Monterey Maritime & Yacht Law – Brokerage, Escrow, Charter Law, LLC + Trust Structuring, Litigation & Asset Protection

Protecting Monterey yacht owners, charter operators, and investors with comprehensive maritime legal services and trust-based vessel planning.

Legal Strategy for Coastal Vessel Owners & Maritime Professionals

Monterey’s deep maritime heritage and active harbor make it a destination for both recreational yacht owners and working charter captains. Whether you’re managing a luxury vessel, fishing business, or planning a transfer of ownership, your vessel deserves more than boilerplate documentation — it deserves a strategy.

I’m Christopher M. Brainard, Esq. — a California maritime attorney, yacht broker, and complex asset protection lawyer. For over 27 years, I’ve served vessel owners up and down the coast, including those based in Monterey Bay, Cannery Row, and surrounding harbors.  I am also an complex litigation expert in maritime law, brokerage, and admiralty related disputes.

Maritime Legal Services for Monterey Harbor

• ✔ Yacht & Fishing Vessel Sales + Escrow
• ✔ CA DMV & USCG Transfers
• ✔ Charter Contracts – Bareboat & Commercial
• ✔ LLC Formation + Living Trust Integration
• ✔ Maritime Liens, Disputes & Litigation
• ✔ Commission Conflicts for Brokers
• ✔ Tax-Efficient Ownership Transfers
• ✔ Succession Planning for Coastal Asset Portfolios

Who I Serve in Monterey

• Luxury Yacht Owners: Protection and planning across multiple jurisdictions and generations
• Fishing & Charter Operators: Clear contracts, liability mitigation, and lien defense
• High-Net-Worth Families: Estate integration with coastal assets and confidential structuring

Why Clients Choose My Firm

• Brokerage + Legal Dual Experience: I understand both the business and the law of yachts and vessels.
• Trust-Based Structuring: I place vessels inside LLCs and revocable living trusts for maximum protection and tax efficiency.
• Litigation Strength: I’ve handled disputes across California involving ownership, liens, and commissions.
• Discreet, Personalized Representation: Your privacy, your plan, your peace of mind.

Let’s Get Your Vessel Legally Aligned

If you own or operate a vessel out of Monterey and want to ensure it’s protected legally — in both the present and future — I’m here to help.

📞 Call or Text: (310) 266–4115
🌐 Website: www.LawBrainard.com
📝 Start Online: Complete Our Maritime Intake Form

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“Chris made the transfer of our fishing charter vessel into an LLC and trust seamless. His knowledge of both law and harbor practice was invaluable.”
— Charter Operator, Monterey Bay

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*This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. An attorney-client relationship is only formed through a signed agreement.*