Sterling J. Stires

Senior Counsel

San Diego Office
1320 Columbia Street, Suite 210
San Diego, California 92101
Telephone: (619) 232-2424
Facsimile: (619) 531-0794
E-mail: sstires@bortonpetrini.com

Sterling J. Stires is Senior Counsel for the San Diego office of Borton Petrini, LLP. Sterling received his undergraduate degree from the University of San Diego in 1996. He attended California Western School of Law, obtaining his Juris Doctorate in1998, and was admitted to the Bar the same year.

He has developed a civil litigation practice with an emphasis on maritime law. Along with matters involving the Jones Act, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, Limitation of Shipowners Liability Act, Ship Repairers’ Liability, and general maritime law. Mr. Stires also practices in the areas of insurance coverage, insurance bad faith, business litigation, and personal injury involving marine and nonmarine claims. Sterling’s interest in maritime law was born out of his studies at the University of San Diego, where he obtained his undergraduate degree in ocean studies. While in law school, Sterling worked for the director of the International Legal Studies program. Among other projects, he conducted extensive legal and factual research regarding developments in the area of international law of the sea for an article published in the International Lawyer. While in law school, Sterling received academic achievement awards in both Maritime Law and Law of the Sea.

Sterling served on the Admiralty & Maritime Law Consulting Group, which advised the Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of California regarding the establishment of maritime law as a certified legal specialty in California. After the State Bar decided to include maritime law as a certified legal specialty, Sterling was selected to be one of the few attorneys to serve on the State Bar’s Admiralty & Maritime Law Advisory Commission. Sterling is a “Proctor in Admiralty,” as designated by the Maritime Law Association of the United States. He has served as the president of the Propeller Club of the United States, Port of San Diego (2006-2007), served as vice president (2004-2006), and served on the board of governors of the Propeller Club (2003 to 2008). Since 2003, Sterling has repeatedly been selected by the Office of Spill Prevention and Response, a division of the California Department of Fish and Game, to act as the Maritime Law Representative to the San Diego Harbor Safety Committee. In this capacity, and serving on a pro bono basis, Sterling has participated in the drafting and revising of provisions within the San Diego Harbor Safety Plan, which have been incorporated into California law and mandated by the California Oil Spill Prevention and Response Act. Because of his dedication and experience in maritime matters, Sterling heads the Firm’s maritime practice.

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Education:

• University of San Diego, San Diego, California, BA, Ocean Studies, 1996
• California Western School of Law, San Diego, California, JD, 1998

Admitted:

• State Bar of California (1998)
• U.S. Supreme Court (2005)
• Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (2005)
• United States District Court for the Southern
  District of California (1998)
• United States District Court for the Central
  District of California (2000)

Business and Professional Associations:

• American Bar Association (1998)
• San Diego County Bar Association (1999)
• Proctor in Admiralty, Maritime Law Association
  of the United States
• Admiralty and Maritime Law Consulting Group, State Bar of California (2006-2008)
• Admiralty and Maritime Law Advisory Commission, State Bar of California (2008-present)
• Maritime Law Representative, San Diego Harbor Safety Committee (2003-present)
• Propeller Club of the United States, Port of
  San Diego, President 2006-2007, Vice President, 2004-2006, Board of Governors, 2003 -2008
• Commissioner,Admiralty/Maritime Law Advisory Commission, State Bar of California

Lectures, Seminars & Publications:

• Sterling has given lectures to insurance
  organizations on various maritime legal issues in California and Washington State

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