Bureau of Enforcement

The Bureau of Enforcement is the prosecutorial arm of the Commission.  Attorneys in the Bureau serve as trial attorneys in formal administrative proceedings instituted before the Commission under section 11 of the Shipping Act of 1984 ("Shipping Act"). Bureau attorneys work closely with the Commission’s Area Representatives in investigations of potential violations of the Shipping Act and Commission regulations.  Bureau attorneys also negotiate settlements and informal compromises of civil penalties, and act as investigative officers in formal fact-findings under the Shipping Act and under FSPA.

In addition, the Bureau monitors all other formal proceedings before the Commission in order to identify major regulatory issues and provide advice on significant developments.  Attorneys of the Bureau also serve as legal advisors to the Office of Operations and the other  program bureaus and participate in the development of Commission rules and regulations.  On occasion, under the direction of the General Counsel, attorneys from the Bureau may participate in matters of court or other agency litigation to which the Commission is party.