EDUCATION

California Western School of Law

San Diego, California

J.D. (1998)

Academic Achievement Award in Law of the Sea (1998)

Academic Achievement Award in Admiralty Law (1997)

University of San Diego

San Diego, California

B.A., Ocean Studies (Winter) 1995

LEGAL CAREER

Mr. Stires 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. Mr. Stires began his exposure to maritime law while in law school, when he worked for the Director of the International Legal Studies program. He conducted extensive research regarding legal developments in International Law of the Sea for a published article in International Lawyer. Mr. Stires received academic achievement awards in Maritime Law and Law of the Sea. He has given lectures regarding maritime legal issues to various organizations, such as the Puget Sound Maritime Claims Association, and others. Mr. Stires has been selected by the State Bar of California to serve on the Admiralty & Maritime Law Consulting Group, which has recently been commissioned by the Board of Legal Specialization to advise the State Bar regarding the establishment of maritime law as a certified legal specialty in California.  Mr. Stires is currently President of the Propeller Club of the United States, Port of San Diego, served as Vice President from 2004 through 2006, and as Governor of the Propeller Club from 2003 through 2004; and has been selected by Office of Spill Prevention and Response of the California Department of Fish and Game to act as the Maritime Law Representataive to the San Diego Harbor Safety Committee (2006-2009).  Mr. Stires' work for the San Diego Harbor Safety Committee has included drafting, revising, and participating in the preparation of regulations and bylaws that have been enacted into California law.

PROFESSIONAL

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)  

American Bar Association (1998)

San Diego County Bar Association (1999)

North County Bar Association (1998)

 Admiralty and Maritime Law Consulting Group, State Bar of California (2006-2009)

Maritime Law Association of the United States

Propeller Club of the United States, Port of San Diego (President, 2006-2007; Vice President, 2004-2006; Governor, 2003-2004)

San Diego Harbor Safety Committee; Maritime LawRepresentative; member of the Navigation Safety and Piloting Subcommittee (NAVSAFE); member of the Bylaws Drafting Working Group)