Zalman Kass is an experienced commercial litigator with a specific focus on the financial industry and cryptocurrency. He is currently representing Dr. Craig Wright in a lawsuit that alleges he is the inventor of the crypto currency Bitcoin—and the blockchain itself— and that he has stolen half of the $22 billion fortune thus created. He is also representing 14 former bank directors, including the former chairman and president, in FDIC v. Galan-Alvarez, et al., a dispute in federal court for $257 million, arising from the FDIC’s takeover of R-G Premier Bank of Puerto Rico.

Zalman graduated from the Boston University School of Law and earned his undergraduate degree from Yeshivas Lubavitch. While in law school, he participated in both the Stone Moot Court Competition and the BU Civil Litigation Clinic. As a member of the clinic, he successfully represented indigent individuals in housing and employment disputes. He also interned at the Kings County District Attorney’s office prosecuting misdemeanor offenses on behalf of the county. Between undergrad and law school, he taught Judaic studies in Ukraine.

Prior to joining Rivero Mestre, he was awarded a public interest fellowship. As a legal fellow at the Legal Aid Service of Broward County, he represented clients facing eviction and the termination of their federal housing benefits.

ENGAGEMENTS

Speaking Engagements

The Litigation Room: Where it Happens Podcast, Speaker, Don’t rely on CAMELS: You may end up getting sued, November 2020

COMMUNITY

Associations & Activities

The Florida Bar Business Law Section, Intellectual Property Committee, 2020 – Present


The Florida Bar Business Law Section, Computer & Technology Law Committee, 2020 – Present

RECOGNITIONS

Recognitions & Honors

Ranked in Benchmark Litigation, 40 & Under List, 2024


Named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Commercial Litigation, 2022


Selected to Florida Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2021-2023


Florida Trend Florida Legal Elite, Up & Comer, 2021 – 2022

RECOGNITIONS

Recognitions & Honors

Ranked in the 2021 edition of Benchmark Litigation as a “Local Litigation Star” in General Commercial and Class Action


Recognized as a Florida Super Lawyer Rising Star (2016-2018)


Selected as a Top Rated International Attorney in the 2017 edition of Florida Super Lawyers


Recipient of Harvard Law School’s full scholarship to attend its Accelerated Leadership Program (2015)


Rivero Mestre honored by The American Lawyer as a winner of a Global Legal Award for its work on the Chevron v. Donziger case in the category of Global Dispute of the Year: U.S. Fraud Litigation (2014)

RECOGNITIONS

Recognitions & Honors

Ranked in the 2021 edition of Benchmark Litigation as a “Local Litigation Star” in General Commercial and Class Action


Recognized as a Florida Super Lawyer Rising Star (2016-2018)


Selected as a Top Rated International Attorney in the 2017 edition of Florida Super Lawyers


Recipient of Harvard Law School’s full scholarship to attend its Accelerated Leadership Program (2015)


Rivero Mestre honored by The American Lawyer as a winner of a Global Legal Award for its work on the Chevron v. Donziger case in the category of Global Dispute of the Year: U.S. Fraud Litigation (2014)

RECOGNITIONS

Recognitions & Honors

Ranked in the 2021 edition of Benchmark Litigation as a “Local Litigation Star” in General Commercial and Class Action


Recognized as a Florida Super Lawyer Rising Star (2016-2018)


Selected as a Top Rated International Attorney in the 2017 edition of Florida Super Lawyers


Recipient of Harvard Law School’s full scholarship to attend its Accelerated Leadership Program (2015)


Rivero Mestre honored by The American Lawyer as a winner of a Global Legal Award for its work on the Chevron v. Donziger case in the category of Global Dispute of the Year: U.S. Fraud Litigation (2014)

RECOGNITIONS

Recognitions & Honors

Ranked in the 2021 edition of Benchmark Litigation as a “Local Litigation Star” in General Commercial and Class Action


Recognized as a Florida Super Lawyer Rising Star (2016-2018)


Selected as a Top Rated International Attorney in the 2017 edition of Florida Super Lawyers


Recipient of Harvard Law School’s full scholarship to attend its Accelerated Leadership Program (2015)


Rivero Mestre honored by The American Lawyer as a winner of a Global Legal Award for its work on the Chevron v. Donziger case in the category of Global Dispute of the Year: U.S. Fraud Litigation (2014)

RECOGNITIONS

Recognitions & Honors

Ranked in the 2021 edition of Benchmark Litigation as a “Local Litigation Star” in General Commercial and Class Action


Recognized as a Florida Super Lawyer Rising Star (2016-2018)


Selected as a Top Rated International Attorney in the 2017 edition of Florida Super Lawyers


Recipient of Harvard Law School’s full scholarship to attend its Accelerated Leadership Program (2015)


Rivero Mestre honored by The American Lawyer as a winner of a Global Legal Award for its work on the Chevron v. Donziger case in the category of Global Dispute of the Year: U.S. Fraud Litigation (2014)

Education

Boston University School of Law, J.D.


Yeshivas Lubavitch, equivalent of B.A. in Talmudic Law

Admissions

Florida Bar, 2012


Massachusetts Bar, 2013

Practice Areas

News & Engagements