Joanne L. Zimolzak
FAX: 202.496.7756
Experience
Joanne Zimolzak's diverse practice focuses principally on complex business litigation. Her experience also extends to assisting companies with internal investigations and fraud reporting.
On the business litigation side, Ms. Zimolzak has handled complex litigation in federal and state courts throughout the country, both at the trial and appellate levels. Her experience includes representing insurance companies in coverage and bad faith disputes, as well as providing counseling in these areas. Ms. Zimolzak also has considerable experience in handling products liability litigation and commercial contract disputes for the firm’s clients.
In the government contracts area, Ms. Zimolzak assists companies with obtaining and/or preventing the release of information under federal and state Freedom of Information Act provisions. She also has particular experience in procurement fraud matters and in conducting related internal investigations.
Ms. Zimolzak is involved in pro bono matters and has represented indigent clients in landlord/tenant disputes, as well as employment and discrimination and child custody matters. She is also active in the firm’s associate mentoring program and has mentored several Georgetown law students through the Women of Color collective program.
Representative Matters
- Analysis and counseling for major insurer regarding potential risks and opportunities associated with global warming, including with respect to potential liability, new product development, and regulatory reporting.
- Successfully arguing on summary judgment that major insurer had no duty to defend purported additional insured in a significant wrongful death action, thereby negating any possibility for claimant to recover defense expenses or pursue bad faith claims.
- Winning summary judgment for European client in U.S. District Court action concerning breach of commercial contract, with judgment including full restitution and award of attorneys' fees.
- Analysis and counseling for major insurer regarding significant professional liability coverage issues.
- Providing assistance to government contractor conducting internal investigation regarding billing issues and responding to government subpoena concerning same.
- Obtaining dismissal of major agriculture product distributor from Texas products liability matters for lack of personal jurisdiction.
- Winning Texas state court appeal concerning applicability of UCC exception to security interest filing requirement in commercial business dispute.
Education
- J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 1994
- B.A., University of Maryland, magna cum laude, 1990
Admitted
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Publications:
- “On the Horizon: Could Insurers be Held Liable for Climate Change?” ABA TIPS Insurance Coverage Conference, co-authored with Kristin Landis, (February 2010).
- “Contractors and the FOIA: Proactive Protection of Proprietary Data is a Must,” Andrew’s Litigation Reporter - Government Contracts, co-authored with Mana Elihu, (August 2009).
- “Supreme Court limits suits under False Claims Act,” Atlantic Coast In-House, co-authored with Timothy K. Halloran, (July 2007).
- “Discovery from non-parties under the Federal Arbitration Act: A mixed bag,” Atlantic Coast In-House, co-authored with Timothy K. Halloran, (January 2007).
Seminars and Presentations:
- Moderator, "Climate Change Coverage Issues," ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section, Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee Midyear Program, (February 2010).
- Panelist, "Bad Faith in Insurance Claims: Strategies for Prosecuting and Defending Against Claims of Insurer Misconduct," Strafford Publications, (July 2009).
Professional Activities:
- 2010 Climate Change Subcommittee Vice-Chair for the ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section, Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee