Jon W. Zinke

Jon W. Zinke

Of Counsel
Long Beach

Jon Zinke is a graduate of the State University of New York Maritime College and Brooklyn Law School. He is admitted to practice before the State Courts of New York, the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, the United States Supreme Court, and was a registered foreign lawyer with the Law Society of Hong Kong from 1982 to 2022. He holds an unlimited Oceangoing United States Coast Guard Chief Mate’s License and sailed as a deck officer on various United States flag vessels for five years prior to commencing his legal career in 1980.

Jon was associated with a maritime firm in New York from 1980 to 1985 when he transferred to that firm’s Hong Kong office as resident partner. In 1997 Jon joined Keesal, Young & Logan and became resident partner of the firm’s Hong Kong office. Jon returned to the U.S. in 2023 and works with the U.S. offices of the firm in the West Coast.

Jon provides advice to the firm’s clients in the Far East regarding various maritime and commercial disputes involving United States law and provides advice and assistance to law firms throughout the United States on matters involving Asia. He is also actively involved in handling maritime and commercial arbitration disputes in New York and Asia.

Jon W. Zinke information
  • J.D., Brooklyn Law School
  • State University of New York Maritime College
  • American Bar Association
  • New York (1981)
  • Southern and Eastern United States District Courts in New York
  • Supreme Court of the United States
  • Registered Foreign Lawyer with Law Society of Hong Kong

Reported Awards:

