Sterling James Stires

Sterling Stires is a founding parter of the California office of Holmes Weddle & Barcott, and has developed a civil litigation practice with an emphasis on maritime law. Along with matters involving the Jones Act, the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, Limitation of Shipowners Liability Act, Ship Repairers Liability, and general maritime law, Mr. Stires also practices in the areas of insurance coverage, insurance bad faith, business litigation and personal injury involving marine and non-marine claims. 

Sterling is a Board Certified Specialist in Admiralty and Maritime Law by the California State Bar Board fo Legal Specialization, and has acheived Martindale-Hubbell's highest peer review rating, AV Preeminent, for ethical standards and legal abilities.  Sterling has been awarded "Top Lawyer in San Diego" by San Diego Magazine in 2014, 2015, and 2016.

While in law school, Sterling received academic achievement awards in Maritime Law and Law of the Sea.

Sterling has had the high honor to have been selected by the State Bar of California to serve on the Admiralty & Maritime Law Advisory Commission Group, which has been created by the Board of Legal Specialization to advise the State Bar of California in the establishment of maritime law as a certified legal specialty in California. Sterling was Chairman of the organization from 2014 through 2014.  Sterling is a Proctor in Admiralty, as designated by the Maritime Law Association of the United States, and has served as the President of the Propeller Club of the United States, Port of San Diego (2006-2007), served as Vice President (2004-2006), and awarded the designation of Governor Emeritus. From 2003 through 2012, Sterling had repeatedly been selected by the Office of Spill Prevention and Response, a division of the California Department of Fish and Game, to act as the Maritime Law Representative to the San Diego Harbor Safety Committee. In this capacity, and serving on a pro bono basis, Sterling has participated in the drafting and revising of provisions within the San Diego Harbor Safety Plan, which is mandated by the California Oil Spill Prevention and Response Act of 1990. As the Maritime Law Representative, Sterling has also taken part in the drafting and revising of regulations and by-laws that have been enacted into California law, as well assisted in the development of the Best Maritime Practices for San Diego Bay, which has been incorporated into the San Diego Harbor Safety Plan.