Zachary Ethan Zwerdling

Mr. Zwerdling moved to Humboldt County in 1959. He attended local schools and graduated from Arcata High School in 1969. He then attended Stanford University, graduating in 1973 with academic honors.

Thereafter, he attended the University of Santa Clara School of Law and graduated in 1976. While a law student, Mr. Zwerdling was involved in moot court and he also published a Law Review Article titled  “Informed Consent and the Mental Patient: California Recognizes a Mental Patient’s Right to Refuse Psychosurgery and Shock Treatment.”

After passing the bar exam, he began working in the Humboldt County Public Defender’s office. After he left the public defender’s office, Mr. Zwerdling, beginning at the age of 29, was court appointed to represent five criminal defendants charged with homicide.

He obtained acquittals in three of those homicide cases.  One defendant was found not guilty by reason of insanity in the fourth case.  One client was convicted in a felony murder situation.

He went into private, civil practice in 1978 and has worked continuously since that date as an attorney specializing in personal injury cases.