SBSB Eastham Founders Cement Elite Status in U.S. Maritime Law

HOUSTON, TX – January 09, 2026 – In a striking validation of its leadership in one of the law’s most specialized fields, Schouest, Bamdas, Soshea, BenMaier & Eastham PLLC (SBSB Eastham) announced that all four of its founding partners have been named to the 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America guide. The prestigious list, which recognizes the nation's most accomplished attorneys, now includes the entire founding leadership of the Houston-based firm, a rare collective achievement that underscores its formidable presence in admiralty and maritime law.

Firm managing partner John Schouest, who was recognized by Lawdragon in the previous year, is joined by first-time honorees Limor BenMaier, Rob Bamdas, and Brad Soshea. All four were distinguished for their exceptional work in the complex domain of admiralty and maritime law. This recognition places the firm’s architects among the top 0.1% of lawyers in the United States, capping a period of significant growth and numerous accolades for the national firm.

A Mark of National Prestige

Inclusion in the Lawdragon 500 is more than a simple accolade; it is a distinction earned through a rigorous, journalism-based research process. For over three decades, Lawdragon has built a reputation for its independent and peer-reviewed methodology. Honorees are selected after extensive research, submissions, and consultations with legal experts. The guide requires candidates to have demonstrated outstanding skills for a minimum of 15 years, with most holding partnership or significant leadership positions within their firms. This selection process elevates the Lawdragon 500 beyond a mere directory to a curated list of the legal profession’s most influential figures.

For law firms, such rankings serve as a powerful third-party endorsement that significantly impacts business. In an industry where trust and expertise are paramount, a place on the Lawdragon 500 enhances credibility and provides a competitive advantage. It can influence client decisions, attract high-caliber legal talent, and solidify a firm's brand as a market leader. For SBSB Eastham, having its entire founding team recognized simultaneously sends an unequivocal message about the depth of its expertise and the strength of its leadership.

The Elite Quartet: A Convergence of Expertise

The collective honor is a testament to the unique and complementary skills of each founding partner. Their combined experience forms the bedrock of a firm that has rapidly ascended to the top tier of maritime law.

John Schouest, the firm’s managing partner, is no stranger to top honors. His second consecutive year on the Lawdragon 500 list follows his inclusion in the 2025 Lawdragon 100 Managing Partners You Need to Know and being named “Lawyer of the Year” for admiralty and maritime law by The Best Lawyers in America for the fourth time. He has been instrumental in steering the firm’s strategic direction, particularly through its transformative 2022 merger that created the current legal powerhouse.

Limor BenMaier, a Houston-based managing partner and first-time honoree, brings a deep academic and international perspective. Holding a Master of Law degree in admiralty from the renowned Tulane University, she has dual U.S. and Israeli citizenship and is fluent in Hebrew. Her AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and consistent recognition by The Best Lawyers in America highlight a career dedicated to mastering the intricacies of maritime, insurance, and labor law.

Rob Bamdas, who manages the firm’s Boca Raton office, is also a first-time Lawdragon 500 inductee. With 25 years of experience, his practice is notably diverse, covering everything from workers' compensation and the Defense Base Act to commercial liability. Colleagues note his methodical, problem-solving approach, honed by a background in mechanics and business management, which allows him to dissect complex liability cases with precision.

Brad Soshea, another Houston managing partner and first-time honoree, offers an invaluable perspective gained from public service. His prior role as the District Director for the U.S. Department of Labor in Houston provided him with unparalleled knowledge of the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act. This unique background makes him a leading authority on maritime workers' compensation and Defense Base Act litigation, providing clients with insights that are both strategic and deeply informed by regulatory experience.

Navigating a Sea of Complexity

The partners' recognition comes at a time when expertise in maritime law is more critical than ever. The global shipping industry, the backbone of international trade, is facing a tidal wave of new regulations and emerging risks. From environmental mandates to cybersecurity threats, the legal landscape is in constant flux.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is aggressively pushing a decarbonization agenda. New rules set to take effect in the coming years, including a global fuel standard and a pricing system for greenhouse gases, will force vessel owners and operators to make significant investments and operational changes. These regulations, part of MARPOL Annex VI, create complex compliance challenges that carry substantial financial and legal risks. Failure to adhere to new standards for emissions, ballast water management, and operational efficiency can lead to severe penalties and litigation.

Simultaneously, the industry’s increasing digitalization has opened a new front for threats. Geopolitical tensions have correlated with a spike in cyberattacks targeting maritime organizations, with incidents causing significant financial losses and operational disruptions. Navigating these digital waters requires a sophisticated understanding of both technology and law to manage risk and respond to breaches effectively. Firms like SBSB Eastham, with their deep bench of seasoned litigators, are essential in helping clients anticipate these challenges, ensure compliance, and defend their interests when disputes arise.

Charting a Course for Growth

The Lawdragon honors are a validation of the strategic vision that led to the formation of SBSB Eastham. The firm was established in March 2022 through a pivotal merger of Schouest, Bamdas, Soshea & BenMaier PLLC and Eastham, Watson, Dale & Forney, LLP. This move combined a dynamic, fast-growing trial firm with a legacy institution renowned for its maritime law prowess, creating an entity with both broad reach and specialized depth.

This strategy has fueled remarkable growth. Since its initial inception as a smaller group in 2015, the firm has expanded from 18 attorneys to nearly 200 professionals across eight national offices. This expansion has been client-driven, focused on adding the experience and practice areas necessary to serve as a comprehensive legal resource for clients in the maritime, energy, and insurance sectors.

“Being recognized in Lawdragon’s Leading Lawyers underscores the deep expertise and leadership we are proud to bring to the highly complex field of admiralty and maritime law,” said Mr. Schouest in a statement. “This recognition also reflects our unwavering commitment to our clients’ success.”

This commitment is further evidenced by a string of recent accolades. In 2025 alone, the firm earned top-tier national rankings from Best Law Firms and saw numerous partners, including the founders, listed in The Best Lawyers in America. The collective recognition by Lawdragon serves as the latest and perhaps most significant milestone, cementing the firm's status not just as a growing enterprise, but as a nationally recognized leader whose founding partners are at the very pinnacle of their profession.