Our Team

Mr. Zeli is a Member with Zimmer Kunz, where he currently serves as the Firm’s Vice President. His practice is focused on all areas of civil litigation, with a concentration on general liability, transportation, toxic tort defense, as well as contract disputes. Mr. Zeli has successfully represented hundreds of corporations throughout the tri-state region and in courts throughout the United States.

In addition to his liability defense work, Mr. Zeli has been successful in securing millions of dollars for his clients through resolution of contract disputes, subrogation matters, employment disputes, and liability matters.

Pittsburgh’s 50 Finest:

Recognized by Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Whirl Magazine in 2009, as one of “Pittsburgh’s 50 Finest” for outstanding community involvement and professional achievement

Participated in fundraising with co honorees raising more than $200,000 for cystic fibrosis research

Education

• Undergraduate:

  University Of Pittsburgh, Bachelor of Science in Sociology 2002
  • Recipient of Balfour Academic/Leadership Excellence Award
  • Recipient Donald E. Walker Scholarship
  • Make-A-Wish Foundation “Inner Circle Award” winner
  • President of Sigma Chi Fraternity
  • University of Pittsburgh Homecoming Court

• Law School:

  Duquesne University School Of Law, Juris Doctor June 2005
  • Graduated with honors
  • Finalist in the Carol Los Mansmann Appellate Advocacy Competition
  • Duquesne Forensic Science and Law Journal

Admissions

• Pennsylvania
• West Virginia
• Ohio
• New York
• United States District Courts for the Western and Eastern Districts of Pennsylvania
• United States District Court for the Northern and Southern Districts of West Virginia
• United States District Court for the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio
• United States Supreme Court

Memberships

• Defense Research Institute, Committee Member Young Lawyers Division
• The Harmonie Group  Next Generation Liaison
• American Bar Association
• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Allegheny County Bar Association Member PUMP

Venue Experience

• State trial courts and administrative bodies in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia, and various other state and federal courts throughout the United States

Previous Positions/Experience

Pennsylvania Office Of Attorney General:

Legal Intern – Torts Litigation Section, Environmental Crimes Section

Governor’s Office Of General Counsel:

Legal Intern – State Department

Significant Matters

• Defense Verdict in Environmental Negligence Case: Obtained a non-jury verdict in Blair County, Pennsylvania in favor of a contractor accused of negligently striking an unmarked transformer on state game lands, resulting in an oil spill. The court found the plaintiff failed to meet the requirements to establish negligence, ruling entirely for the defense.
• Toxic Tort Defense Success: Secured dismissal of all claims against an employer at the summary judgment stage in a case involving alleged manganese exposure during a plaintiff’s career as a welder.
• Opioid Litigation Resolution:  Mr. Zeli negotiated and secured a successful global resolution on behalf of a national pharmacy chain in the West Virginia opioid litigation, helping to bring closure to complex, multi-party claims across the state.
• Construction Liability Defense: Achieved summary judgment for a general contractor in a wrongful death action arising from a subcontractor employee’s fall from scaffolding, defeating claims of negligent supervision.
• Breach of Contract Resolution: Negotiated a favorable settlement for a Pennsylvania corporation against a Tennessee corporation in a dispute involving specialized natural gas drilling equipment, resulting in recovery of outstanding lease fees.
• Criminal Defense Victory in Transportation Case: Obtained dismissal of all criminal charges for an employee of a trucking company after a motor vehicle accident. Following a guilty verdict, successfully argued on appeal that the charges were improper under a recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling.
• Asbestos Litigation Defense: Secured summary judgment for a manufacturer in a mesothelioma wrongful death action under Ohio law, defeating claims of negligence and strict liability due to lack of causation despite acknowledged product supply.

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