Mr. Zacharkow's practice is concentrated in handling admiralty and maritime, insurance, and commercial litigation matters. He has extensive experience in the investigation of marine and non-marine claims, involving cargo losses, hull and machinery losses, pollution incidents, collisions, pier damage, property damage due to fire, water, and wind, and personal injury and death, as well as the attendant litigation of such claims.

     Over the years, he has represented cargo owners and insurers in handling claims for loss of or damage to a wide variety of cargoes, including steel products, pulp products, lumber, petroleum products, consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, motor vehicles, project cargo, and various other bulk and containerized cargoes. Since the Ports of Philadelphia, Camden, and Wilmington receive substantial shipments of fresh fruit and perishables, Mr. Zacharkow also has extensive experience in handling claims involving these goods, including grapes, stone fruit, citrus, avocados, bananas, melons, ginger, cocoa and coffee beans, meat and fish.

     Mr. Zacharkow has represented commercial vessel owners and operators, and insurers, engaged in various aspects of the maritime industry, including cargo transportation, commercial fishing and head boats, dredging, passenger excursions, towing and ship assistance. Additionally, he has represented recreational boat owners in various matters. He handled the case which eliminated the economic duress created by the use of the Lloyd's Open Form (LOF) with regard to salvage services for recreational vessels in the United States. His activities in this area involve hull and machinery claims, salvage claims, pollution incidents, charter party disputes, and personal injury and death claims. Mr. Zacharkow also represents various terminal owners and operators regarding issues relating to tariffs, cargo operations, and claims for personal injury and death.

     During his 30 years of practice, Mr. Zacharkow has represented insurers in both first party and third party (recovery) matters. He has provided opinions regarding complex coverage issues arising under various policy forms, including hull, P & I, pollution, cargo, yacht, and comprehensive general liability. His recovery efforts often are related to transportation losses involving marine, air, and motor carrier matters, and property losses involving warehouses and other commercial structures due to fires, flooding/water damage, and structural failure. Mr. Zacharkow's commercial litigation practice includes representation of buyers and sellers in international transactions involving issues related to documentary sales.

     Mr. Zacharkow primarily represents clients in the courts of the tri-state region of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. However, when requested, he also handles cases in other areas of the country, and has litigated matters in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Maryland, New York, and Maine.

     Mr. Zacharkow is an active member of the Maritime Law Association of the United States, and has served on various committees. He is a board member of West Shipyard Preservation Trust, which is dedicated to preserving colonial era shipyard structures and artifacts in the Philadelphia area.

     Mr. Zacharkow is a peer reviewed, AV rated attorney in legal ability and ethical standards.

Practice Areas:

• Admiralty and Maritime
• Insurance
• Litigation

Education:

• Tulane University School of Law, 1980, J.D.
• Franklin and Marshall College, 1974, B.A.

Bar Admissions:

• Pennsylvania, 1980
• New Jersey, 1983
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 1981
• U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey, 1983
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, 2000
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, 2000
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania, 2002
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania, 2004
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit, 1983
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, 2008

Professional Affiliations:

• Association of Average Adjusters of the United States
• Association of Average Adjusters of the United Kingdom (Annual Subscriber)
• Maritime Law Association of the United States
• New Jersey Bar Association
• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Philadelphia Bar Association
• Ports of Philadelphia Maritime Society Association, Board Member