Introducing Lesley Zork, Attorney at Law and Registered Nurse

Background and Professional Experience

I was born in Kalabo, Zambia and grew up in Zimbabwe, the child of American missionaries in the late 1950s, through the early 1970s. On returning to live in the United States in 1972, we settled in Lancaster, Massachusetts, where I completed high school and college and obtained a degree in nursing in 1979 from Atlantic Union College. I moved to Washington, D.C. after graduating, and worked as an R.N. in a busy high-risk obstetrical unit in one of D.C.'s major medical centers up until 1988.

In 1985, I enrolled at Antioch School of Law and completed my degree in two and half years while continuing to work as nurse on weekends and holidays to support myself. I was fortunate to be hired directly out law school to a highly competitive position in the trial division at the District of Columbia Public Defender Service. The D.C. Public Defender Service is the preeminent Public Defenders' office in the country with a legacy of great trial lawyers who have given real meaning to the Constitution's "right to counsel." I served there for six years. I was in court every day and was highly successful trying serious felony cases before juries.

In 1995, I began practicing privately, representing clients who had been seriously injured as a result of medical negligence. My private practice has combined my background and knowledge in nursing with the zealous approach to advocacy and litigation that I developed as a public defender. My legal practice has always centered on representing individuals who are up against the government or big insurance companies. The success I have enjoyed representing clients when the odds are stacked high against them comes as much from my passion and hard work ethic, as it does from my education, training and experience.

Professional/Community Service

I am a member of the state and federal bars in D.C. and Maryland. Throughout the years I have actively participated in professional activities. I have served on the Board of Governors of the D.C. Trial Lawyers Association, and was elected to the Steering Committee of the D.C. Bar Tort Section where I served as Chairman of the Medical Malpractice standing committee.

I have helped to organize, been a featured presenter, and attended numerous educational forums sponsored by the D.C., Maryland and Virginia Bar Associations; D.C. and Maryland Trial Lawyers Associations; and the Military Trial Lawyers Association. I taught trial advocacy at Atlantic Union College in 2007 and 2008, and have volunteered at a pro bono legal clinic on weekends.

I am on the Board of Lumina Studio Theatre - a company for young and adult actors of all levels who perform Shakespeare and other plays of classical repertory theatre. I will also be serving on the Board of the D.C. YMCA starting in January 2010.

Family

I am married to Gary Kohlman, a Senior Litigation Partner at Bredhoff & Kaiser. Between us, we have four wonderful children ranging in ages from 16-27. We have lived and raised our children in Washington D.C. and are deeply committed to this community. I reconnected with my "African roots" again a few years ago when I had the opportunity to purchase a tiny wood and thatch cottage on the top of a sand dune along the Mozambican coast overlooking the Indian Ocean. It has been a joy introducing my own family to this part of the world that meant so much during my formative years.

For additional information about my professional background, please follow the link below.

• Lesley Zork

If you have been injured because of medical negligence or have lost a loved one due to the carelessness of a healthcare provider, contact Attorney Lesley Zork for a free initial consultation by calling 202-251-8558.

No-cost consultation ◊ No recovery, no fee

Lesley Zork
Attorney at Law
Registered Nurse
1050 17th Street NW, Suite 1250
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-251-8558
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