  • M/V “CYNTHIA HARMONY” SMA #3937
  • M/V “CHESAPEAKE BAY” SMA #3677
  • M/V “SUNNY CHEMI” SMA #3712
  • M/V “MARIANN” SMA #3642
  • M/V “ERMIS” SMA #3554
  • M/V “BETA LUCK” SMA #3355
  • M/V “TENACITY” SMA #3247
  • M/V “GOOD EXPLORER” SMA #3195
  • M/V “INGENIOUS” SMA #2826
  • Cometals v. CHIEC 92 CIETAC Award 3669
  • Cometals v. CMIEC 91 CIETAC Award 2748
  • Cometals v. CNIEC 90 CIETAC Award 0148
  • Cometals v. CMIEC 90 CIETAC Award 0139/0209
  • O/B/O “ABUL KALAM AZAD” SMA #2228
  • M/V “SCOTTISH LION” SMA #2163
  • M/V “MALMOHUS” SMA #2119
  • M/T “MESSINIAKI AIGLI” SMA #2072
  • M/V “WORLD MONARCH” SMA #2000
  • M/V “WORLD KINGDOM” SMA #1910
  • M/V ”CHANDA” SMA #1878
  • M/T “MAYA FARBER” SMA #1841
  • M/V “DYNA” SMA #1729
  • Chambers Global, Asia-Pacific’s Leading Lawyers (2021): Jon Zinke is described as an “absolutely terrific shipping lawyer” by sources. He is a US-qualified practitioner who has a stellar reputation for his work in the litigation and arbitration spheres.
  • Chambers Global, Asia-Pacific’s Leading Lawyers (2019): Jon Zinke of Keesal, Young & Logan PC is renowned for his focus on advising clients regarding shipping and terminal disputes overseas. Also, a market observer states, he has significant experience in “representing Chinese clients in the US.”
  • Chambers Global, Asia-Pacific’s Leading Lawyers (2018): Hong Kong-based Jon Zinke of Keesal, Young & Logan is reputed for his provision of US legal advice in this market, with commentators describing him as “a very experienced maritime lawyer.” He has been particularly active on arbitration in recent times, handling a range of demurrage, cargo collision cases, especially for P&I clubs.
  • Chambers Global, Asia-Pacific’s Leading Lawyers (2017): Hong Kong-based Jon Zinke of Keesal, Young & Logan offers specialised US legal advice to shipping clients in the region, with market commentators remarking that “his reputation and knowledge of the market is incredible.” Praised by further sources as “the go-to guy on every aspect of US law,” his disputes practice covers the full gamut of wet and dry matters, and also includes arbitration proceedings.
  • Chambers Global, Asia-Pacific’s Leading Lawyers (2016): Hong Kong-based Jon Zinke of Keesal, Young & Logan offers specialised US legal advice to shipping clients in the region, with market commentators remarking that “his reputation and knowledge of the market is incredible.” Praised by further sources as “the go-to guy on every aspect of US law,” his disputes practice covers the full gamut of wet and dry matters, and also includes arbitration proceedings.
  • Chambers Global, Asia-Pacific’s Leading Lawyers (2015): Jon Zinke of Keesal, Young & Logan offers comprehensive advice on Asia-based issues to US clients, as well as dealing with a range of matters involving US law. He handles disputes ranging from collisions to cargo and bills of lading claims, and clients enthuse that he is “very experienced, very responsive—for US litigation matters he’s our first choice.”
  • Chambers Global, Asia-Pacific’s Leading Lawyers (2014): Jon Zinke of Keesal, Young & Logan has over three decades of experience in maritime dispute work. He advises both regional shipping clients on US law and US clients on Asian maritime issues.
  • The Asia Pacific Legal 500 (2012 Edition): Keesal, Young & Logan LLP’s Hong Kong office assists the firm’s Far East shipping clients with US legal problems, and provides advice to its international clients with maritime issues in Asia. Jon Zinke is “Hong Kong’s go-to adviser on American law.”
  • Chambers Global, Asia-Pacific’s Leading Lawyers (2012): Registered foreign lawyer Jon Zinke heads the Hong Kong office at Keesal, Young & Logan. He is noted for assisting clients facing litigious matters with a US law element, and also for advising US law firms on Asia incidents.
  • Chambers Global, Asia-Pacific’s Leading Lawyers (2011): Hong Kong-based Jon Zinke of Keesal, Young & Logan’s leading specialist in Asia-related matters. He has extensive knowledge of the Asian market and US maritime law, and clients say that he is “outstanding in supporting us on matters involving US laws here on the ground in Asia.”
  • The Asia Pacific Legal 500 (2010/2011 Edition): Keesal, Young & Logan LLP has experience advising claimants on US law aspects of shipping-related work, including advising in charter party disputes and casualty investigations. Jon Zinke is the key contact.
  • Chambers Global, Asia-Pacific’s Leading Lawyers (2010): Jon Zinke of Keesal, Young & Logan has developed a unique practice in Hong Kong, advising on US shipping law. Sources say he is “a charming individual” and “an extremely well-connected guy.”
  • The Asia Pacific Legal 500 (2009/2010 Edition): Keesal, Young & Logan LLP provides US advice to clients such as ship owners and insurance companies. The team, driven by experienced US maritime lawyer Jon Zinke, has been busy advising on the restructuring of shipbuilding contracts and shipping litigation.
