- Biography
- A shareholder with King, Blackwell, Zehnder & Wermuth, P.A., Mr. Zehnder has practiced primarily as a commercial litigator in Orlando since he graduated with honors from the University of Florida College of Law in 1995. Mr. Zehnder has represented both individuals and corporations in a wide variety of complex matters through trial in state and federal courts, in arbitration and on appeal. Throughout his legal career, Mr. Zehnder has been active in leadership positions with the Orange County Bar Association (OCBA), first serving in the Young Lawyers’ Section, including as President in 2005-06. In 2011-12, Mr. Zehnder served as President of the OCBA, and in 2012 - 2013 he served as President of the OCBA Foundation. In 2006, Mr. Zehnder received the OCBA's highest honor awarded to a young lawyer: the Lawrence G. Mathews, Jr. Young Lawyer Professionalism Award. In 2004, Mr. Zehnder received The Florida Bar's Young Lawyers Division Pro Bono Award, a statewide service award presented by the Florida Supreme Court and The Florida Bar's YLD that recognizes extraordinary contributions in the provision of pro bono services. Recently, Mr. Zehnder was selected in Best Lawyers as Lawyer of the Year "Bet-the-Company" Litigation, 2023.
- Bar Admissions
- Florida, 1995
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
- Education
- University of Florida College of Law, Gainesville, Florida, J.D. with Honors, 1995
- Valparaiso University, B.S. in Business Administration with Finance Concentration, 1991
- Honors and Awards
- AV Preeminent Rating – Martindale-Hubbell
- Recipient of Judge J.C. "Jake" Stone Distinguished Service Award, The Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, 2022
- Recipient of Award of Excellence, The Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, 2009
- Recipient of the Orange County Bar Association's Lawrence G. Mathews, Jr. Young Lawyer Professionalism Award, 2006
- Recipient of The Florida Bar's Young Lawyers Division Pro Bono Award, 2004
- Recipient of New Attorney Award of Excellence, The Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, 2001
- Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers, multiple years including 2023
- Selected for inclusion in Florida Super Lawyers, multiple years including 2024
- Selected for inclusion in Florida Trend “Legal Elite,” multiple years including 2022
- Selected in Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year "Bet-the-Company" Litigation, 2023
- Professional Associations and Memberships
- The Florida Bar Civil Rules Committee, Member (2010-2013)
- Lawyer Advisory Committee on Rules for the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida (2013-Present)
- Orange County Bar Association: Immediate Past President (2013); President (2011-12); President-Elect (2010-2011); Treasurer (2009-2010); Secretary (2008-2009); Executive Council (2005-2013); Co-Editor of "The Briefs"(2007-2009)
- OCBA Young Lawyers' Section: President (2005-2006); President Elect (2004-2005); Treasurer (2003-2004); Board Member (2001-2006)
- The Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association: Board of Trustees (2005-2009)
- Orange County Bar Association Foundation: President (2012 - 2013)
- American Bar Association, Member
- Federal Bar Association, Orlando Chapter, Member
- Representative Cases
- Vielma v. Gruler, No. 18-15162, 2020 WL 1672778 (11th Cir. Apr. 6, 2020)
- Easter v. City of Orlando, 249 So. 3d 723 (Fla. 5th DCA 2018)
- Aracena v. Gruler, 347 F. Supp. 3d 1107 (M.D. Fla. 2018)
- Vielma v. Gruler, 347 F. Supp. 3d 1122 (M.D. Fla. 2018)
- League of Women Voters of Florida v. Detzner, No. 2012-ca-2842 (Fla. 2d Cir. Dec. 30, 2015) (judgment adopting CPS-4a, Florida Senate remedial plan proposed by Plaintiffs)
- League of Women Voters of Florida v. Detzner, 179 So. 3d 258 (Fla. 2015) (adopting CP-1, Congressional remedial plan proposed by Coalition Plaintiffs)
- League of Women Voters of Florida v. Detzner, 172 So. 3d 363 (Fla. 2015) (invalidating Congressional districts)
- Bainter v. League of Women Voters of Florida, 150 So. 3d 1115 (Fla. 2014)
- League of Women Voters of Florida v. Data Targeting, Inc., 140 So. 3d 510 (Fla. 2014)
- League of Women Voters of Florida v. Detzner, No. 2012-ca-412 (Fla. 2d Cir. July 10, 2014) (judgment declaring Congressional redistricting plan unconstitutional)
- LSQ Funding Group, L.C. v. EDS Field Services, 879 F. Supp. 2d 1320 (M.D. Fla. 2012) (granting summary judgment on breach of contract claim)
- Pierson v. Orlando Health et al., No. 6:08-cv-466, 2010 WL 14083391 (M.D. Fla. Apr. 6, 2010) (granting motion to dismiss defamation and conspiracy claims)
- United States ex rel. Shurick v. Boeing, No. 6:07-cv-1765, 2008 WL 5054739 (M.D. Fla. Nov. 21, 2008) (granting motion to dismiss false claims act claim)