Chris believes it is an honor to serve as an advocate for those who may be unable to speak up for themselves.
J. Christopher Zainey, Jr. (“Chris”) is a tireless protector of his clients and the community at large. In his legal practice, Chris focuses on maritime law / Jones Act cases, wrongful death cases, catastrophic personal injury cases, motor vehicle accidents, complex tort litigation (including Multi-District Litigation), governmental affairs / government representation and business disputes.
Prior to his career in the private sector, Chris served as a Federal Judicial Law Clerk to United States District Court Judge James J. Brady of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana.
Throughout his career, Chris has always focused on putting others first. For him, it is an honor to serve as an advocate for those who may be unable to speak up for themselves. He knows a case has been successful when he has positively impacted a person’s life and has given them the access to justice that they may have otherwise never received. Chris cares about his clients deeply, and his passion and commitment in ensuring that they receive a just result is without compromise.
While he has successfully litigated hundreds of diverse and complex cases over the course of his career, a select few of Chris’s most high-profile cases include his work with the Plaintiff’s Steering Committee’s Trial and Deposition Teams in MDL-2179 In re: Oil Spill by the Oil Rig “Deepwater Horizon” in the Gulf of Mexico, on April 20, 2010, his representation of multiple governmental entities against opioid manufacturers and distributors in MDL-2804 In re: National Prescription Opiate Litigation, as well as his pursuit for justice on behalf of New Orleans Saints legend Jonathan Vilma against the National Football League and Roger Goodell.
Chris is also passionate about providing legal options to those who are most in need. He is a long-time volunteer with Homeless Experience Legal Protection (or HELP), an organization that provides pro bono legal assistance to homeless individuals. Further, Chris serves on the Board of Directors of St. Andrew’s Village, a residential and working community for adults with developmental disabilities, in addition to serving as a coach / buddy for adults with special needs in the Miracle League New Orleans basketball and baseball programs.
Chris is driven by his compassion and strong work ethic which both positively impact each and every one of his clients. Additionally, as a frequent guest lecturer on maritime law and federal trial practice and procedure issues, among other areas of his litigation practice, Chris is frequently retained, and always enjoys the opportunity, to assist other attorneys in their time of need when handling their own complex matters and clients before them.
In addition to his litigation practice, Chris is also a qualified and trained civil mediator and is regularly retained to help parties resolve their own complex cases between them.
Loyola University New Orleans School of Law, J.D.
The University of Mississippi, B.A.
State of Louisiana
Unites States District Court Eastern District of Louisiana
United States District Court Middle District of Louisiana
United States District Court Western District of Louisiana
United States District Court Southern District of Texas
United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Ohio, Texas, United States Virgin Islands
Louisiana State Bar Association
Louisiana Association for Justice
American Association for Justice
Federal Bar Association
New Orleans Bar Association
Jefferson Bar Association (Past Member)
Baton Rouge Bar Association (Past Member)
Terrebonne Parish Bar Association (Past Member)
National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers: 2021 – 2022
Louisiana Super Lawyers: 2019-2022
Louisiana Super Lawyers Louisiana Rising Stars: 2015-2018
The Best Lawyers in America® for Personal Injury Law: 2021 – 2022
Louisiana State Bar Association House of Delegates – past member
Louisiana State Bar Association Board of Governors
Louisiana State Bar Association Nominating Committee
Louisiana State Bar Association Community Action Committee Chairman
Louisiana State Bar Association Legislative Committee – past member
Louisiana State Bar Association Client Assistance Fund Committee – past member
Louisiana State Bar Association Leadership LSBA Class Member (2011-2012)
Federal Bar Association – Board of Directors (2022-present)
Federal Bar Association – YLD Board of Directors (2013-2022)
Louisiana Association for Justice – New Lawyers Division Co-Chairman (2017-2021)
Louisiana Association for Justice – Membership Committee Co-Chairman (2019-present)
LSU Law School Trial Advocacy Program – Teaching Faculty
Tulane University Law School – Past Intersession Adjunct Faculty – Civil Litigation
Homeless Experience Legal Protection Program (HELP) – Volunteer
Support of Lawyers/Legal Personnel ALL Concerned Encouraged (“SOLACE”) Volunteer
Pro Bono Project Volunteer
Loyola University Institute of Politics – Fellow
Miracle League of Greater New Orleans – Coach
St. Andrew’s Village Board of Directors
Covenant House “Sleep Out” Participant
Received Law Excellence Award for receiving the Highest Grade in Maritime Personal Injury (Loyola Law School)
Annual Guest Lecturer – Louisiana State Bar Association’s Summer School Program Admiralty Update – Destin, Florida
Annual Guest Lecturer – Louisiana State Bar Association’s Admiralty Symposium – New Orleans, LA
Regular Guest Lecturer at Loyola University Law School, Tulane University Law School and the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center on various topics including Federal Practice and Procedure, Oral Advocacy, Trial Advocacy and Environmental Toxic Torts
Regular Guest Lecturer and CLE speaker on various topics for the Louisiana Association for Justice, the Louisiana State Bar Association and various other legal organizations, including topics relating to Ethics and Professionalism
“Seacor Power: The Complexities of a Mass Maritime Disaster”, La. Assoc. for Justice, High Stakes on the High Seas Maritime Law Conference, 2022
