Atty. Mr Robert Zelms
Meet Robert B. Zelms, the esteemed managing partner of the Phoenix office at Zelms Erlich & Mack.
General Liability & More Attorney · Serving Phoenix, AZ · 28+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Mr Robert Zelms at a Glance
Mr Robert Zelms is a Managing Partner based in Phoenix, Arizona, practicing at Zelms Erlich Mack. They have 28+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1998. Their practice focuses on construction and litigation. Admitted to practice in Arizona (1998) and U.S. District Court, District of Arizona (1998). Educated at Arizona State University College of Law (J.D., 1997) and University of Arizona (B.A. Political, 1993). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Active member of State Bar of Arizona American Bar Association Arizona Association of Defense Counsel Defense Research Institute. Serves clients in Phoenix, AZ and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Mr Robert Zelms
- Meet Robert B. Zelms, the esteemed managing partner of the Phoenix office at Zelms Erlich & Mack
- With a strong academic foundation, Mr. Zelms earned his BA in political science from the University of Arizona in 1993 and later attained his JD from Arizona State University College of Law in 1997
- As an accomplished attorney, Mr. Zelms specializes in a diverse range of legal areas, including professional liability defense litigation, lawyers' professional liability, miscellaneous professional liability, real estate errors and omissions (E&O), construction defect litigation, design professional E&O, financial services E&O, directors & officers cases, insurance agent E&O, accounting malpractice, complex general liability matters, aviation law, products liability, and trucking and transportation law
- His expertise in Legal Malpractice has earned him national board certification by the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys (ABPLA)
- Recognized for his outstanding legal skills and professional accomplishments, Mr. Zelms has been consistently named a Southwest Super Lawyer from 2017 to 2022
- This prestigious title is reserved for the top five percent of attorneys, as evaluated by their peers based on twelve indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement
- In addition to his role as a managing partner, Mr. Zelms serves as an Adjunct Professor at the esteemed Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University
- In this capacity, he imparts his practical skills and knowledge through a course titled "The Litigation Experience
- Throughout his impressive career, Mr. Zelms has conducted over 30 jury trials in the State of Arizona, handling high-profile cases that have garnered national attention
- Some notable instances include: 1
- In 2020, Mr. Zelms represented one of the largest fitness companies in the U.S. in a groundbreaking case against the Governor of Arizona during the COVID-19 pandemic
- His successful argument highlighted the violation of his client's procedural due process rights, leading to the reopening of fitness centers in Arizona. 2.In February 2018, Mr. Zelms secured the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by "America's Toughest Sheriff," Sheriff Joe Arpaio
- The victory was covered by major media outlets, including USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Times. 3
- In November 2017, Mr. Zelms obtained a favorable verdict in a severe trucking/bus accident trial, skillfully defending against high damages claimed by the plaintiff and securing a unanimous verdict for less than the claimed amount. 4
- In March 2015, Mr. Zelms achieved a full defense verdict in a complex legal malpractice case involving corporate transactions, successfully navigating through an extensive array of documents and potential witnesses. 5
- In August 2012, Mr. Zelms achieved an unprecedented defense verdict in a $20,000,000 trial related to a sexual assault at an Arizona high school, defending a Fortune 1000 company and a large school district
- Mr. Zelms' expertise extends to various legal matters, including aviation law, intentional tort lawsuits, construction defect claims, and complex real estate E&O cases
- Notably, he has secured dismissals and defense verdicts for prominent clients across diverse industries
- Mr. Zelms is an esteemed member of the State Bar of Arizona and the U.S
- District Court, District of Arizona
- He actively contributes to the legal community as a member of the American Bar Association, Defense Research Institute, and LawForKids.org, an organization providing legal Q&A forums for Arizona's school children
- Moreover, Mr. Zelms has served as the chair of the Southwest Chapter of PLUS (Professional Liability Underwriting Society)
- As an expert in E&O insurance renewals, Mr. Zelms is frequently retained by insurance carriers and brokers to conduct Risk Management Audits and Peer Review Assessments of attorneys and law firms
- He has also been an Instructor for the Arizona Association of REALTORS® rCRMS Risk Management Certification Program and has conducted seminars on risk management and claims issues for numerous insurance carriers and companies nationwide
- With an impressive track record of success, Robert B. Zelms stands as a legal luminary in Arizona, known for his unwavering dedication to his clients and unparalleled expertise across a broad spectrum of legal practice areas
Practice Areas Explained
Mr Robert Zelms's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Mr Robert Zelms handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Phoenix.
Construction Law in Phoenix
Mr Robert Zelms is one of 40,302 construction attorneys indexed nationally. Browse construction attorneys in Arizona →
Civil Litigation in Phoenix
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
Mr Robert Zelms is one of 450,751 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Arizona →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Phoenix
Practicing law in Arizona. Legal matters in Arizona are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Phoenix are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Arizona state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Arizona brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Arizona courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Phoenix Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Phoenix-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Arizona attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Phoenix or all attorneys in Arizona.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Phoenix Choose Mr Robert Zelms
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Mr Robert Zelms's practice in the field of construction and litigation.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Mr Robert Zelms brings 28+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in Arizona and U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, Mr Robert Zelms can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering construction and litigation, Mr Robert Zelms can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Phoenix
A Phoenix-based practice means Mr Robert Zelms attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
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Mr Robert Zelms's Practice Areas & Specializations
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