Also reported in: Bloomberg Law, New Jersey Law Journal, ROI-NJ, Florida BAR News.
As the Firm’s First Female Office Managing Principal, She Succeeds Wes Holston Who Remains Head of the Fort Lauderdale Office.
Miami – April 27, 2020 – The law firm of Bressler, Amery & Ross today announced that insurance defense litigator Hope Zelinger has been named Managing Principal of its Miami office.
Ms. Zelinger took over for Wes Holston, who has led both the Miami and Fort Lauderdale offices. Mr. Holston continues as Managing Principal of the Fort Lauderdale office.
“Hope has grown into the position with confidence and demonstrated how hard work and a persevering attitude can result in huge results in a short period of time,” said Bressler Firmwide Managing Principal Frank Cuccio. “Hope is a natural leader, and she has a track record of successful leadership both inside and outside of the legal industry. We know she will do great things for the firm, not only the first woman at the Bressler to head an office but also as the youngest managing principal in firm history.”
Ms. Zelinger’s election to a top leadership position is only the most recent example of the firm’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Mr. Holston added: “I have worked with Hope in a close capacity and she is the perfect fit to be the new head of the Miami office. I applaud the firm for making a concerted effort to focus on succession planning and include younger members, like Hope, within the ranks of the firm’s leadership.”
For her part, Ms. Zelinger said she was honored by the appointment. “I have led a team of exceptional lawyers in the Florida Insurance Defense Group, and I thank the firm for once again showing their confidence in me with this appointment,” she said. “What excites me most about being the first female office managing principal at Bressler is the message it sends to our attorneys and staff: that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. At Bressler, there are no limits.”
Ms. Zelinger has been the lead Trial Attorney for Bressler’s 20-member Florida Insurance Group. Consistent with her mentality of breaking boundaries, over the last year she has worked on a team of all women trial lawyers conducting three trials in 2019. During the past 14 months, Ms. Zelinger has been first chair of five jury trials – three of them handled by an all-female attorney team. She also has been leading the charge on growing the firm’s appellate practice in Florida and has argued in the Florida Appellate Courts.
Ms. Zelinger added: “We are a supportive and team-oriented firm. I look forward to continuing to support and collaborate with my colleagues in the Miami office.”
In 2018, Ms. Zelinger was voted in as a Board Member of F.A.I.R., a legislative organization throughout Florida.
On the non-profit front, she serves on the Board of Directors of the I Care I Cure Childhood Cancer Foundation, taking an active role in the organization and demonstrating her commitment to bettering the community. The Florida-based foundation is committed to helping children diagnosed with cancer and their families.
Ms. Zelinger attended the University of Miami School of Law, receiving her J.D., cum laude, in 2011. As an undergraduate. she attended the University of Massachusetts, receiving her B.A. in 2004.