite 210
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Arthur has worked in transportation law for nearly twenty years, serving as a litigator, corporate counsel, manager, and educator. His background includes litigation, contract drafting, risk management, and leadership positions in both private law firms and nonprofit organizations. He represents clients in matters such as wrongful death, personal injury, cargo, and contract disputes in state and federal courts.
Arthur has delivered presentations on maritime law topics at various professional forums, including the Federal Bar Association, California State Bar Annual Meeting, Transportation Law Institute, and Pacific Admiralty Seminar, focusing on issues such as recreational boating litigation, maritime liability, and cargo protection.
Outside the office, Arthur enjoys spending his free time reading, running tabletop roleplaying games, perfecting his German language skills, and spending time with his partner and his Australian cattle dog.
- Tulane University Law School, L.L.M.
- California Western School of Law, J.D.
- University of Colorado - Boulder, B.A.
- Scottsdale Bar Association, Member
- Federal Bar Association, Member
- California Admiralty & Maritime Law Advisory Commission
- Chair, 2016 – 2017
- Member, 2010 – 2017, 2025
- Maritime Law Association of the United States, Proctor Member
- In re DuQuette, no. 2:20-cv-02037, 2022 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 11028 (E.D. Cal. Jan. 20, 2022)
- In re Amble, 2021 A.M.C. 245 (N.D. Cal. 2021)
- Cagas v. F/V Pacific Horizon, no. 3:20-cv-02111, 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 4859 (S.D. Cal. Jan. 11, 2021)
- In re Amble, 2020 A.M.C. 406 (N.D. Cal. 2020)
- People v. Pac Anchor, 59 Cal. 4th 772 (2014), cert. denied, 574 U.S. 1153 (2015)
- Hartford Fire Ins. v. Total Terminals Int’l, no. CV 12-5100, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS190434 (C.D. Cal. May 12, 2014)
- Sosa v. Pfeiffer, no. 10cv0280, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 132295 (S.D. Cal. Sept. 16, 2013)
- Hartford Fire Ins. v. Total Terminals Int’l, no. CV 12-5100, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 195349 (C.D. Cal. Sept. 25, 2012)
- Rigel Marine Servs. v. M/Y “Thomas Crosby V,” 2012 A.M.C. 2916 (C.D. Cal. 2011)
- People v. Pac Anchor, 195 Cal. App. 4th 765 (2011) 5/18/11
- In re Mission Bay Jet Sports, LLC, no. 08cv0146, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 171695 (S.D. Cal. March 14, 2011)
- In re Mission Bay Jet Sports, LLC, no. 08cv0146, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 160793 (S.D. Cal. Aug. 3, 2010)
- In re Mission Bay Jet Sports, LLC, 2010 A.M.C. 1320 (S.D. Cal. 2010)
- In re Mission Bay Jet Sports, LLC, no. 08cv0146, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1824 (S.D. Cal. Jan. 11, 2010)
- In re Gibson, 2009 A.M.C. 2249 (E.D. Okla. 2009)
- In re Mission Bay Jet Sports, 570 F.3d 1124 (9th Cir. 2009)
- Lee v. Vessel Tiffany, no. CIV S-06-1757, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 73544 (E.D. Cal. Oct. 2, 2007)
- Markel Am. Ins. Co. v. Woolard, 2007 A.M.C. 2597 (C.D. Cal. 2007)
- State Bar of California Certified Specialist in Admiralty & Maritime Law
- Selected for inclusion in the Southern California “Rising Stars” list in the area of Maritime/Transportation Law, 2013-2016
- Leading Petty Officer, Combat Electronics Division, USS Taylor FFG-50, United States Navy, 1997-2003
- Ninth Circuit Case Summaries, ADMIRALITAS (Fed. B. Ass’n) (2017 to 2022 eds.)
- CLE Committee Welcomes New Director, ALASKA BAR RAG (Alaska B. Ass’n) (Fall 2019)
- Navigating Personal Injury and Death Cases, 2018 ANNUAL MEETING (Fed. B. Ass’n) (2018)
- Navigating Personal Injury and Death Cases, ADMIRALITAS (Fed. B. Ass’n) (Winter 2016)
- Most Courts are Getting it Wrong: There is No Well-Established Federal Maritime Rule Against the Doctrine of Assumption of Risk in Recreational Boating Cases, 25 U.S.F. Mar. L.J. 195 (2013)
- Assistant Editor, Maritime Law Association, MLA Report, 2011 to 2014 editions
- Researcher, Maritime Law Association, Statistical Analysis of Limitation of Liability Cases 1997-2010
- Comment, The Duty to Render Assistance in the Satellite Age, 36 CAL. W. INT’L L.J. 377 (2006)
- Federal Bar Association, LOLA Is Still Afloat After 165 Years; How Long Does She Have Left? (February 2016)
- California State Bar Annual Meeting, Litigating Recreational Boating Cases in State and Federal Court (September 2014)
- Transportation Law Institute, An Overview of How COGSA Protects Carriers, Terminal Operators, & Stevedores (November 2013)
- California Western School of Law, The Shipowner’s Limitation of Liability Act (March 2013)
- Marine Underwriters of Southern California, Recreational Boating & Admiralty Jurisdiction (February 2013)
- Pacific Admiralty Seminar, Primary Assumption of Recreational Boating Risks (October 2012)