  • Chambers Global, Asia-Pacific’s Leading Lawyers (2009): Jon Zinke of Keesal, Young & Logan is New York-qualified and is one of the few lawyers in Hong Kong who provides “quality advice on US shipping law.”
  • The Asia Pacific Legal 500 (2008/2009 Edition): US law firm Keesal, Young & Logan LLP maintains a small but highly regarded Hong Kong office. The team is headed by the veteran Jon Zinke, who has been based in the jurisdiction for over 20 years.
  • Chambers Global, Asia-Pacific’s Leading Lawyers (2008): Jon Zinke of Keesal, Young & Logan focuses on US shipping issues, both representing P&I clubs in the region and assisting Asia clients with US matters.
  • The Asia Pacific Legal 500 (2007/2008 Edition): Keesal, Young & Logan LLP is a US law firm with a tremendous shipping heritage. The vastly experienced Jon Zinke has headed its Hong Kong office since 1997, but has practised in the SAR for over 20 years.
  • Chambers Global, The World’s Leading Lawyers (2006): This niche firm specialises in the US law aspects of the local shipping market. It mainly acts for clients from the Far East who face US legal problems, and US law firms who face troubles in Asia. The office also handles maritime and commercial arbitrations, many of them relating to charter party disputes. Jon Zinke is one of a kind. “Learned, sympathetic and entertaining to have around,” he “offers a service that is very difficult to get elsewhere in the region.”
  • Chambers Global, The World’s Leading Lawyers (2004): Former deck officer Jon Zinke turned to the law over 25 years ago and his efforts in that time have turned him into a conduit for a number of P&I clubs with US-based disputes. Jon Zinke stands on his own as the best US shipping lawyer in town. Interviewees talked of “a congenial character with a penetrating slant on US law” that extends to aviation and general commercial disputes as well as maritime matters. He is further fêted for his arbitration skills.
  • Chambers Global, The World’s Leading Lawyers (2003): Jon Zinke of Keesal, Young & Logan is a rarity in our tables as the only member to work for an US firm. “Everybody’s favourite US shipping lawyers,” he has a virtual monopoly acting for P&I clubs which have US disputes or New York arbitration clauses.
  • Chambers Global, The World’s Leading Lawyers (2002–2003): With 15 years of experience in Asia, Jon Zinke of Keesal, Young & Logan is the lawyer that clients turn to for specialised advice on the US aspects of transactions.
  • The Asia Pacific Legal 500 (2001/2002 Edition): US firm Keesal, Young & Logan LLP has had an office in Hong Kong since 1997; resident partner Jon Zinke is a well-known name. The office provides US legal advice to Far Eastern clients, principally in relation to maritime issues such as charter party disputes, cargo losses, casualty and personal injury.
  • Chambers Global, The World’s Leading Lawyers (2001–2002): With 15 years of experience in Asia, Jon Zinke of Keesal, Young & Logan is the lawyer that clients turn to for specialised advice on the US aspects of transactions.
  • The Asia Pacific Legal 500 (2000/2001 Edition): As a US firm, Keesal, Young & Logan LLP, though having a solid reputation, particularly through partner Jon Zinke, in shipping, is not currently licensed to appear before the local courts in Hong Kong. The firm tends to represent most of the P&I clubs in Hong Kong, as well as handling a large amount on referral from other US firms. Its only competitor is Healy & Baillie for these matters.
  • The Asia Pacific Legal 500 (1999 Edition): As a US firm, Keesal, Young & Logan LLP, though having a solid reputation, particularly through partner Jon Zinke, in shipping, is not currently licensed to appear before the local courts in Hong Kong. The firm tends to represent most of the P&I clubs in Hong Kong, as well as handling a large amount on referral from other US firms. Its only competitor is Healy & Baillie for these matters.
  • American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong
  • Co-Chairman of the Legal and Banking Committee (1988–1990)
  • Chairman of the Law Committee (1996–1998)
  • Vice Chairman (2004)
  • Chairman (2005)
  • Board of Governors (1998–2007)
  • American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong Charitable Foundation
  • Trustee (2006–Present)
  • Chairman (2006, 2008)
  • Association of Average Adjusters (1992–Present)
  • Hong Kong Shipowners Association
  • Vice Chairman Executive Committee (2016–Present)
  • Hong Kong Maritime Law Association
  • Deputy Chairman Executive Committee (2008–Present)
  • Hong Kong Maritime Museum
  • Board of Directors (2018–Present)
  • Institute of Seatransport Seaview Magazine
  • Board of Editors (1990–Present)
  • Inter Pacific Bar Association
  • Chairman Maritime Law Committee (2003–2005)
  • Marine Insurance Club
  • Honorary Member (1999–Present)
  • Maritime Law Association of the United States
  • Proctor (1981–Present)
  • Nautical Institute
  • MNI (1994–Present)
Jon W. Zinke articles