Zorba C. Leslie

Zorba Leslie has experience at all stages of pre-trial litigation, including drafting complaints, managing discovery practice, preparing witnesses for testimony, taking depositions, and drafting dispositive motions.

Zorba is an active participant in Steptoe’s pro bono initiatives, particularly in the areas of civil and immigrant rights. He was part of a team that obtained a favorable settlement on behalf of a Maryland inmate in his First Amendment retaliation and Eighth Amendment excessive force claims against prison guards, administrators, and medical staff.

He is a Co-Chair of the Generous Associates Campaign for the Legal Aid Society of DC. Zorba also serves as a coach for Howard University School of Law’s Charles Hamilton Houston National Moot Court Team.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Zorba managed anti-slavery programs in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and Haiti for an international human rights advocacy organization. He received the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship to study post-conflict transitional justice mechanisms, and was a NSEP David L. Boren Scholar to Egypt.

Bar & Court Admissions:

• District of Columbia
• Maryland
• US District Court, District of Maryland

Education:

• J.D., Howard University School of Law, 2015, cum laude; Merit Scholar; Dean’s Writing Fellow; Best Oral Advocate, Intramural Moot Court Competition; Best Team, DC Cup Moot Court Competition
• B.A., University of Puget Sound, 2007