the shark
Zenas Sirius Zelotes
Founder - Firm Director
I don’t prepare to negotiate,
I prepare to dominate.
When you’re facing someone who plays dirty, hides money, twists the truth, or weaponizes the legal system, you don’t need a lawyer who plays it safe—you need one who sees every angle, expects every move, and isn’t afraid to hit back harder with precision, strategy, and zero hesitation.
the courtroom is my ocean
the shark
zenas sirius zelotes
razor sharp
basic training
J.D. w/ Honors
University of Iowa College of Law
1997 - 2000
Concentration in Evidence, Legal Philosophy and Unfair Competition
United States Marine Corps
Veteran
1992 - 1997
Champion marksman. News correspondent. Fitness instructor. Forged by the Marine Corps. Tested under pressure. Disciplined, relentless, and always ready to fight.
age - 53
Hometown: Essex
1972
the shark
zenas sirius zelotes
razor sharp
built for the fight
How I got here
From No Connections - to National Headlines
001
I didn’t come from a line of lawyers. No mentors, no money, no safety net. I opened my practice right right out of the gate. Worked nights. Hustled. Took on corporate giants early in my career because I had to - and I only got paid if I won. Suffice to say, going without pay was not an option. Neither was compromise. I was focused on the big picture and prepared to go the distance. So I took every case to trial and quickly developed a reputation. Those David-and-Goliath trials put me on the map - and I’ve been dominating in the courtroom ever since.
The Marine Mindset
You Don’t Outfight Me. You Don’t Outwork Me.
002
Becoming a Marine was harder than law school, and more defining. It taught me to outlast, outthink, and never be intimidated. I was a competitive marksman in the Corps, nailing headshots at 1,000 yards. Trial law works the same way, win through discipline, precision, and relentless attention to the details no one else sees.
The d.i. hat comes out
Some Lawyers Coddle. I correct
003
Sometimes clients need straight talk, not soft talk. I don’t yell to intimidate, I speak hard truths to protect people from themselves. If you’re making a mistake, I’ll tell you. Because protecting your future sometimes means snapping you out of the moment. I’d rather hurt your feelings than let you wreck your case.
What most clients get wrong
the mediation trap and other myths
004
Most people fall for mediation too early, especially the non-moneyed spouse. I’ve seen it ruin lives. Once that agreement is signed, it’s nearly impossible to undo. Mediation isn’t always bad, but it’s rarely smart in a high-conflict, high-net-worth case. Strategy matters more than good intentions.
what most lawyers get wrong
im not a yes man. I'm the guy you call when you want to win.
005
Most lawyers are afraid to lose a client, so they follow bad orders. Not me. I make the call, and if that’s a problem, there’s the door. You hire me to steer the ship, not to ask which way you want to sail.
The courtroom switch
Game Face On. Opponent In Sight.
006
Before trial, I throw on my headphones, pump rock music, and get fired up like a fighter before the ring. Not nervous, just excited. I live for it. Trial is my arena. I dominate the room because I’m the most prepared person in it, always.
ALWAYS SHARPENING THE SWORD
You Bring a Novel to the Beach. I Bring the Rules of Evidence.
007
While other lawyers skim the basics, I study the rules of evidence like a martial art. It’s what separates real trial lawyers from everyone else. I’ve had elite firms ask me to train their attorneys, and I take that as the highest compliment.
ON FITNESS AND DISCIPLINE
Discipline Doesn’t Clock Out.
008
I wake up at 5AM. I train seven days a week. At 53, I’m in better shape than most guys at 23, and I don’t say that to brag. I say it because how you do anything is how you do everything. If you let yourself slide at the gym, you’ll slide in court. I don’t let myself slide. Period.
WHAT IT’S REALLY LIKE TO NEGOTIATE WITH ME
Quiet Confidence Is the Most Dangerous Kind.
009
Opposing attorneys assume I bark. I don’t. I smile. I stay calm. And I remind them, if they don’t want the deal, we can step into the ring. No problem. That quiet confidence, that’s what makes the other side fold.
WHAT I TELL CLIENTS WHO WANT TO QUIT
Short-Term Pain or Long-Term Regret
010
When a client’s ready to give up, I tell them to picture their life in 20 years. The choices they make now will shape that future. It’s not about the stress today, it’s about your quality of life, your kids, your dignity. I’ll carry you through the fire, but you’ve got to walk through it with me.
the shark
zenas sirius zelotes
razor sharp
"Remind me never to piss you off …"
Mark Dubois
Former President - Connecticut Bar Association
Results. Reputation.
