Saltwater Soul

Tonya J. Meister knew early on that she would have a lifelong fascination with all things maritime. “The sea has always brought me joy, perspective and wonder,” says the transportation and maritime lawyer at Meister Law in Miami. “On one hand, it inspires me to seek adventure and explore. On the other hand, it provides me with feelings of peace and wellbeing.” Starting as a youngster, she loved swimming and boating, then went on to “embrace any waterborne hobby”—sailing, surfing, fishing, kayaking and scuba diving.

Even that wasn’t enough for Meister, who turned her passion into a career. “As a NAUI Divemaster and finding my way as a competitive sailor—captain of my own enthusiastic team—it was my early work experience that put me on the voyage.” Working as part of the crew on a diving sailboat, she says, “I witnessed firsthand how the rights of boaters/passengers and crew need specialized, dedicated protection on the water.”

So Meister became board certified in admiralty law. In 2009, she submitted an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in Atlantic Sounding Co. v. Townsend, a landmark ruling in favor of crew members’ rights to safe conditions.

She still can’t stay out of the water—and she’s passed that passion down to her young teen daughters, Isabella and Clara, who sail and swim.

“I feel truly blessed,” Meister says, “to incorporate my love of the sea in both my personal life and professional life.”