Thomas C. Fitzhugh III

President

The Longshore Institute continues the work of Robert T. Brahm (1934-1995) in meeting the educational and publication needs of those working with The Longshore & Harbor Workers' Compensation Act and its extensions.  Thomas C. Fitzhugh III, recieved his J.D. (with honors) from the University of Texas.  A Houston based maritime attorney with 27 years of experience handling longshore claims, Mr. Fitzhugh, President of The Longshore Institute and the principal seminar presenter, became editor of The Longshore Newsletter in 1996 and supervises the updates of the Longshore Procedure Manual and the The Longshore Court Index. 

A Proctor Member of the Maritime Law Association, Mr. Fitzhugh has written and spoken nationally on maritime topics throughout his legal career, and edited International Perspectives in Maritime Security.  Mr. Fitzhugh serves as General Counsel to the Maritime Security Council, advising shipping companies on maritime security matters, and is an adjunct professor, teaching maritime law, at Texas A&M University.

Matthew H. Ammerman

Editor

Matthew H. Ammerman is a shareholder with the firm of Fitzhugh, Elliott & Ammerman and specializes in the defense of maritime lawsuits and claims, including personal injury and commercial litigation. He regularly handles claims brought under the Jones Act and Longshore & Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (and its extensions) and has been the lead defense attorney in cases in state court, federal court, and before federal administrative law judges with exposure of six figures and above.

He regularly speaks and authors papers on maritime topics and is a member of the University of Texas Admiralty and Maritime Law Planning Committee. He is the editor for all publications produced by The Longshore Institute.

Matthew is active in the Houston Bar Association’s Legal Line volunteer program and the Houston Volunteer Lawyers’ Program, providing legal assistance to hurricane victims.

Julie R. Conlon

Manager

Julie began her career in the legal field in 1989 as a secretary in immigration law.  Soon after, she enrolled in a paralegal program through Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin.  After completion of her paralegal training, she moved to Houston and was employed by a small insurance defense law firm dealing with car accidents and property damage claims.  When the firm dissolved, she left with an attorney who opened his own practice that focused on Guardian Ad Litem appointments from various family courts.  She currently is employed by Fitzhugh, Elliott & Ammerman and manages all the scheduling and office tasks for The Longshore Institute.