Rewriting the Ending for the Wrongly Convicted

 

For more than three decades, Kathleen T. Zellner & Associates has taken on some of the nation's most difficult wrongful-conviction and civil rights cases—overturning convictions, exposing misconduct, and obtaining groundbreaking verdicts and settlements.

20+ EXONERATIONS | $200+ MILLION IN VERDICTS & SETTLEMENTS

 

Zellner Law in Action


Noteworthy Current Cases

RYAN FERGUSONBad-Faith Denial Costs Travelers $43.8 Million in the Ryan Ferguson Case (in addition to Ferguson’s recovery of $11,004,000 for his wrongful conviction of 10 years)

CLAUDE GARRETTWrongful Conviction · Nearly Three Decades Imprisoned

DERRELL FULTONWrongful Conviction · 23 Years Imprisoned · Civil Rights Litigation

RICKIE LEE WEBB46 Years, 8 Months, 22 Days Imprisoned · $73.3 Million Recommended Judgment

DARRON PRICEWrongful Conviction · 18.5 Years Imprisoned · Federal Civil Rights Litigation

STEVEN AVERY Actual Innocence · Continuing Post-Conviction Litigation

MELISSA CALUSINSKIActual Innocence · Medical & Forensic Evidence · Clemency Petition Pending

D’ANDRE LOFTONActual Innocence · Newly Discovered Alibi Evidence · Post-Conviction Evidentiary Hearing

SHADWICK KINGRetrial and Post-Conviction Litigation


Winning Against Improbable Odds

Against improbable odds, founding attorney Kathleen T. Zellner and her trial team have secured groundbreaking judgments and verdicts worth tens of millions of dollars for clients nationwide. Ms. Zellner is the only attorney in the country to win five multimillion-dollar verdicts in less than a year. Drawing on extensive experience in criminal trials, high-stakes civil litigation, medical malpractice, and civil rights, the firm has built an extraordinary record of fighting—and winning.

National Litigation

Although headquartered in Illinois, the firm has litigated significant cases throughout the United States. Our attorneys handle matters in state and federal courts, including criminal appeals, post-conviction proceedings, federal habeas corpus actions, and federal civil rights litigation.

Over $200 Million in Verdicts and Settlements


Meet the Team

KATHLEEN T. ZELLNER

Founding Partner

Nationally recognized trial and appellate attorney whose practice focuses on civil rights, wrongful convictions, medical malpractice and other complex litigation.

NICHOLAS CURRAN

Partner

Criminal appellate and post-conviction attorney with the firm since 2007 and a partner since 2023.

Joanna P. KLUZOWSKA

Associate

Represents clients in criminal appeals, post-conviction proceedings, wrongful-conviction matters, and federal civil rights litigation.


 
Our years long experience with Kathleen and her associates has turned into a once in a lifetime opportunity. It’s not often that you’ll work with some one who genuinely cares about their clients and looks forward to helping them in any and every way they can possibly manage to. This rare reality, however, has been what continually defines our work relationship with Kathleen.
— Ryan Ferguson
 

About The FIRM

The firm is led by attorney Kathleen T. Zellner, who has earned a national reputation as a fighter for justice.

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Results

No private attorney in the United States has successfully fought for the release of more wrongfully convicted individuals. 

Past Results →

Contact

If you are seeking lawyer help, contact us for a free, confidential consultation about your legal matter or case.

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