Charles Culp Burlingham

He became a leader in the field of admiralty law, and took up private practice in a series of partnerships, eventually becoming lead partner in the firm Burlingham, Veeder, Masten, & Feary, a precursor to the modern firm of Burlingham Underwood LLP, which closed in 2002.

His most famous client in private practice was White Star Line, which he successfully represented before the United States Supreme Court in 1912, following the sinking of the RMS Titanic.

The case resulted in a landmark ruling that American laws were applicable to foreign shipping firms facing lawsuits in United States courts, and limited the total liability of the company to $91,000 in lawsuits brought by the families of Titanic passengers.

[1] Burlingham was best known for his involvement in civic and legal reform in New York City, a commitment which earned him the nickname “first citizen of New York.”[2] After being admitted to the bar, he served in leadership positions in a number of prominent civic organizations.

Burlingham was a prominent participant in New York City judicial and electoral politics, and his influence was instrumental in beginning the legal careers of, among others, Benjamin Cardozo and Learned Hand.