About Lochner Law Firm, P.C.

Boatinglaw.com is the recreational maritime branding for Lochner Law Firm, P.C., whose owner, Todd Lochner, Proctor in Admiralty, been active in maritime and admiralty law since 1999. Mr. Lochner's practice is based in Annapolis, Maryland, and focuses on issues of concern for vessel owners, marine businesses and those that live, work and play on the water. The practice is primarily devoted to maritime litigation, vessel documentation and finance, marine oriented contracts, marine insurance, the defense of enforcement actions based upon Maryland vessel taxation and general business advice to marine clients. Mr. Lochner's firm grew to include six attorneys, which he dissolved in 2010 in order to maintain a maritime focus. Representative clients include: Xquisite Yachts, HH Catamarans, Port Annapolis Marina, the Association of Boat Builders and Repairers, MOPS Insurance, as well as, other marinas, marine businesses and marine insurers over the years.

TODD D. LOCHNER, Esq. - Proctor in Admiralty

Mr. Lochner graduated Cum Laude from the Tulane Law School, with a Maritime Law Certificate from the Tulane Maritime Law Center and a Certificate of Advanced Study and Training in Arbitration. While attending Tulane, Mr. Lochner was a member of the Tulane Maritime Law Journal, where he has also published. His undergraduate studies were completed at The George Washington University. Prior to starting his own law firm in 1999, Mr. Lochner worked at a maritime law firm located in the Port of Baltimore and for the general counsel of Airbus (the North American office).

Mr. Lochner is a member of the bars of the State of Maryland, the United States District Courts for the Districts of Maryland and D.C., as well as, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. He keeps abreast of changes in the maritime law as a member of the Maritime Law Association and by attending education programs sponsored by the Admiralty Law Institute. He has served in the leadership of the Recreational Boating Committee of the Maritime Law Association, the Legal Committee for the United States Sailing Association as well as being a member of the Mid-Atlantic Mariners Club and Marine Trades Association of Maryland. Mr. Lochner is a Past President of the Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association and a Past President of the the Paca-Brent American Inns of Court. He is also currently serving as a member of the Board of Trustees for Annapolis Community Boating, Inc.

Mr. Lochner is an avid sailor who has been a part of the recreational maritime industry since his employment as a sailing instructor in 1992. He is a member of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club and the Severn Sailing Association where he races various sailboats. Recently, Mr. Lochner competed in campaigns for the 2007 and a 2009 Melges 24 World Championships where his team placed first and second respectively in the Corinthian class.

CHASE A. ESHELMAN, Esq.

Mr. Eshelman graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Baltimore School of Law, where he served for two years as a Staff Editor on the University of Baltimore Law Review. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Baltimore, which allowed him to jumpstart his legal career and enter law school one year early by taking advantage of the school’s early entry program. During the September 2020 through 2021 term, Mr. Eshelman served as a law clerk on the Maryland Court of Special Appeals, where he drafted opinions and conducted research on a wide array of legal topics. Mr. Eshelman joined the firm as a law clerk in January 2020, and he returned as an associate following his clerkship with the Court of Special Appeals. Mr. Eshelman is a member of the Maryland State Bar, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the United States District Court for the District of Maryland.

Growing up near Galesville, Maryland, Mr. Eshelman has spent significant time on the water in a recreational capacity. After joining Lochner Law Firm, P.C., Mr. Eshelman was bitten by the sailing bug, and is now an ASA certified sailor, who loves his time on the water.

EUGENE E. SAMARIN, Esq.

Mr. Samarin graduated from Roger Williams University School of Law. While attending Roger Williams, Mr. Samarin focused his studies in the RWU Law Admiralty/Maritime program. During his studies, Mr. Samarin’s course work emphasized Business and Taxation courses. In 2011, he was an intern with the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office, where he assisted the Attorney General’s Office in a complex civil litigation. His undergraduate studies were completed at St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland. Mr. Samarin started with Mr. Lochner in 2007 as a file clerk and assisted Mr. Lochner in various capacities until he formally joined the firm as an attorney in 2016. In 2020, Mr. Samarin was lead counsel for the revisions to all Yacht Brokers Association of America contracts, including listing and purchase agreements, which will be used throughout the United States and Canada.

Currently, Mr. Samarin is appointed as the firm's lead counsel for all Xquisite Yachts and HH Catamarans matters, which range from corproate governance of a multinational corporation, to assiting with vessel purchases and sales, as well as documentation services.

Mr. Samarin is a member of the bars of the State of Maryland and the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. In addition to being a member of the State Bar Association, Mr. Samarin is a Trustee of the James C. Cawood Jr. American Inns of Court, in Annapolis, Maryland. During his collegiate career, Mr. Samarin was a member of the St. John’ College Rowing and Sailing teams and has enjoyed being on the water since he was first introduced to it in 2007.

GREGORY R. SINGER, Esq.

Mr. Singer graduated Cum Laude from the William & Mary School of Law, where he was an accomplished member of the Moot Court and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) teams, as well as the Bill of Rights Journal. Prior to joining Lochner Law Firm, he served in the United States Coast Guard's Judge Advocate General's office in Boston, Massachusetts. Mr. Singer is a member of Maryland State Bar and the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, was named a Superlawyers Rising Star for 2018, 2019, and 2020, and is an associate of the Maritime Law Association of the United States, and a founding member of the Rising Maritime Attorneys of the Chesapeake (R-MAC).

Mr. Singer is a longtime Annapolitan and a lifelong sailor. Prior to his legal practice he worked for seven years on historic sail-training ships, charter vessels, and private yachts in the Caribbean. He holds a 100-ton Coast Guard Master’s license with sail and tow endorsements, and is a member of the Chesapeake Area Professional Captain’s Association. When he is not serving his clients' legal needs, Mr. Singer maintains an active sailboat racing and offshore delivery schedule. His recent accolades include first place at the 2015 Annapolis National Offshore One-Design Championships, and the prestigious City of Annapolis perpetual trophy in 2017 and 2019.

CHRISTOPHER J. McNALLY, Esq. (Of Counsel)

Mr. McNally graduated from Roger Williams University School of Law. While attending Roger Williams, he focused his studies in the RWU Law Admiralty/Maritime program and and was a leading member of Roger Williams Admiralty Moot Court competition team. Since graduation, Mr. McNally has been practicing in Newport, Rhode Island, with a focus on Admiralty/Maritime, Ocean and Coastal Law. His practice centers on dispute resolution and problem solving, utilizing his professional experience as a mariner and attorney to his clients’ advantage.

Mr. McNally is a member of the bars of the State of Massachusetts and Rhode Island and the United States District Court for the Districts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. In addition he holds a USCG 500 Ton Ocean Masters License and a 200 Ton RYA Yacht Master upon Oceans Certificate and has tens of thousands of ocean miles sailing on a multitude of vessels. While no longer sailing full time professionally, Mr. McNally maintains his licenses and remains actively involved in the local sailing community, sailing twelve-meters, delivering yachts and through his involvement in the Cruising Club of America’s Newport Bermuda Race as the chair of Communications and Crisis Management Team.