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Dennis S. Zell

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Dennis S. Zell

Shareholder, Chair - Appellate

411 Borel Avenue, Suite 310
San Mateo, CA 94402

650-963-2186 | 650-963-2171
dennis.zell@hogefenton.com
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Dennis S. Zell

Main Bio

Practice Overview

Dennis Zell is a highly accomplished attorney with over 30 years of civil litigation experience, including trial and appellate work in both California and Federal courts. Dennis’ current trial practice consists mostly of real estate and trust litigation cases. He also accepts cases involving breach of contracts, zoning & land use, and free speech. Dennis’ primary role at Hoge Fenton is serving as the Chair of the Appellate Practice Group where he oversees all appeals, amicus briefs, and writs.

Background

Prior to joining Hoge Fenton, Dennis was a general practitioner at the Zell Law Firm and a senior litigation associate for Fox, Shjeflo, Hartley, & Babu, and Coddington, Hicks & Danforth, LLP.

Practice Areas

Education

  • J.D., Golden Gate University, School of Law with a certification of Specialization in Litigation
  • B.A., Political Science, University of California, Los Angeles

Admissions

  • California State Bar
  • United States District Court, Northern District of California
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of California
  • United States District Court, Central District of California
  • United States District Court, Southern District of California
  • United States Supreme Court

 

Affiliation & Awards

Professional Activities

Dennis has been a member of the San Mateo Bar Association since 1999 and a member of American Business Trial Lawyers Association, Northern California since 2009. He was a Coach for the San Mateo County Bar Association Mock Trial Program from 2004 to 2019.

Dennis is currently a Board Director of the Peninsula Health Care District (a California Special District located in Burlingame).

Dennis serves over 200,000 constituents on the San Francisco Peninsula as an elected public official. The district projects during his tenure include the construction of a 124-unit assisted living and memory care center, the establishment of a community dental center serving at-risk populations; creation of the Teen Mental Health Initiative, the establishment of Allcove youth assistance center, and the continuing establishment of residences for developmentally disabled people. Dennis served five years as the Board treasurer and ten years as the Chair of the Finance Committee of the district.

Dennis also served two terms on the Board of Directors of the California Association of Health Care Districts in Sacramento.

He has been an active member of the Burlingame Rotary Club since 2002 and was the chapter’s President from 2010-2011.

Awards

Northern California Super Lawyers, 2023-2025
Burlingame Rotary Club, Wade Macomber Award, 2020
Burlingame High School Alumni of the Year, 2020

Representative Experience

Representative Matters/Clients

  • Alliance for a Better Downtown Millbrae v. Wade (2003) 108 Cal. App. 4th 123
  • Maldonado v. Harris (9th Cir. 2004) 370 F. 3d 945, cert. denied (2005) 544 U.S. 968
  • Maldonado v. Kempton (N.D. Cal. 2006) 422 F. Supp. 2d 1169 (Breyer, J.)
  • Maldonado v. Morales (9th Cir. 2009) 556 F. 3d 1037, cert. denied (2010) 558 U.S.1158
  • Goebner v. Superior Court (2025) 110 Cal. App. 5th 1105

Speaking & Publications

Peninsula

Peninsula

411 Borel Avenue, Suite 310
San Mateo, CA, 94402-3535

650-963-2170 650-963-2171

Silicon Valley

Silicon Valley

55 South Market St., Suite 900
San Jose, CA, 95113-2324

408-287-9501 408-287-2583

Tri-Valley

Tri-Valley

6801 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 210
Pleasanton, CA, 94566-7047

925-224-7780 925-224-7782

Mackrell International California Minority Counsel Program Bay Area Green Business