Testimonials
Relentless Advocacy.
Proof is in the Results.
Clients don’t just hire The Shark—they win with him, and their stories speak for themselves.
After two highly recommended attorneys botched my case, Attorney Zelotes came in and turned my case around. He is an exceptionally strong litigator whose expertise in the courtroom made a significant difference in the outcome. If you’re dealing with a narcissist and are exhausted, trust me – he’s your guy. There are few attorneys, especially in family law, that are true trial lawyers. I cannot say enough about Attorney Zelotes, as a person and as an lawyer. In a high conflict case in Connecticut, you aren’t going to find better.
Jessica Zampedri
Trumbull
You’ve gone toe-to-toe with one of Connecticut’s most aggressive attorneys and completely outshined them. You’re fair, responsive, and respectful, yet unflinchingly tough in all the right ways. You prepared me so thoroughly for my testimony that when I took the stand, it felt like second nature—exactly what we practiced. Watching my abusive spouse’s usual courtroom performance fall apart was the first time I felt justice was on my side. After eight years of trauma and legal setbacks, finding you feels like winning the lottery.
Alexandra Fletcher
West Hartford
Attorney Zelotes was an extraordinary advocate. He prepared like no other and performed brilliantly, showcasing unconventional trail strategies that wowed the judges and even the “Barracuda” representing my ex-husband. While waiting outside the courtroom, I was approached on more than one occasion with observations about my attorney and his remarkable courtroom manner. Everyone who observed him was in awe.
Kimberly Keinz
Old Saybrook
the shark
Zenas Sirius Zelotes
Founder - Firm Director
I don’t prepare to negotiate,
I prepare to dominate.
When you’re facing someone who plays dirty, hides money, twists the truth, or weaponizes the legal system, you don’t need a lawyer who plays it safe—you need one who sees every angle, expects every move, and isn’t afraid to hit back harder with precision, strategy, and zero hesitation.
the courtroom is my ocean
the shark
zenas sirius zelotes
razor sharp
basic training
J.D. w/ Honors
University of Iowa College of Law
1997 - 2000
Concentration in Evidence, Legal Philosophy and Unfair Competition
United States Marine Corps
Veteran
1992 - 1997
Champion marksman. News correspondent. Fitness instructor. Forged by the Marine Corps. Tested under pressure. Disciplined, relentless, and always ready to fight.
age - 53
Hometown: Essex
1972
the shark
zenas sirius zelotes
razor sharp
built for the fight
How I got here
From No Connections - to National Headlines
001
I didn’t come from a line of lawyers. No mentors, no money, no safety net. I opened my practice right right out of the gate. Worked nights. Hustled. Took on corporate giants early in my career because I had to - and I only got paid if I won. Suffice to say, going without pay was not an option. Neither was compromise. I was focused on the big picture and prepared to go the distance. So I took every case to trial and quickly developed a reputation. Those David-and-Goliath trials put me on the map - and I’ve been dominating in the courtroom ever since.
The Marine Mindset
You Don’t Outfight Me. You Don’t Outwork Me.
002
Becoming a Marine was harder than law school, and more defining. It taught me to outlast, outthink, and never be intimidated. I was a competitive marksman in the Corps, nailing headshots at 1,000 yards. Trial law works the same way, win through discipline, precision, and relentless attention to the details no one else sees.
The d.i. hat comes out
Some Lawyers Coddle. I correct
003
Sometimes clients need straight talk, not soft talk. I don’t yell to intimidate, I speak hard truths to protect people from themselves. If you’re making a mistake, I’ll tell you. Because protecting your future sometimes means snapping you out of the moment. I’d rather hurt your feelings than let you wreck your case.
What most clients get wrong
the mediation trap and other myths
004
Most people fall for mediation too early, especially the non-moneyed spouse. I’ve seen it ruin lives. Once that agreement is signed, it’s nearly impossible to undo. Mediation isn’t always bad, but it’s rarely smart in a high-conflict, high-net-worth case. Strategy matters more than good intentions.
what most lawyers get wrong
im not a yes man. I'm the guy you call when you want to win.
005
Most lawyers are afraid to lose a client, so they follow bad orders. Not me. I make the call, and if that’s a problem, there’s the door. You hire me to steer the ship, not to ask which way you want to sail.
The courtroom switch
Game Face On. Opponent In Sight.
006
Before trial, I throw on my headphones, pump rock music, and get fired up like a fighter before the ring. Not nervous, just excited. I live for it. Trial is my arena. I dominate the room because I’m the most prepared person in it, always.
ALWAYS SHARPENING THE SWORD
You Bring a Novel to the Beach. I Bring the Rules of Evidence.
007
While other lawyers skim the basics, I study the rules of evidence like a martial art. It’s what separates real trial lawyers from everyone else. I’ve had elite firms ask me to train their attorneys, and I take that as the highest compliment.
ON FITNESS AND DISCIPLINE
Discipline Doesn’t Clock Out.
008
I wake up at 5AM. I train seven days a week. At 53, I’m in better shape than most guys at 23, and I don’t say that to brag. I say it because how you do anything is how you do everything. If you let yourself slide at the gym, you’ll slide in court. I don’t let myself slide. Period.
WHAT IT’S REALLY LIKE TO NEGOTIATE WITH ME
Quiet Confidence Is the Most Dangerous Kind.
009
Opposing attorneys assume I bark. I don’t. I smile. I stay calm. And I remind them, if they don’t want the deal, we can step into the ring. No problem. That quiet confidence, that’s what makes the other side fold.
WHAT I TELL CLIENTS WHO WANT TO QUIT
Short-Term Pain or Long-Term Regret
010
When a client’s ready to give up, I tell them to picture their life in 20 years. The choices they make now will shape that future. It’s not about the stress today, it’s about your quality of life, your kids, your dignity. I’ll carry you through the fire, but you’ve got to walk through it with me.
the shark
zenas sirius zelotes
razor sharp
"Remind me never to piss you off …"
Mark Dubois
Former President - Connecticut Bar Association
Results. Reputation.
Testimonials
Relentless Advocacy.
Proof is in the Results.
Clients don’t just hire The Shark—they win with him, and their stories speak for themselves.
After two highly recommended attorneys botched my case, Attorney Zelotes came in and turned my case around. He is an exceptionally strong litigator whose expertise in the courtroom made a significant difference in the outcome. If you’re dealing with a narcissist and are exhausted, trust me – he’s your guy. There are few attorneys, especially in family law, that are true trial lawyers. I cannot say enough about Attorney Zelotes, as a person and as an lawyer. In a high conflict case in Connecticut, you aren’t going to find better.
Jessica Zampedri
Trumbull
You’ve gone toe-to-toe with one of Connecticut’s most aggressive attorneys and completely outshined them. You’re fair, responsive, and respectful, yet unflinchingly tough in all the right ways. You prepared me so thoroughly for my testimony that when I took the stand, it felt like second nature—exactly what we practiced. Watching my abusive spouse’s usual courtroom performance fall apart was the first time I felt justice was on my side. After eight years of trauma and legal setbacks, finding you feels like winning the lottery.
Alexandra Fletcher
West Hartford
Attorney Zelotes was an extraordinary advocate. He prepared like no other and performed brilliantly, showcasing unconventional trail strategies that wowed the judges and even the “Barracuda” representing my ex-husband. While waiting outside the courtroom, I was approached on more than one occasion with observations about my attorney and his remarkable courtroom manner. Everyone who observed him was in awe.
Kimberly Keinz
Old Saybrook
the shark
Zenas Sirius Zelotes
Founder - Firm Director
I don’t prepare to negotiate,
I prepare to dominate.
When you’re facing someone who plays dirty, hides money, twists the truth, or weaponizes the legal system, you don’t need a lawyer who plays it safe—you need one who sees every angle, expects every move, and isn’t afraid to hit back harder with precision, strategy, and zero hesitation.
the courtroom is my ocean
the shark
zenas sirius zelotes
razor sharp
basic training
J.D. w/ Honors
University of Iowa College of Law
1997 - 2000
Concentration in Evidence, Legal Philosophy and Unfair Competition
United States Marine Corps
Veteran
1992 - 1997
Champion marksman. News correspondent. Fitness instructor. Forged by the Marine Corps. Tested under pressure. Disciplined, relentless, and always ready to fight.
age - 53
Hometown: Essex
1972
the shark
zenas sirius zelotes
razor sharp
built for the fight
How I got here
From No Connections - to National Headlines
001
I didn’t come from a line of lawyers. No mentors, no money, no safety net. I opened my practice right right out of the gate. Worked nights. Hustled. Took on corporate giants early in my career because I had to - and I only got paid if I won. Suffice to say, going without pay was not an option. Neither was compromise. I was focused on the big picture and prepared to go the distance. So I took every case to trial and quickly developed a reputation. Those David-and-Goliath trials put me on the map - and I’ve been dominating in the courtroom ever since.
