As a seasoned litigator and crisis management strategist, Jessie Zeigler has represented clients in some of the nation’s most high-profile cases over the last 25+ years. From her defense of precedent-setting opioid cases, high-stakes wildfire litigation and class action defense across numerous industries, Jessie has returned successful results nearly 100% of the time in the cases she has handled. Recognized by Chambers USA (in both the Environment and Litigation: General Commercial categories), Benchmark Litigation, and others as a leader in the field, Jessie is widely regarded as one of the top product liability and environmental lawyers in the country. As chair of the Products Liability & Torts Practice at Bass, Berry & Sims, Jessie leads a cross-office team in representing clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to privately-owned businesses. Jessie approaches every new case with an attention to detail, diligence and agility that enables her to quickly master the science behind the product as well as the product’s history, attributes and value to formulate effective strategies to meet even the most complex and aggressive legal challenges. Jessie’s counsel has saved clients millions in losses across various industries – including pharmaceutical/life sciences, medical device, automotive, chemical, consumer products, food and beverage, healthcare, manufacturing, and pulp and paper – as they have faced claims related to crisis management, environmental, health and safety, products liability, healthcare liability, or business disputes. Jessie also represents clients in claims related to deceptive business practices under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). Jessie recently served as local counsel in a precedent-setting opioid litigation and win at the Tennessee Supreme Court, defending an international pharmaceutical company in court rooms across Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia in litigation that made national headlines. She also argued the first-ever Tennessee Supreme Court Zoom hearing and, along with a joint defense group, won a huge victory for her product manufacturer client, and product manufacturers generally, in a ruling that held that a product manufacturer cannot be held liable in Tennessee for failing to warn about the risks of another product manufacturer’s products. In addition, she successfully obtained summary judgment in nine consolidated cases on behalf of a tree company against allegations of negligence and nuisance in wildfire litigation in which the plaintiffs sought approximately $45 million in claims. She argued the appeal, and the appellate court upheld the summary judgments.

Ava L. Zelenetsky, Esq. graduated from Pace University School of Law in 1999 and was subsequently admitted to the New York State bar, which she passed the first time. Ms. Zelenetsky attended Queens College (C.U.N.Y), where she graduated magna cum laude, was on the Dean?s List, was awarded highest honors in English, with a major in English. She began her legal career in the area of insurance defense and, after many years of practice and experience, she founded Zelenetsky & Associates, P.C. Her defense background enables Ms. Zelenetsky to successfully negotiate with claim representatives and defense attorneys and when settlement is not an option because the insurance companies aren?t offering enough money.

Michael Zeleznock is a partner of the firm and joined in 2006. His practice concentration includes all aspects of insurance litigation, including but not limited to, 1stand 3rd party litigation, coverage disputes, and jurisdiction issues. Mr. Zeleznock has successfully defended thousands of cases on behalf of the firm\'s clients from inception to verdict. Mr. Zeleznock chairs debt collection department of the firm. He is regularly engaged in handling insurance matters for private and public carriers as well as collection cases for public authorities and private banking institutions. Additionally, he is the lead trial attorney in the office, engaged in the office\'s declaratory judgment, subrogation and intercompany arbitration cases. Before joining the firm, Mr. Zeleznock was a mediator for the Community Legal Assistance Corporation. His prior practice areas included construction and energy-regulation law. Mr. Zeleznock was admitted to the practice of law in the State of New York. He received his Juris Doctor Degree from Hofstra University School of Law. He is a graduate of Seton Hall University with a Bachelor of Arts degree, Cum Laude, in Political Science with a minor in Psychology. Mr. Zeleznock is a member of various State and County Bar Associations.

Matthew Zenner (Matt) is an associate attorney with Stewart MacNichols Harmell, Inc., P.S. He has represented thousands of criminal defendants in courts all throughout King County and Pierce County. He represents clients charged with misdemeanor and felony crimes. He is an experienced trial attorney and negotiator. He also represents clients with civil protection order cases, such as domestic violence protection orders, anti-harassment protection orders, extreme risk protection orders, and sexual assault protection orders. Prior to joining Stewart MacNichols Harmell, Inc., P.S, Matt practiced family law and represented clients in divorce, child custody, and adoption cases. Matt is a U.S. Army veteran and served one combat tour in Iraq from 2007 to 2008 with the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team out of Ft. Lewis, WA. He served as an interrogator and human intelligence collector with Arabic language abilities. He is a former senior instructor at the US Army Human Intelligence Collector Course.