Zeringue Jr Wayne G

For businesses and individuals in Louisiana facing complex legal challenges within the maritime, energy, construction, or manufacturing sectors, having a highly experienced and strategically astute legal advocate is essential. In New Orleans, Wayne G. Zeringue Jr., a distinguished partner in the Maritime Practice Group and the Energy, Environmental, and and Natural Resources Industry Team at Jones Walker LLP, stands as a formidable legal professional. With over 30 years of extensive experience, Mr. Zeringue has dedicated his career to representing marine and energy clients in a broad range of intricate litigation and transactional matters.

Mr. Zeringue's practice is deeply rooted in the nuanced fields of admiralty and maritime law, oil and gas, construction, products liability, and environmental litigation. His comprehensive understanding of these specialized areas, combined with his proven track record, makes him a trusted advisor and litigator for a diverse clientele, including oil companies, exploration and production companies, builders, owners, marine fabricators, shipyards, and insurers. Having obtained a business degree in petroleum land management prior to law school, Mr. Zeringue brings a unique and practical perspective to energy-related disputes. His involvement in significant cases, including the BP oil spill multi-district litigation, further solidifies his reputation as a leading attorney capable of handling the most challenging legal scenarios.

Wayne G. Zeringue Jr. practices from the New Orleans office of Jones Walker LLP, which is strategically located in a prominent building within the city's vibrant financial district. You can find his office at:

201 St Charles Ave #5100, New Orleans, LA 70170, USA

This address places the office firmly within the heart of the Central Business District (CBD), offering excellent accessibility for clients throughout the Greater New Orleans area and those traveling from other parts of Louisiana. St. Charles Avenue is a well-known thoroughfare, easily reachable by various modes of transportation, including public transit like the iconic streetcar, and convenient for those driving. The building is a recognizable landmark, making it straightforward for new and existing clients to locate. The firm's presence in such a central and accessible part of the city emphasizes their commitment to being readily available to their diverse clientele, ensuring that high-level legal counsel is conveniently within reach. This prime location also reflects the professional and established environment in which Mr. Zeringue practices, instilling confidence in the firm's stature and comprehensive capabilities.

Wayne G. Zeringue Jr. offers specialized and comprehensive legal services primarily focused on litigation and transactions within several key industries crucial to Louisiana's economy. His expertise is particularly sought after by marine and energy sector clients.

• Admiralty and Maritime Litigation: Represents marine and energy clients in a wide variety of disputes, including:
  • Vessel collisions and allisions.
  • Contract and charter party disputes.
  • Property and economic damage cases involving marine terminals, docks, ships, towboats, barges, and offshore service vessels.
  • Personal injury matters related to operations on vessels, offshore platforms, and marine facilities, including Jones Act claims, asbestos, silicosis, and toxic tort matters.
• Oil and Gas Litigation: Handles energy-related disputes, including those involving:
  • Oil, gas, and mineral leases.
  • Drilling contracts.
  • Mineral servitudes and joint venture agreements.
  • Defense of legacy suits involving claims of environmental contamination at exploration and production sites, and crude oil storage properties.
• Construction Litigation: Represents builders and owners in trials and disputes related to:
  • Change orders and liens.
  • Plans, specifications, and scope of work issues.
  • Design issues, unpaid retainage, and cost overruns.
  • Delays, liquidated damages, and surety bonds.
  • Constructive total loss and maritime arrest.
• Products Liability: Litigates a variety of land-based and maritime products liability suits, including defending tire manufacturers.
• Environmental Litigation: Addresses complex environmental claims and regulatory issues.
• Contract Negotiation & Drafting: Expertise in drafting, negotiating, and interpreting various agreements, including:
  • Vessel construction contracts.
  • Charter parties and master service agreements.
  • Work orders, indemnity agreements, and labor agreements.
  • Interpretation and construction of insurance policies (general liability, builder's risk, hull, and P&I).
• Dispute Resolution: Skilled in resolving various disputes through litigation and other methods.

Mr. Zeringue's practice serves a broad range of clients, including oil companies, exploration and production companies, builders, owners, barge lines, towing companies, marine fabricators, shipyards, construction companies, product manufacturers, blue-water shipping interests, offshore service companies, and underwriters and insurers.

