Press Release - September 10, 2025

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​Joel Buffa Joins Collier Walsh Nakazawa as an Associate

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Collier Walsh Nakazawa LLP is pleased to announce the addition of Joel Buffa as an

Associate in the Firm's Long Beach office.

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"We are pleased to welcome Joel Buffa to Collier Walsh Nakazawa. His extensive experience across multiple facets of the maritime industry further strengthens our already distinguished team and reinforces our ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional service to our clients," said Collier Walsh Nakazawa Partner Joe Walsh.

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Joel brings a unique blend of seagoing, operations, and insurance experience to his legal practice. A former U.S. Coast Guard-licensed Master and Senior Dynamic Positioning Operator, his background includes offshore operations, port logistics, and the launch of the nation's first fully automated container terminal. He also spent nearly a decade underwriting marine insurance risks, giving him practical insight into vessel casualties, cargo disputes, and regulatory matters. Joel earned his J.D. from Loyola Law School of Los Angeles, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the International and Comparative Law Review and was recognized by the ABA for his scholarship in admiralty and maritime law.​​​​​​

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About Collier Walsh Nakazawa

Collier Walsh Nakazawa LLP is a Maritime Law Firm located on the west coast of the United States with offices in Long Beach, CA and Seattle, WA. The firm provides high quality legal services to businesses in the Marine, International Trade, and Energy Industries. The Firm is committed to doing what is best for clients, focusing on transparency and candor in reaching practical, cost-effective outcomes. The Firm’s seven partners bring over 150 years of Marine Law and Maritime Industry experience to the table. 

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Media Contact: Robert J. Simpson

Waverider Communications

Tel: (617) 850-2529

Email: rob@waveridercomm.com​​​