Lambert Zainey Smith & Soso is proud to announce that three of our attorneys — Hugh “Skip” Lambert, Jacki Smith, and J. Christopher “Chris” Zainey, Jr. — have been selected for inclusion in the 2026 Louisiana Super Lawyers® list. Super Lawyers is a prestigious, peer-reviewed rating service recognizing outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
This continued recognition underscores our firm’s commitment to providing exceptional legal representation and achieving outstanding results for our clients in maritime law, personal injury, and complex litigation.
Chris Zainey Jr. Recognized Among the State’s Elite with Top 50 Honors
In addition to his selection to the main Super Lawyers list, we are thrilled to announce that Chris Zainey Jr. has earned a place on two of the most exclusive lists in the state:
These honors place Chris in the top tier of all attorneys practicing in Louisiana and the greater New Orleans area, regardless of practice area. This distinction is a testament to his formidable skill in the courtroom, his leadership in the legal community, and the exceptional results he consistently achieves for his clients.
Our 2026 Super Lawyers Honorees
We celebrate the individual achievements of our distinguished attorneys.
J. Christopher “Chris” Zainey, Jr.
Super Lawyers (2019-2026) & Top 50 (2026)
Partner Chris Zainey’s repeated selection to the Louisiana Super Lawyers list, now elevated by his Top 50 honors, recognizes his tireless advocacy for his clients in catastrophic injury, maritime law, and complex litigation. His commitment to justice and leadership in the legal community sets a standard for excellence.
Hugh “Skip” P. Lambert
Super Lawyers (2007-2026)
Founding partner Hugh Lambert’s selection marks his 18th consecutive year on the Louisiana Super Lawyers list. This remarkable consistency highlights a career defined by success in high-stakes maritime, environmental, and class action litigation, earning him a reputation as one of the most respected trial lawyers in the Gulf South.
Jacki Smith
Rising Stars (2019-2026)
For the 8th consecutive year, partner Jacki Smith has been named to the Louisiana Rising Stars list. This honor recognizes the top up-and-coming attorneys in the state who are 40 years old or younger or have been in practice for 10 years or less. Jacki’s continued recognition underscores her formidable skill and dedication to her clients, particularly injured seamen and commercial divers.
About the Super Lawyers Selection Process
Super Lawyers, a part of Thomson Reuters, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas. The selection process is rigorous and includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates, and peer reviews by practice area. No more than 5 percent of the lawyers in a state are selected to the Super Lawyers list, and no more than 2.5 percent are selected to the Rising Stars list, making this a highly coveted and credible honor.
About Lambert Zainey Smith & Soso
For over 40 years, Lambert Zainey has been a trusted advocate for individuals and families in New Orleans and across the nation. Our firm is dedicated to holding negligent corporations and insurance companies accountable, with a primary focus on maritime law, offshore injuries, industrial accidents, and catastrophic personal injury claims.
Contact Our Award-Winning Team
If you need a team of proven, recognized, and dedicated attorneys on your side, contact us today. We offer a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case and explain how we can help.
Lambert Zainey Smith & Soso is proud to announce that three of our attorneys — Hugh “Skip” Lambert, Jacki Smith, and J. Christopher “Chris” Zainey, Jr. — have been selected for inclusion in the 2026 Louisiana Super Lawyers® list. Super Lawyers is a prestigious, peer-reviewed rating service recognizing outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
This continued recognition underscores our firm’s commitment to providing exceptional legal representation and achieving outstanding results for our clients in maritime law, personal injury, and complex litigation.
Chris Zainey Jr. Recognized Among the State’s Elite with Top 50 Honors
In addition to his selection to the main Super Lawyers list, we are thrilled to announce that Chris Zainey Jr. has earned a place on two of the most exclusive lists in the state:
These honors place Chris in the top tier of all attorneys practicing in Louisiana and the greater New Orleans area, regardless of practice area. This distinction is a testament to his formidable skill in the courtroom, his leadership in the legal community, and the exceptional results he consistently achieves for his clients.
Our 2026 Super Lawyers Honorees
We celebrate the individual achievements of our distinguished attorneys.
J. Christopher “Chris” Zainey, Jr.
Super Lawyers (2019-2026) & Top 50 (2026)
Partner Chris Zainey’s repeated selection to the Louisiana Super Lawyers list, now elevated by his Top 50 honors, recognizes his tireless advocacy for his clients in catastrophic injury, maritime law, and complex litigation. His commitment to justice and leadership in the legal community sets a standard for excellence.
Hugh “Skip” P. Lambert
Super Lawyers (2007-2026)
Founding partner Hugh Lambert’s selection marks his 18th consecutive year on the Louisiana Super Lawyers list. This remarkable consistency highlights a career defined by success in high-stakes maritime, environmental, and class action litigation, earning him a reputation as one of the most respected trial lawyers in the Gulf South.
Jacki Smith
Rising Stars (2019-2026)
For the 8th consecutive year, partner Jacki Smith has been named to the Louisiana Rising Stars list. This honor recognizes the top up-and-coming attorneys in the state who are 40 years old or younger or have been in practice for 10 years or less. Jacki’s continued recognition underscores her formidable skill and dedication to her clients, particularly injured seamen and commercial divers.
About the Super Lawyers Selection Process
Super Lawyers, a part of Thomson Reuters, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas. The selection process is rigorous and includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates, and peer reviews by practice area. No more than 5 percent of the lawyers in a state are selected to the Super Lawyers list, and no more than 2.5 percent are selected to the Rising Stars list, making this a highly coveted and credible honor.
About Lambert Zainey Smith & Soso
For over 40 years, Lambert Zainey has been a trusted advocate for individuals and families in New Orleans and across the nation. Our firm is dedicated to holding negligent corporations and insurance companies accountable, with a primary focus on maritime law, offshore injuries, industrial accidents, and catastrophic personal injury claims.
Contact Our Award-Winning Team
If you need a team of proven, recognized, and dedicated attorneys on your side, contact us today. We offer a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case and explain how we can help.
