Oliver Beiersdorf

For over 20 years, Oliver has represented clients in some of their most complex and challenging legal matters, whether inside or outside the courtroom. He has extensive industry experience in aviation, shipping, commodities, manufacturing, and product liability. Oliver is the co-head of the firm’s global aviation and aerospace practice.

Experience

Representative matters

Argued and won summary judgment in United States District Court, District of New Jersey, on behalf of Swedish automobile manufacturer in putative consumer class action filed on behalf of nationwide class of S.U.V. purchasers.

Argued and won motion to dismiss, and ensuing appeal to the New York Supreme Court, 4th Department, on behalf of German Opthalmic implant manufacturer based on federal preemption and lack of personal jurisdiction.

Obtained dismissal of overseas airline in passenger putative class action filed in the Northern District of Illinois.

Lead counsel for major U.S. airline in high profile Multi-District Litigation stemming from crash of commercial aircraft, including acting as trial counsel during two month trial in New York Supreme Court.

Obtained defense verdict on behalf of airplane manufacturer in four-week, high profile jury trial in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Plaintiffs sought compensatory and punitive damages in excess of $60 million for wrongful death, asserting product liability claims for alleged defects in the design and manufacture of the airplane.

Represent German aviation bearing manufacturer in numerous air crash cases venued throughout the United States, resulting in favorable resolution for client.

Achieved multi-million dollar recovery for foreign airline in action against refueling company to recover for fire damage caused to Boeing 777 aircraft during refueling operations.

Achieved multi-million dollar recoveries for clients in several international shipbuilding disputes.

Represent ship owners in arrest and interpleader actions stemming from O.W. Bunker fuel supplier insolvency.

Lead counsel for automobile manufacturer in maritime product liability action involving millions of dollars of damage to cargo and car carrying ship due to a sustained fire aboard the vessel.

Represent Fortune 500 financing company in action to collect overdue leaseback payments from foreign shipping company, including obtaining vessel and fuel attachments in various ports in the United States.

Represent solar array manufacturer in litigation stemming from launch of satellites equipped with defective solar panel components.

Secured declaratory judgment in favor of airport terminal operator in action seeking additional insured coverage under subcontractor’s policy of insurance.

Defend Experimental Aircraft Association in action stemming from crash of an antique bi-plane following air show, which included successfully obtaining a venue transfer to the Eastern District of Wisconsin, where our client maintains its place of business

Successfully represent French commodities trader in action to recover damages relative to purchase of non-conforming cargo of gasoline that was below agreed upon specifications.

Represent ship agent in action filed in U.S. District Court seeking recovery of agency fees from corporation and from shareholders directly based on theory of fraud and seeking to pierce the corporate veil. Action resulted in full recovery of outstanding fees.

Represented a ship broker in an action filed in the New York Supreme Court to recover outstanding commissions for ship brokerage services including obtaining a restraining order and attachment on bank accounts

Represented cargo ship owner in an action seeking limitation of liability from claims stemming from heavy loss of cargo during voyage from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Philadelphia. Limitation of liability action was commenced on behalf of client in U.S. District Court resulting in consolidation of all claims in one forum and restraining order precluding claimants from filing suit in other jurisdictions. The claims ultimately were settled with significant savings to the client.

Represent underwriter at jury trial in insurance coverage action arising from alleged total loss of marine vessel that sustained significant hull and engine damage

Represent yacht owner in wrongful death action stemming from accident involving operator of personal watercraft. Successfully invoked protections of limitation of liability statute, obtained restraining order precluding plaintiff’s estate from filing action in state court and obtained contribution from liquor establishment under dram shop laws.

Represented a Japanese cargo owner in an action filed in U.S. District Court seeking recovery for damage to heavy equipment sustained as a result of on deck stowage of cargo during a voyage from Seattle to Yokohama. Successfully overcame Carriage of Goods by Sea Act ("COGSA") liability limitation, resulting in significant recovery for client.

Extensive experience handling contractual indemnification and additional insured issues.

Recognitions

Ranked in Chambers USA for Nationwide Transportation: Aviation: Litigation, 2017-2025 A description of the selection methodology can be found at chambers.com. No aspect of the list has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
Selected for inclusion in the New York Metro Super Lawyers list for Aviation and Aerospace, 2016-2022. The New York Metro Super Lawyers list is issued by Thomson Reuters. A description of the selection methodology can be found at superlawyers.com. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
Listed as a Leading Partner in The Legal 500 US for Transport Aviation And Air Travel – Litigation And Regulation and Dispute Resolution; Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action – Defense: Automotive/Transport, 2023-2025. The Legal 500 list is issued by Legalease Ltd. A description of the selection methodology can be found at legal500.com. No aspect of the above advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Credentials

Education

Brooklyn Law School, 1997, J.D.
University of Oregon, 1993, B.A.
University of Stuttgart, Germany, Studied politics and international relations for one year as a fully matriculated student