The Admiralty staff of the Torts Branch specializes, on the defensive side, in cases involving collisions at sea, groundings, seamen's injuries, search and rescue and other actions relating to the government's regulation of the nation's waterways. On the affirmative side, the cases include mortgage foreclosure, damage to government property, and certain cases involving oil pollution. The admiralty staff also handles cases filed in district courts involving maritime contracts, both defensive and affirmative. The Admiralty staff generally retains primary responsibility for the defense of admiralty litigation, including preparation and trial. In any admiralty case handled primarily by an AUSA, there should be close cooperation with the Admiralty staff.

In addition to the main office in Washington, D.C., there is a field office in San Francisco that handles West Coast maritime cases.

[updated April 2018]