McKenna Long & Aldridge has made a noteworthy addition to its national appellate and product liability practices with the arrival of prominent California-based trial lawyer Jules Zeman. He is the third new partner to join McKenna’s LA office in the past month..

Mr. Zeman was previously head of the Appellate Practice Group in the Los Angeles office of a California-based firm, and was also a member of the firm’s product liability, business litigation, employment and government liability practices.

Mr. Zeman, who brings a strong national appellate trial practice, has appeared before state and federal courts around the country. He’s managed more than 200 appellate matters in a broad range of civil litigation, often in cases involving product liability, as well as disputed business transactions. His cases have resulted in more than 20 published decisions. Previously, he worked for the predecessor of Big Four accounting firm KPMG.

McKenna’s Appellate Group encompasses a wide variety of substantive practice areas, including constitutional, administrative, and regulatory law; government contracts; product liability and toxic torts; real and intellectual property; and commercial litigation. In addition to representing clients on direct appellate matters, the group devises strategies for clients impacted by higher court rulings and regularly authors amicus briefs for trade associations and other business organizations on important legal and public policy issues.

Mr. Zeman’s addition also enhances McKenna’s highly-regarded Product Liability and Mass Tort Defense practice, which has won a half dozen defense verdicts in living mesothelioma cases in the last two years. Among those successes is the favorable verdict in Petitpas v. Ford Motor, which the Daily Journal cited as one of the Top Defense Verdicts of 2012.

“The addition of Jules to our accomplished team of appellate lawyers further strengthens our West Coast capabilities and supplements the work our appellate group is doing in state and federal courts around the country,” said Tami Lyn Azorsky, chair of McKenna’s Litigation practice. “Jules’ arrival also furthers McKenna’s full service product liability and mass tort defense practice by adding to our ability to handle cases in this arena from the initial filing through the appeals process.”

Mr. Zeman is the fourth new attorney to join McKenna’s Los Angeles office since Labor Day. In September, the firm announced three new California additions to its nationally recognized Government Contracts practice: Gary Chadick and Ariana Sarabia, both of whom previously held general counsel positions as leading defense contractors, joined as partners; McKenna counsel Todd Canni relocated from the firm’s Washington office.

“By adding Gary, Ariana, Todd and now Jules, we have expanded the capabilities we offer our clients in LA and nationally,” said Kathy Jorrie, LA office managing partner. “We are pleased to welcome these talented attorneys to our growing LA office.”

Mr. Zeman holds three degrees from Temple University in Philadelphia: an MA (1977), JD (1980), and a Master’s in Taxation (1982).

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