The Marine Mindset
You Don’t Outfight Me. You Don’t Outwork Me.
002
Becoming a Marine was harder than law school, and more defining. It taught me to outlast, outthink, and never be intimidated. I was a competitive marksman in the Corps, nailing headshots at 1,000 yards. Trial law works the same way, win through discipline, precision, and relentless attention to the details no one else sees.
The d.i. hat comes out
Some Lawyers Coddle. I correct
003
Sometimes clients need straight talk, not soft talk. I don’t yell to intimidate, I speak hard truths to protect people from themselves. If you’re making a mistake, I’ll tell you. Because protecting your future sometimes means snapping you out of the moment. I’d rather hurt your feelings than let you wreck your case.
What most clients get wrong
the mediation trap and other myths
004
Most people fall for mediation too early, especially the non-moneyed spouse. I’ve seen it ruin lives. Once that agreement is signed, it’s nearly impossible to undo. Mediation isn’t always bad, but it’s rarely smart in a high-conflict, high-net-worth case. Strategy matters more than good intentions.
what most lawyers get wrong
im not a yes man. I'm the guy you call when you want to win.
005
Most lawyers are afraid to lose a client, so they follow bad orders. Not me. I make the call, and if that’s a problem, there’s the door. You hire me to steer the ship, not to ask which way you want to sail.
The courtroom switch
Game Face On. Opponent In Sight.
006
Before trial, I throw on my headphones, pump rock music, and get fired up like a fighter before the ring. Not nervous, just excited. I live for it. Trial is my arena. I dominate the room because I’m the most prepared person in it, always.
ALWAYS SHARPENING THE SWORD
You Bring a Novel to the Beach. I Bring the Rules of Evidence.
007
While other lawyers skim the basics, I study the rules of evidence like a martial art. It’s what separates real trial lawyers from everyone else. I’ve had elite firms ask me to train their attorneys, and I take that as the highest compliment.
ON FITNESS AND DISCIPLINE
Discipline Doesn’t Clock Out.
008
I wake up at 5AM. I train seven days a week. At 53, I’m in better shape than most guys at 23, and I don’t say that to brag. I say it because how you do anything is how you do everything. If you let yourself slide at the gym, you’ll slide in court. I don’t let myself slide. Period.
WHAT IT’S REALLY LIKE TO NEGOTIATE WITH ME
Quiet Confidence Is the Most Dangerous Kind.
009
Opposing attorneys assume I bark. I don’t. I smile. I stay calm. And I remind them, if they don’t want the deal, we can step into the ring. No problem. That quiet confidence, that’s what makes the other side fold.
WHAT I TELL CLIENTS WHO WANT TO QUIT
Short-Term Pain or Long-Term Regret
010
When a client’s ready to give up, I tell them to picture their life in 20 years. The choices they make now will shape that future. It’s not about the stress today, it’s about your quality of life, your kids, your dignity. I’ll carry you through the fire, but you’ve got to walk through it with me.
the shark
zenas sirius zelotes
razor sharp
"Remind me never to piss you off …"
Mark Dubois
Former President - Connecticut Bar Association
Testimonials
Proof
is in the Results.
Clients don’t just hire The Shark—they win with him, and their stories speak for themselves.
After two highly recommended attorneys botched my case, Attorney Zelotes came in and turned my case around. He is an exceptionally strong litigator whose expertise in the courtroom made a significant difference in the outcome. If you’re dealing with a narcissist and are exhausted, trust me – he’s your guy. There are few attorneys, especially in family law, that are true trial lawyers. I cannot say enough about Attorney Zelotes, as a person and as an lawyer. In a high conflict case in Connecticut, you aren’t going to find better.
Jessica Zampedri
Trumbull
You’ve gone toe-to-toe with one of Connecticut’s most aggressive attorneys and completely outshined them. You’re fair, responsive, and respectful, yet unflinchingly tough in all the right ways. You prepared me so thoroughly for my testimony that when I took the stand, it felt like second nature—exactly what we practiced. Watching my abusive spouse’s usual courtroom performance fall apart was the first time I felt justice was on my side. After eight years of trauma and legal setbacks, finding you feels like winning the lottery.
Alexandra Fletcher
West Hartford
Attorney Zelotes was an extraordinary advocate. He prepared like no other and performed brilliantly, showcasing unconventional trail strategies that wowed the judges and even the “Barracuda” representing my ex-husband. While waiting outside the courtroom, I was approached on more than one occasion with observations about my attorney and his remarkable courtroom manner. Everyone who observed him was in awe.
Kimberly Keinz
Old Saybrook