Serena represents clients in maritime and ocean law matters, as well as general international trade issues.
Serena represents ocean carriers, marine terminal operators, ocean transportation intermediaries (OTIs), and other shipping and trade stakeholders in matters related to containerized ocean vessel transit and port operations. A former Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) attorney, she advises on FMC regulations, shipping restrictions, and licensing requirements for OTIs. Serena is well-versed in detention and demurrage issues and applying the Shipping Act and Ocean Shipping Reform Act to protect clients. In addition to her maritime law work, she also offers counsel on international trade regulations, customs matters, tariffs, and export controls.
Prior to joining Husch Blackwell, Serena litigated precedential cases with millions of dollars at stake as a trial attorney at the FMC. She also clerked at the U.S. Court of International Trade and gained insight into the real-world impact of trade policy on the nation’s imported goods. Serena’s previous jobs also enforced the importance of trade and shipping to daily life. At the beginning of her legal career, Serena clerked in Sitka, Alaska where she saw firsthand how Americans depend on shipping and imports for everyday needs. And prior to law school, she was employed as a cheesemonger, where she worked with cheese importers and regularly dealt with importers and FDA restrictions on food imports—giving her a personal understanding of the impact trade matters can have on clients’ businesses.
Serena joined Husch Blackwell’s International Trade & Supply Chain team in 2025, drawn by the opportunity to focus on client needs and to build a full-service trade practice. She is known for her ability to make complex legal issues simple, both for clients and in the courtroom. With a practical approach and a commitment to helping businesses move forward, Serena works to find solutions and get results.