Street Smart … Aggressive … Wired to Fight
Since the time Zenas Sirius Zelotes was admitted as a Connecticut attorney in 2001, his skills as a trial lawyer and advocate quickly thrust him into the forefront of Connecticut’s family law landscape.
Described by some as a “master of the rules of evidence” and others as the “Divorce Shark,” Zelotes quickly captured the attention of Connecticut’s legal community. The fantastic results he obtains for his clients, in the courtroom and at the negotiating table, speak for themselves.
Rather than operating a full-service family practice, Zelotes has narrowly focused his practice on high conflict and high net worth divorce litigation. He is one of the most sought out attorneys retained to take over complex divorce and custody cases on the eve of trial.
In addition to his Juris Doctorate from the University of Iowa College of Law, Zelotes is an accomplished Marine Corps veteran. It was in the Marines, as a news correspondent, where he first developed his command of persuasive speech and a clear communication style. It was also in the Marines where he fostered a keen sense of discipline, initially as battalion fitness instructor, and later as a champion competitive marksman.
After nearly two decades of refining his skills as a trial lawyer in Connecticut’s courtrooms, Zelotes’ reputation, trial skills and confidence place him at the very pinnacle of his profession and explains why he is one of the most respected trial lawyers in Connecticut. When it is the right choice for his client, his penchant for walking away from the negotiating table, stepping into the ring, and combative approach to litigation have occasionally generated controversy within the profession but it has also fueled his success.
Known for a natural trial demeanor, focus and discipline, Zelotes wakes up each morning, including weekends, heads to the gym, then plans out his next moves in the never-ending arena of family law. An innovative “first adapter” since the early 2000’s, Zelotes keeps his practice on the forefront of technology: constantly seeking ways to cut out the redundant inefficiencies that plague most firms. Zelotes serves a diverse but select cache of clients that includes everything from self-made entrepreneurs, physicians, executives and Wall Street professionals, to teachers, artists and stay-at-home moms.
In particular, Zelotes is most commonly retained in cases involving high-functioning personality disorders: narcissists, sociopaths, and other problematic pathologies. He is drawn to cases where there are false allegations, a history of adultery or other elements of fault.
Being highly selective about the clients he accepts, Zelotes ensures that each and every case he agrees to take on is given the personal attention it deserves.
Zelotes is married and resides in the historic district of Essex. In his limited free time, he enjoys studying history, business, and kayaking on the Connecticut River.
Traditional American Values
As a family law attorney who values a conservative perspective in child custody cases, I often find myself navigating the complexities of representing clients who may feel like strangers in their own land. As a conservative Republican in a deep blue state, I understand that many people feel Connecticut has lost its way. Despite these challenges, my goal is to stand firm in defending values that matter to conservative families who want a voice that truly aligns with their beliefs.
I’ve represented clients in all types of cases, and pride myself on providing diligent advocacy whether a client’s values align more with the left or the right. However, I firmly believe that values do matter, especially in cases as intimate and impactful as those involving child custody. When you’re entrusting your family’s future to legal counsel, you deserve someone who understands and respects your worldview, not someone who talks down to you or disregards your beliefs.
I strongly believe that parents are the best people to make decisions for their children—not the government. Expert opinions can be valuable, and they do have a place in the courtroom, but they should always be tempered with common sense.
Parenting, after all, is about preparing children for the real world—not sheltering them in “safe spaces” or blocking out opinions they disagree with. Ideally, we should aim to foster self-reliance and an entrepreneurial spirit in our children, emphasizing responsibility, civic duty and rejecting victim mentalities.
In a world where feelings are often given undue weight, I believe we must anchor our decisions in reality and pragmatism. Kids today are over-diagnosed and over-medicated, and parents must reclaim their role as guides, not mere facilitators.
We need to teach our children that life is based on merit, not a culture of lowered standards, pronouns and participation trophies.
My approach to child custody emphasizes common sense, even when it may not align with politically preferred narratives. I stand by values rooted in a secular but morally grounded society, believing that Judeo-Christian principles are beneficial for children and society at large. I encourage pride in our country and its heritage, and believe in a colorblind society where we promote equal opportunities to all who pursue the American dream.
I believe in freedom of speech, diversity of opinion, and reject the poisonous influence of cancel culture. As parents, we have a responsibility to our children to be straightforward about fundamental truths, including that there are two genders—male and female, both of which assigned at birth.
Our children – deserve – a return to common sense.
A good lawyer understands how to weave these conservative principles into legal arguments, and I aim to be that advocate for families who want a lawyer who doesn’t just understand their values but actively shares and champions them.
Zenas Sirius Zelotes Esq.
- Age: 52 (1972)
- United States Marine Corps Veteran, 1992-1997
- J.D. w/ Honors – University of Iowa College of Law (2000)
Past and Present Affiliations:
- Connecticut Bar Association, Family Law Section
- American Bar Association, Family Law Section
- ABA Trial Practice & Techniques Committee
- Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
- Convention Speaker: Chicago / Las Vegas / Scottsdale
- Stamford-Fairfield Bar Assoc., Family Law Section
- Bridgeport Bar Assoc., Family Law Section
- Danbury Bar Association
- Litchfield County Bar Association
- Middlesex County Bar Association
- Over 1000 Clients Served