Megan Ahrens Sullivan
Of Counsel
Phone: (513) 707-4247
Email: mahrens@smbplaw.com
Download contact infoMegan Ahrens Sullivan has devoted the majority of her career to handling a variety of claims for the firm’s admiralty and maritime clients. She is experienced in managing all aspects of civil litigation, incident investigation, and contract negotiation and drafting. Megan is licensed before numerous state and federal bars, allowing her to represent maritime companies throughout the inland river system at both the trial and appeal levels. Megan has co-authored numerous publications relating to an assortment of maritime law topics, including seaman status and other liability topics.
Megan is also proficient in handling various premises liability and personal injury matters.
Megan is a Cincinnati native and is happily married to her husband, Matthew Sullivan.
Representative Matters
- In re: Excell Marine Corporation, Civil No. 16-CV-131 (N.D. Ala. 2015) Litigation arising from collision between pontoon boat and tow on Wilson Lake (Tennessee River) resulting in six claims, including two wrongful death claims.
- Marquette Transportation Co. v. Kinder Morgan G.P., Inc., et al., Civil No. 15-CV-57 (W.D. Ky. 2015) Litigation on behalf of barge owners against fleeter and line haul operation following 30 barge breakaway.
- In re: Ingram Barge Co., Civil No. 13-CV-3453 (N.D. Ill. 2013) Obtained very favorable settlement for helper boat involved in litigation arising from allision of barges with Dam prompting filing of Limitation of Liability action and resulting in excess of 200 claims due to alleged flooding of City of Marseilles, Illinois.
- Edington v. Madison Coal & Supply Co., Civil No. 08-CV-69 (E.D. Ky. 2010) Obtained defense verdict in wrongful death action by establishing that capsizing of pleasure craft and subsequent drowning death of pleasure craft operator was proximately caused by pleasure craft operator’s sole extraordinary negligence.
- Great American Ins. Co. v. United States, Civil No. 05-CV-205 (S.D. Ohio 2009) Received judgment in excess of $1 Million in subrogation claim arising from allision of tow with unmarked, submerged pier at Lock 52 on Ohio River. Established violation of marking regulations required application of the Pennsylvania rule against U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
- Thalji v. TECO Barge Line, Civil No. 05-CV-226 (W.D. Ky. 2007) Achieved defense verdict in Jones Act case tried to jury, which arose from an incident involving the vessel’s face-up winch resulting in permanent back injuries.
- Clark v. W&M Kraft, Inc., Civil No. 05-CV-725 (S.D. Ohio 2007) Successfully defended Jones Act claim on basis of seaman status negating jury verdict in excess of $11 Million. Achieved summary judgment on cross-claim following appeal to U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and remand to the trial court.
Honors
- Ohio Super Lawyers – Rising Star 2009, 2012, 2014-2017
