David Paul Horan, Partner/Shareholder

DAVID PAUL HORAN believes that a true Patriot must always be ready to defend his country against its government.  David Paul's innovative use of Constitutional Law and the Civil Rights Act has earned him a national and international reputation in admiralty and maritime law, environmental law and fisheries law.

 Born to a U.S. Air Force family in Rome Georgia, he lost his father to a mid-air collision at the age of 15.  After graduating with a degree in science (Marine Biology, Chemistry and Physics), he had a short work history as a Naval Aviation Cadet (NAVCAD), teacher, personnel manager and skin and scuba diving instructor.  He remains an avid diver and enjoys spearfishing during his infrequent escapes from his office.  He owns a twin engine Piper Seneca II and has logged over 3500 hours of flight time. 

 Mr. Horan's community involvement includes serving as a Director of the Greater Key West Chamber of Commerce since 1973 (President in 1998), Member of the Key West Military Affairs Committee (Chairman in 1991), Member of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Counsel (1997/2000), Mote Marine Keys Advisory Board (2000 to Present) and numerous other Boards and Commissions.  In 2001 Mr. Horan was inducted into the Key West Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame, Key West's highest community service award.

 Mr. Horan is licensed to practice in all Florida State Courts, Florida Southern and Middle District courts, four (4) United States Courts of Appeal, and the United States Supreme Court.

 Representing most of the modern-salvors, he fought the seven (7) year long case for Mel Fisher/Treasure Salvors that culminated in his successful oral argument before the United States Supreme Court.  His salvage cases include the Spanish Galleon Nuestra Senora de Atocha of the 1622 Fleet and aircraft, including recently, a Boeing B-17 G recovered from a Lake in Northern Labrador, Canada.

 In 1979, Mr. Horan hired a great legal secretary and by 1981, she had become his best friend who, in 1982 became his wife.  Karen Horan continues to work as his secretary.  Mr. Horan is the proud father of five (5) children.

• Young v. DCA 1993

• Wood v. Verity 1989

• Weiszmann v. District Engineer, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers 1976

• U.S. v. Sexton Cove Estates, Inc. 1975

• U.S. v. Board of Trustees of Florida Keys Community College 1982

• Treasure Salvors, Inc. v. Unidentified, Wrecked and Abandoned Sailing Vessel 1983

• Treasure Salvors, Inc. v. Unidentified Wrecked and Abandoned Sailing Vessel 1981

• Treasure Salvors, Inc. v. Unidentified Wrecked & Abandoned Sailing Vessel 1981

• Treasure Salvors, Inc. v. Unidentified Wrecked & Abandoned Sailing Vessel 1978

• Treasure Salvors, Inc. v. Abandoned Sailing Vessel Believed to Be Nuestra Senora De Atocha 1976

• State of Fla., Dept. of State v. Treasure Salvors, Inc. 1980

• Southeastern Fisheries Ass'n., Inc. v. Martinez 1991

• Southeastern Fisheries Ass'n., Inc. v. Chiles 1995

• Southeastern Fisheries Ass'n., Inc. v. Chiles 1992

• Sindia Expedition, Inc. v. Wrecked and Abandoned Vessel, Known as The Sindia 1990

• Sindia Expedition, Inc. v. Wrecked and Abandoned Vessel, Known as The Sindia 1989

• Riebe v. Unidentified, Wrecked and Abandoned 18th Century Shipwreck 1987

• Organized Fishermen of Florida, Inc. v. Franklin 1994

• Klein v. Unidentified, Wrecked and Abandoned Sailing Vessel 1983

• Klein v. Unidentified Wrecked and Abandoned Sailing Vessel 1985

• Jupiter Wreck, Inc. v. Unidentified, Wrecked and Abandoned Sailing Vessel 1988

• Hamm v. Powell 1990

• Gardner v. Bateman 1991

• Florida Dept. of State v. Treasure Salvors, Inc. 1982

• Division of Archives, History and Records Management, Dept. of State v. Austin 1984

• Cobb Coin Co., Inc. v. Unidentified, Wrecked and Abandoned Sailing Vessel 1982

• Cobb Coin Co., Inc. v. Unidentified, Wrecked and Abandoned Sailing Vessel 1981

• Cobb Coin Co. v. Unidentified Wrecked and Abandoned Sailing Vessel 1981

• Bethell v. State of Fla. 1984

• Bateman v. U.S. Dept. of Commerce 1991

• Bateman v. Gardner 1990

• Allen v. Freeman 1988