Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP (CSH Law) has announced that Jason Harris has joined the firm as a partner based in its Wilmington office, according to a news release.

Harris will serve as chair of the firm’s new Admiralty and Maritime Practice Group. His practice will include general litigation, transportation, admiralty, maritime and corporate matters. 

“We are excited to welcome Jason Harris to the CSH Law family,” said Marshall Wall, managing partner of CSH Law, in the release. “Jason brings a wealth of experience in admiralty and maritime law, and we are excited to have him lead this practice group moving forward.” 

Harris has more than 17 years of experience in admiralty and maritime law including practicing law as a partner in a law firm in Wilmington and co-founding Welch and Harris in Jacksonville, officials said in the release.

In addition, he served as General Counsel, Director of Legal and Corporate Secretary for an international marine salvage, wreck removal, decommissioning and underwater services company headquartered in Houston, Texas, with its operational headquarters in Holland. There, he assisted in the implementation of a merger, advised the board of directors and management on legal affairs, oversaw an international legal and risk management team, performed extensive business contract reviews, and designed a robust regulatory compliance program.

Harris is active in numerous professional organizations. He is a proctor member of the Maritime Law Association of the United States (MLA), where he currently serves on the Board of Directors and also serves as the chairman of the MLA's Salvage Committee.

He is also a member of the Southeastern Admiralty Law Association, serves as Legal Counsel to the American Salvage Association and is a former member and former General Counsel of the International Association of Marine Investigators.

In addition, he has taught the Admiralty and Ocean & Coastal Law courses at Campbell Law School for several years.

Harris is a member of the N.C. State Bar and Texas State Bar. He received his master of law in maritime law from the University of Miami School of Law, a Juris Doctor from the Wake Forest University School of Law and his bachelor’s degree from Auburn University.