Wayne G. Zeringue Jr.'s professional profile is distinguished by several significant features and highlights that underscore his expertise and value to clients:

• Extensive Experience: With over 30 years of experience in admiralty and maritime, oil and gas, construction, products liability, and environmental litigation, Mr. Zeringue brings a wealth of knowledge and practical insight to every case.
• Deep Industry Knowledge: Prior to law school, he earned a business degree in petroleum land management and worked as a landman. This background provides him with a unique, firsthand understanding of the energy and natural resources industries, allowing him to offer highly informed legal counsel.
• Recognized Expertise: Mr. Zeringue has been consistently recognized in prestigious legal rankings such as "The Best Lawyers in America®" for Admiralty and Maritime Law (listed annually since 2021) and Transportation Law (2025). He is also recognized by "The Legal 500 United States" for Transport: Shipping – Litigation (2018, 2023, 2024), indicating strong peer and industry recognition.
• Highest Peer Review Rating: He holds an AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating in Martindale-Hubbell, the highest possible rating for legal ability and ethical standards, reflecting the respect of his legal peers.
• Involvement in Landmark Litigation: Mr. Zeringue was one of the lead attorneys on Jones Walker's trial team that successfully obtained dismissal of an oil field tool manufacturer in the multi-district litigation that arose out of the blowout of the Macondo Well in the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. This highlights his capacity to handle complex, high-stakes national litigation.
• Broad Client Base: He represents a diverse range of clients, from major oil and gas companies and marine interests to construction companies and product manufacturers, showcasing his versatility and comprehensive understanding across different sectors.
• Active in Legal Education: Mr. Zeringue regularly lectures at seminars for industry and insurance groups, provides continuing education courses, assists in trial advocacy courses at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, and has taught maritime law as an adjunct professor at Tulane University's paralegal studies program. This commitment to education reflects his deep expertise and desire to share knowledge.
• Extensive Court Admissions: He is admitted to practice in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and all U.S. District Courts in Louisiana (Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts), ensuring broad representation capabilities.

These highlights collectively demonstrate Mr. Zeringue's exceptional qualifications, profound industry insights, and his commitment to delivering top-tier legal services, especially for clients involved in maritime, energy, and construction industries.

As a highly esteemed partner in a major regional law firm like Jones Walker LLP, Wayne G. Zeringue Jr.'s practice operates within the professional standards of the legal industry. This means that, unlike consumer-focused retail businesses, the firm does not typically offer "promotions" or "special offers" such as discounts, bundled services, or limited-time deals. The value provided by an attorney of Mr. Zeringue's caliber is derived from his extensive experience, specialized knowledge, and proven track record in complex litigation and transactional matters.

Legal fees for services rendered by attorneys at this level are generally based on hourly rates, reflecting the intricate nature of the cases, the substantial time invested, and the specialized expertise required. For prospective clients, the emphasis is on securing the most effective and strategically sound legal counsel available to address their specific, often high-stakes, legal challenges. During an initial consultation, it is customary to discuss fee structures and billing arrangements, ensuring transparency and clarity for the client. Individuals or businesses interested in engaging Mr. Zeringue's services should directly contact his office to inquire about his professional fees and to determine how his vast experience aligns with their legal needs.

To connect with Wayne G. Zeringue Jr. and the legal team at Jones Walker LLP in New Orleans, you can reach his office through the following contact details:

• Address: 201 St Charles Ave #5100, New Orleans, LA 70170, USA
• Phone: (504) 582-8682
• Mobile Phone: +1 504-582-8682

The office is centrally located in the accessible Central Business District of New Orleans. It is highly advisable to call ahead and schedule an appointment to ensure that Mr. Zeringue or a member of his experienced team is available to provide you with the focused attention and expert guidance that your specific legal matter requires.

For businesses and individuals across Louisiana, particularly those involved in the state's vital maritime, energy, and construction sectors, Wayne G. Zeringue Jr. at Jones Walker LLP offers an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended choice for legal representation. His practice combines decades of specialized experience with a deep understanding of the unique legal and industrial landscape of Louisiana.

Firstly, Mr. Zeringue's over 30 years of experience in admiralty and maritime, oil and gas, construction, products liability, and environmental litigation makes him an invaluable asset for local clients. Louisiana's economy is heavily reliant on these industries, and navigating their complex legal frameworks requires an attorney with specific, long-standing expertise. His background as a landman further enhances his insight into the practical realities of the energy sector, offering clients a lawyer who understands their business from the ground up.

Secondly, his involvement as a lead attorney in significant cases, such as the BP oil spill multi-district litigation, underscores his capability to handle high-stakes and nationally important legal challenges. For locals, this means access to an attorney who has a proven track record of effectively representing clients in the most demanding legal environments. His consistent recognition in prestigious legal rankings like "The Best Lawyers in America®" and "The Legal 500 United States" further solidifies his standing as a top-tier legal professional.

Furthermore, Mr. Zeringue's commitment to legal education, through lecturing and teaching, demonstrates his deep and current knowledge of the law. This ensures that clients receive advice based on the latest legal developments and best practices. His AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating also provides assurance of the highest ethical standards and legal ability.

Finally, practicing from the prominent Jones Walker LLP office in the heart of New Orleans' Central Business District ensures convenient accessibility for clients across the region. This combination of deep industry knowledge, extensive litigation experience, high professional accolades, and a strategic location makes Wayne G. Zeringue Jr. an outstanding and highly suitable choice for locals seeking sophisticated and effective legal representation in their specialized areas.