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.
Speaking Engagements
The Litigation Room: Where it Happens Podcast, Speaker, Don’t rely on CAMELS: You may end up getting sued, November 2020
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 & Honors
Ranked in Benchmark Litigation, 40 & Under List, 2023-2025
Named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Commercial Litigation, 2022
Selected to Florida Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2021-2024
Florida Trend Florida Legal Elite, Up & Comer, 2021 – 2022
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 & 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 & 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 & 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 & 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
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