James L. Zelenay is an associate in the Los Angeles office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher where he practices in the firm's Litigation Department. Mr. Zelenay has extensive experience in defending clients involved in white collar investigations, assisting clients in responding to government subpoenas, and in government civil fraud litigation. Mr. Zelenay has represented clients in connection with alleged violations of environmental regulations, regulations governing trade with sanctioned countries, Department of Education rules and regulations, Food and Drug Administration regulations, patent law, and other administrative matters.
Mr. Zelenay also has substantial experience with the federal False Claims Act and whistleblower litigation, where he has represented educational institutions, insurers, pharmaceutical companies, and accounting firms, among other clients. He is a recipient of the prestigious Burton Award for Distinguished Legal Writing and has written extensively on the False Claims Act.
In addition to his white collar and False Claims Act practice, Mr. Zelenay has assisted clients in defending against class action complaints and legal malpractice claims, served as plaintiff’s counsel in actions alleging fraud and breach of contract, assisted clients with patent and other intellectual property matters, and advised and assisted clients in matters involving claims asserted under the First Amendment and other constitutional provisions.
Mr. Zelenay graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School in 2004, where he served as an Editor of the Harvard Journal on Legislation. In 2000, Mr. Zelenay graduated summa cum laude from the University of California, Los Angeles, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and received Phi Beta Kappa honors.
Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Zelenay served as a law clerk to The Honorable Nora M. Manella in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
Mr. Zelenay is a member of the California Bar.