Jim Zelenay is a partner in the Los Angeles office of Gibson Dunn where he practices in the firm's Litigation and White Collar Departments. Jim has extensive experience representing clients in high-stakes commercial disputes, and in defending clients in class actions, government regulatory matters, False Claims Act litigation, and other civil and administrative disputes. Jim also has substantial experience in assisting clients with white collar investigations and in responding to government subpoenas.
Known for his detail-oriented approach, persuasive advocacy, and courtroom presence, Jim has a proven track record of successfully defending Fortune 500 companies in federal and state courts nationwide. Jim brings strategic insight to complex litigation and representation of clients before government authorities, combining deep legal knowledge with a practical understanding of business objectives. Whether navigating multifaceted regulatory issues or leading a high-profile trial team, Jim is committed to achieving results that protect clients’ reputations and interests. Recognizing his successes, Jim was named as one of the Top 50 Litigators in Los Angeles by the Los Angeles Business Journal (2018), a list that highlights “50 of the very best litigators in the business.” Jim has three times been awarded Top Verdict in California by the Daily Journal (2015, 2017, 2022). Jim is also a recipient of the prestigious Burton Award for Distinguished Legal Writing.
Jim’s representative matters include:
- Representing mortgage-service industry client in a multi-week arbitration trial alleging trade secret and breach of contract claims;
- Representing social media company in putative class actions alleging discrimination;
- Representing oil refinery company in state regulatory matters;
- Representing surgical supply company in False Claims Act litigation;
- Representing government contractor in breach of contract litigation brought by subcontractors;
- Representing bank in False Claims Act litigation brought in multiple state courts;
- Representing cosmetics company in putative class action relating to alleged false statements;
- Representing public utilities in numerous litigations and disputes with municipalities;
- Representing pharmaceutical company responding to civil investigative demands from state agencies;
- Representing hospital owner in False Claims Act litigation;
- Representing educational institutions in government civil fraud investigations and False Claims Act matters.
Jim’s litigation and regulatory experience covers a wide range of subject areas, including Food and Drug Administration regulations, laws relating to false advertising or marketing, regulations governing trade with sanctioned countries, government conflict of interest and procurement rules, and other topics. Jim has practiced in federal and state courts across the country, and has worked with numerous prosecutors’ offices nationwide.
Jim also has written extensively, including in particular on the False Claims Act. Jim is one of the editors of the Firm’s mid-year and year-end False Claims Act alerts, regularly presents on the False Claims Act, and has represented a breadth of industries in False Claims Act matters—including educational institutions, financial institutions, insurers, pharmaceutical companies, construction companies, telecommunication clients, emergency services personnel, and accounting firms, among others.
Jim is an active member of the community and is involved in the Firm’s Pro Bono program. On a pro bono basis, Jim assisted the California Science Center Foundation with the acquisition and transportation of the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Jim also has been involved in assisting clients in pro bono matters protecting victims of domestic violence.
Jim is serving his second term as a member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of Pasadena Heritage, California’s second largest historical preservation organization.
Prior to joining the firm, Jim served as a law clerk to The Honorable Nora M. Manella in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
Jim graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School in 2004, where he served as an Editor of the Harvard Journal on Legislation. In 2000, Jim 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.
Jim is a member of the California Bar.
Capabilities
- White Collar Defense and Investigations
- Anti-Corruption & FCPA
- Appellate and Constitutional Law
- Class Actions
- Crisis Management
- Energy Regulation and Litigation
- Energy and Infrastructure
- Environmental Litigation and Mass Tort
- FDA and Health Care
- False Claims Act / Qui Tam Defense
- Government Contracts
- Intellectual Property
- Litigation
- Media, Entertainment, and Technology
- Oil and Gas
- Securities Litigation
- Trade Secrets
- Trials
Credentials
Education:
- Harvard University - 2004 Juris Doctor
- University of California, Los Angeles - 2000 Bachelor of Arts
Admissions:
- California Bar
Clerkships:
- USDC, Central District of California, Hon. Nora M. Manella, 2004 - 2005