Jay Zelenock

Jay Zelenock

Mr. Zelenock grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and earned a B.A. in history from the University of Michigan. He graduated from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 1998, and since then has practiced civil justice law in Traverse City. He has successfully represented clients with numerous complex personal injury, business, contract, insurance coverage, employment and property issues over the years. He has assisted numerous clients with negotiating out-of-court settlements, and also in many litigated cases in the trial and appellate courts in state and federal court.

In May 2010, Mr. Zelenock was elected to serve on the Board of Governors of the Grand Traverse-Leelanau-Antrim Bar Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to maintaining the highest professional standards and ensuring excellence in the administration of justice in Northwest Michigan. In addition to a fast-paced practice representing clients in private disputes, Mr. Zelenock has served as legal counsel for Save Our Downtown (SOD), a Traverse City-based non-profit organization dedicated to historical and community preservation, which litigated several high-profile cases in the trial and appellate courts to ensure the people’s “right to vote” under the City Charter and other applicable law. He has also served as legal counsel for TC Taxpayers For Justice, which is another pro-democracy organization dedicated to promoting the public’s right to vote. Both SOD and TC Taxpayers for Justice are “power to the people” organizations that are committed to preserving and promoting the public’s “right to vote” so the People have a powerful voice in the most important community decisions through appropriate direct
democracy.

Mr. Zelenock has also served as President of the Board of Directors of Inland Seas Education Association, a local non-profit organization that promotes education and stewardship of the Great Lakes. ISEA operates out of Suttons Bay and teaches
children and adults aboard the Schoolship The Inland Seas. Mr. Zelenock is also proud to support Goodwill Industries/Traverse City, Interlochen Arts Academy, Third Level Crisis Center, Safe Harbor, the Women’s Resource Center, and the Indiana University-Maurer School of Law, where he served as 1998 Class Agent and has returned to judge moot court. He has volunteered as an Assistant Varsity Football Coach at Traverse City West High School. Mr. Zelenock enjoys Traverse City's natural beauty and resources, and often motorcycles, hikes, bicycles, skis, and snowshoes our many scenic areas.