Joe Zelasko represents clients in complex commercial disputes in state and federal courts and in arbitral proceedings. He focuses his practice on high-stakes construction matters, including cases involving allegations of fraud, breach of contract, and commercial extortion. Joe also has significant experience representing clients in a number of other industries, including sports and higher education.
Joe's experience includes work for Fluor, Nationwide Realty Investors, Cardinal Health, the University of Notre Dame, and the Big Ten Conference. Joe's recent representations include assisting a renewable energy contractor in a dispute with a joint venture partner concerning ongoing operations in Puerto Rico and representing one of the world's largest steel producers in a federal trial involving breach of contract and fraud claims stemming from a construction project.
Joe also maintains an active pro bono practice focused on immigration law. He has represented individual clients and an immigrant justice organization before the immigration courts and the United States Courts of Appeals. Prior to joining Jones Day, Joe clerked for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.
Experience
- Northwestern University (J.D. magna cum laude 2017; Online Article Editor, Northwestern University Law Review); University of Miami (B.A. magna cum laude 2010)
- Ohio and U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
- Law Clerk to: Judge Priscilla Richman, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit (2018-2019) and Judge William Q. Hayes, U.S. District Court, Southern District of California (2017-2018)