About Joseph Zayaz

Joe has been practicing in Traverse City since 2006 with extensive experience in Civil Litigation, Employment Law, Business Litigation, Insurance Law, and Real Estate. Before joining Alward Fisher in 2017, Joe was a partner at Putney Zayaz, a firm specializing in all aspects of civil litigation.

Joe was born and raised in West Michigan, graduating from Fruitport High School. In 2003, he graduated from the University of Michigan and then attended Rutgers Law School in Camden, New Jersey. After graduating with honors in 2006, Joe returned home to West Michigan to practice law.

While in law school, Joe participated in the Rutgers Civil Practice Clinic, working for victims of construction lending scams to save their homes from foreclosure. He also participated in Trial Advocacy and Moot Court, where he was recognized for the “Best Respondent’s Brief”, and spent a summer interning at the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.

Joe practices in the areas of Civil Litigation, Employment Law, Business Law, Insurance Law, Real Estate, and Criminal Law. He has experience working on both sides of the aisle (both bringing claims on behalf of clients and defending clients when sued) and has achieved favorable results (both in and out of Court) for clients.

When not in the office, Joe enjoys spending time with his wife and three kids, exploring Northern Michigan, and taking advantage of all it has to offer. Joe also enjoys collecting and reading history books and watching the occasional baseball game when given the opportunity. Joe and his family are also members of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Traverse City. Joe and his family are active in the church and Joe is a member of the parish chapter of the Knights of Columbus.

Areas of Practice

  • Civil Litigation
  • Employment Law
  • Business Law
  • Insurance Law
  • Real Estate
  • Criminal Law

Education

  • Rutgers School of Law – Camden, Camden, New Jersey
    • J.D. – 2006
    • Honors: With Honors
  • University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan