Erik D. Garza is the managing partner of SBSB Eastham’s Galveston office. His practice centers primarily on admiralty and maritime, energy, insurance, local counsel, and general counsel matters. He has represented clients ranging from vessel owners and charterers, to P&I clubs and marine insurers, in all manner of marine casualty losses and contract disputes. He has represented clients in state, federal, and administrative courts, as well as before the United States Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board.

Before joining the firm in April 2024, he served for three years as Vice President and General Counsel at the international risk consulting firm ABS Group of Companies, Inc. Prior to that, he served seven years as Associate General Counsel at the American Bureau of Shipping, an international classification society, supporting its Americas operations and overseeing the enterprise’s global insurance program.

Erik earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University before going on to graduate with his Juris Doctorate from Seton Hall University School of Law. He is admitted to the State Bar of Texas and is licensed to practice before every U.S. District Court in the state, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court. He is a Proctor in Admiralty, with the Maritime Law Association of the United States. Erik has been recognized as a Rising Star in Transportation and Maritime by Super Lawyers and a Houston Top Lawyer in Energy and Natural Resources by H Texas Magazine. He is a former President of the Southern District of Texas Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, former Skipper of the Houston Mariners Club, past SEALI Port Director, past Member of the Planning Committee of the Houston Marine & Energy Insurance Conference, and past Board Member of the Houston International Seafarers Center.