Danielle J. Grucci Butler
SHAREHOLDER
Fort Lauderdale
954.377.8129
dbutler@fowler-white.com
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With more than 10 years of experience in the maritime industry, Danielle Butler’s practice focuses on transactional and litigation matters for pleasure boats, yachts and commercial vessels.
Danielle handles the full range of transactional matters, including the purchase, sale, financing, construction, chartering, and registration of domestic and foreign vessels. She also negotiates and drafts a variety of maritime-related contracts, including bills of landing, terminal leases, charter parties, shipbuilding contracts and crew agreements. By taking a comprehensive approach and addressing the greater implications of each transaction, Danielle provides value-added services to vessel owners and operators. For example, she regularly counsels clients on tax consequences, federal import duty, liability exposure and compliance with U.S. laws and international treaties.
When a dispute arises, Danielle represents clients in litigation, mediation and arbitration proceedings involving a range of maritime-related claims, such as breach of contract, brokerage commissions, insurance coverage, and vessel arrests, repossessions and foreclosures. She has significant experience handling disputes related to yachts and pleasure boating.
In addition to maritime litigation, Danielle practices in the explosive and fireworks arena. She brings her unique background and experience to bear on this highly specialized and complex area. A licensed pyrotechnician, Danielle has long been involved in her family’s business. Established in 1850, Fireworks by Grucci today produces more than 300 performances annually on both national and international stages.
In the News
Featured, "A New Path," March Magazine, May/June 2010
Radio Interview, “Women in Business Profile: Danielle Butler” Entrepreneur Magazine, Women in Business Radio Talk Show, Hosted by Dr. Gayle Carson, April 7, 2009
Quoted, “Call of Duty: Fall for a Foreign-Built Lovely? Play Fair and She's Yours,” Yachting, April 13, 2009
Quoted, “A Seller's Duty to Disclose,” Boat International USA, April 2008
Quoted, “Legal Issues of Yacht Ownership,” Boat International USA, September 2008
Featured, “Danielle Grucci Butler: Legally Pyrotechnician,” Yachts International, September 2008
Quoted, “Additional Issues for Boat Show Readiness,” FYBA News, October 2008
Selected Published Works
Author, “Good Faith Deposits and Escrow Accounts,” FYBA News, September 2009 (PDF, 76KB)
Author, “The ‘How-To’ on Arresting a Vessel,” FYBA News, August 2009 (PDF, 49KB)
Author, “Yachting Charter Parties,” FYBA News, June/July 2009 (PDF, 17KB)
Author, “Whether to Own Part of the Whole?, " Yachts International, March 2009
Co-Author, “It’s Not Over Till It’s Over: Finalizing The Deal,” FYBA News, November/December 2008
Author, “Conflict of the Contracts,” Boat International USA, October 2008
Co-Author, “How to Offer Yachts For Sale Or Charter At The South Florida Boat Shows,” FYBA News, October 2008
Co-Author, “A Seller’s Duty to Disclose in a Yacht Transaction,” FYBA News, July 2008
Author, “It's All Greek to Me: Uberrimae Fidei and Ambiguities in Marine Insurance Policies,” FYBA News, May/June 2008
Selected Speaking Engagements
Speaker, "Legal Case Studies: A Look at Charters Gone Bad...," Charter Seminar, Florida Yacht Broker's Association, August 2010
Panelist, “The Legalities of Chartering in the USA,” Crew Seminars & Captains Briefing at the 50thAnnual Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, YachtInfo, October 2009
Panelist, “Regulation & Manning Issues: Registration and Classification Choices,” International SuperYacht Symposium, March 2009
Speaker, “How to File an Action in Rem to Arrest a Vessel,” Florida East and West Coast Listings to Closings and The Law Seminars, Florida Yacht Broker’s Association, 2009
Speaker, “Choosing a Registry for a Yacht: Domestic vs. Foreign Registries,” Annual Yacht Sales and The Law Seminar, Florida Yacht Broker’s Association, 2008
Speaker, “Discussion on Demise, Bareboat and Uninspected Charter Contracts,” Annual Charter Seminar, American Yacht Charter Association, June 2008
Speaker, “Maritime Liens: Validity, Filing and Satisfaction of Maritime Liens,” Florida East Coast Listings to Closings and The Law Seminar, Florida Yacht Broker’s Association, 2008
Speaker, “Closing Checklists for State, Federal and Foreign Closings,” Florida West Coast Listings to Closings and The Law Seminar, Florida Yacht Broker’s Association, 2008
Panelist, “Receiving funds in a timely manner, APA distribution, taxes, contract choice and addendums,” Recreational Vessel Charter Seminar, Florida Yacht Broker’s Association, 2007
Professional & Civic Involvement
American Bar Association
New York Law School Alumni Association, Board Member
New York State Bar Association
District of Columbia Bar
Broward County Bar Association
Dade County Bar Association
International Superyacht Society
National Marine Bankers Association
The Marine Council
The Maritime Law Association
Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute
Florida Yacht Broker’s Association
Marine Industries Association of South Florida
Fort Lauderdale Mariners Club