J.D., Samford University, Cumberland School of Law, 2025
B.S., Business Administration, summa cum laude, Auburn University, 2022
Harriet began at Friedman, Dazzio & Zulanas, P.C. during law school, participating in the firm’s Summer Law Clerk program during both her first and second-year summers. After being admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 2025, Harriet joined the firm as an associate attorney. Her practice focuses on civil litigation, environmental law, insurance defense, and premises liability. Harriet is licensed to practice in Alabama and, through pro hac vice admission, represents clients in Georgia.
Harriet earned her undergraduate degree from Auburn University, where she studied business administration and political science. She earned her Juris Doctor from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law, graduating at the top of her class. While in law school, Harriet was a Merit Scholar and named to the Dean’s List each semester. She was also a member of the American Journal of Trial Advocacy, where she served as Online Associate Editor (Vol. 47) and Student Materials Editor (Vol. 48).
Harriet was raised in Athens, Alabama. She enjoys traveling and spending time with friends, family, and her pets, Oliver and Pip.
Areas of Practice
Civil Litigation
Construction Law
Insurance Defense
Environmental Law/Litigation
Medical Malpractice
Products Liability
State Bar Admissions
Alabama
Education
J.D., University of Alabama School of Law, 2025
B.B.A., Finance, University of Notre Dame, 2022
CJ joined Friedman, Dazzio & Zulanas, P.C. as an Associate Attorney in 2025. He will maintain a general litigation practice consisting primarily of insurance defense and environmental litigation. CJ earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Notre Dame in 2022, and he graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law in 2025.
During law school, CJ served as a Senior Editor for the Journal of the Legal Profession, where he also published his student note on cybersecurity at small- and medium-sized law firms, 49 J. Legal Prof. 45 (2024). CJ also served as Vice President of the St. Thomas More Society and worked as a student attorney in the law school’s Entrepreneurship & Nonprofit Clinic. CJ participated in the Firm’s Summer Law Clerk program during both his first and second-year summers.
CJ is from Huntsville, Alabama. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with friends and family, cheering for Notre Dame, and playing chess.
Areas of Practice
Construction Law
Insurance Coverage
Personal Injury
Premises Liability
Products Liability
Worker’s Compensation
State Bar Admissions
Alabama
Education
J.D., North Carolina Central University School of Law, 2017
B.A., Hampton University, 2014
Kevin Boston joined Friedman, Dazzio, & Zulanas. P.C. as an Associate Attorney in 2024. Kevin’s practice primarily involves litigation arising out of personal injury, products liability, premises liability, insurance coverage, worker’s compensation, and construction. Attorney Boston has litigated and tried to verdict various matters in more than a dozen counties in Alabama.
Prior to joining Friedman, Dazzio, & Zulanas, P.C., Kevin worked in-house for a Fortune 500 insurance company regarding coverage matters, claims handling procedures, and contractual obligations.
Other areas of expertise include Social Security Benefits, Disability Benefits, Mortgage Foreclosures, Landlord-Tenant Law, and Expunctions. He has extensive experience with alternatives to litigation, including mediation, and can offer a wide array of creative options to resolve matters efficiently and effectively.
Kevin is a Virginia native, who is married to Chaslyn Boston and a proud father of his son Kevin Boston, Jr. Kevin is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
J.D., The University of Alabama School of Law, 2024
B.S., Biology, The University of Alabama, 2021
Carmen Paige joined Friedman, Dazzio, & Zulanas. P.C. as an Associate Attorney after being admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 2024. She will maintain a general litigation practice consisting primarily of civil litigation, construction law, and insurance defense. Carmen earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from The University of Alabama in 2021. While at Alabama, she became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and worked as an intern with Project Health Peer Education.
Carmen earned her Juris Doctorate from The University of Alabama School of Law. While in law school, Carmen worked as a student attorney in the school’s Civil Law Clinic. Additionally, she was a member of the Alabama Law Moot Court Board, Co-Chair of the Alabama Law 2L Moot Court Competition, and Vice President of the Tuscaloosa Civil Rights and Reconciliation Organization. As a third-year law student, Carmen was a member of Alabama’s Black Law Student Association trial advocacy team. As a member of the team, she competed in North Carolina and Texas, where they ultimately won second place in the nation. During her first- and second-year summers, Carmen participated in the Firm’s Summer Law Clerk Program.
Carmen was raised by two Army officers and traveled frequently as a child, but claims Phenix City, AL as home. She enjoys watching Alabama football, pistol marksmanship, reading, listening to music, and playing with her mini schnauzer.
Areas of Practice
Personal Injury
Construction
Insurance Coverage
Products Liability
Premise Liability
State Bar Admissions
Alabama
Education
J.D., Cumberland School of Law
B.A., Wake Forest University
Dan Pickett’s civil litigation practice involves the representation of clients in personal injury, construction, products liability, and premises liability matters. Dan regularly defends trucking companies and drivers, product distributors and manufacturers in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. Dan advises and represents insurance carriers in coverage matters. Additionally, Dan represents underground and surface mining companies in a variety of litigation. Dan has a broad range of experience in representing municipalities, public officials, and general contractors in complex litigation in state and federal courts for the past 20 years.
In his insurance practice, Dan counsels insurance companies regarding coverage matters, claims handling procedures and contractual obligations. He focuses on defending insurance companies in bad faith and coverage litigation, as well as prosecuting declaratory judgment actions. He has experience with many insurance products, including commercial, personal, auto, and property insurance policies.
Dan is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Alabama, as well as the United States District Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Dan is also a registered mediator with the Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution.
Dan recently obtained summary judgment for a commercial waste hauler on nuisance claims related to the operation of a waste transfer station in south Alabama and prevailed on appeal of the case to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
Dan obtained summary judgment for an individual on claims of racial discrimination and racketeering regarding the operation of a wood chip mill.
Dan successfully defended a local non-profit organization at trial against plaintiff’s worker’s compensation claim. Following the trial, the court found Plaintiff only had a minimal vocational impairment, which greatly reduced plaintiff’s recovery.
Dan defended a driver in a motor vehicle accident case in which plaintiff asserted negligence and wantonness claims as a result of an accident in Bessemer, Alabama. After conducting discovery, Dan succeeded in obtaining an order of dismissal from the trial court.
Dan defended an insurance carrier against plaintiffs’ claims for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage arising from an automobile accident that occurred in Walker County. Mr. Pickett was successful in obtaining dismissal of the claims against the carrier.
Dan represented a driver in an automobile accident in which it was alleged that the driver caused the death of two minors and injuries to two other occupants of a vehicle in Tuscaloosa County and was able to reach a successful resolution of the claim after discovery.
Dan represented a coal miner in a mining and blasting case which initially involved 33 plaintiffs and 21 properties. Dan was successful in reducing the case to 20 plaintiffs and 13 properties, thereby minimizing the exposure of his client.
Dan defended an Alabama city and several city officials against plaintiffs’ Fourth Amendment unlawful arrest and related claims based on the operation of its municipal court. After obtaining dismissal of several of plaintiffs’ claims, Dan was able to resolve this case.
Dan defended an Alabama city and numerous city officials against plaintiff’s Fourteenth Amendment due process claims regarding the operation of the city’s municipal court. Dan obtained dismissal of claims against the mayor, municipal court judge, city prosecutor and chief of police.
Dan defended a distributor of an aircraft maintenance device against plaintiff’s product defect and wrongful death claims based on an accident that resulted in the death of an aircraft mechanic.
Dan represented a franchisee of a nationwide fast-food restaurant in a slip and fall case wherein the plaintiff alleged she fell on water located in a restroom. Dan was successful in obtaining summary judgment for the restaurant based on its lack of notice and the open and obviousness of the water.
Dan was born in Fort Bragg, North Carolina and attended Wake Forest University before moving to Alabama to attend Cumberland School of Law. Dan is married to Jennie Pickett and is the proud father of a son and a daughter. Dan is an Assistant Scoutmaster at Troop 320 in Mountain Brook, Alabama and loves the outdoors. Dan serves as the Moderator and as a Deacon at Mountain Brook Baptist Church. In his free time, Dan enjoys playing golf and going to concerts.
Areas of Practice
Insurance Defense
Environmental Law / Litigation
State Bar Admissions
Alabama
Education
J.D., Magna Cum Laude, University of Alabama School of Law, 2022
B.A., Public Policy, Cum Laude, University of Mississippi, 2019
Ethan joined Friedman, Dazzio & Zulanas, P.C. as an Associate Attorney in 2022. He will maintain a general litigation practice consisting primarily of environmental litigation and insurance defense. Ethan is licensed to practice in Alabama and, through pro hac vice admission, represents clients in Georgia, South Carolina, and Mississippi.
Ethan earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Mississippi in 2019. Ethan graduated magna cum laude from The University of Alabama School of Law in 2022, where he was a member of the Bench and Bar Legal Honor Society.
During law school, Ethan served as Executive Editor of The Journal of the Legal Profession, where he also published his student note, A Downward Spiral: The Relationship Between Distrust and Regulation in the Legal Profession, 45 J. Legal Prof. 261 (2021). Ethan also worked as a student attorney in the law school’s Civil Law Clinic, where he helped secure a victory at the Alabama Supreme Court establishing the right to appeal concealed carry permit denials to circuit court.
Represented the City of Rome, Georgia in a case involving PFAS pollution in its drinking water caused by the largest chemical companies and carpet companies in the world, which settled on the eve of trial for $280 Million.
Areas of Practice
Transportation and Auto Liability
Construction
Personal Injury
Insurance Coverage
Products Liability
Alternative Dispute Resolution
State Bar Admissions
Alabama
Education
J.D., Cumberland School of Law, Samford University, 1995
B.A., University of Notre Dame, 1992
Chris Zulanas’ practice primarily involves litigation arising out of commercial trucking and transportation, commercial and residential construction, auto liability, insurance coverage, personal injury, and products liability. He also works with clients to minimize the potential for litigation through risk management measures and client-specific business practices. In over 30 years of practice, Mr. Zulanas has litigated and tried to verdict matters in more than a dozen counties in Alabama, its Northern and Middle District federal courts, and arbitration forums.
In addition to Alabama’s state courts, Mr. Zulanas is admitted to practice in Alabama’s three federal district courts and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Other areas of expertise include the negotiation and drafting of contracts, counsel regarding state and federal regulatory matters, coordination of rapid response teams following commercial vehicle accidents, the development of compliance programs, and counsel on employment and other business issues. He has extensive experience with alternatives to litigation, including mediation and arbitration, and can offer a wide array of creative options to resolve matters efficiently and effectively.
Tried over 50 cases in state and federal courts across Alabama.
Defended companies and insureds in all three federal court districts and the vast majority of state courts throughout Alabama.
Currently serves as Alabama panel counsel for Fortune 500 Companies, numerous general liability and automobile liability insurance carriers, and trucking companies.
Reported cases include Max Oil Co., Inc. v. Shell Oil Co., 945 F.Supp. 241, United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Northern Division (1996); Pescia v. Auburn Ford-Lincoln-Mercury, Inc., 177 F.R.D. 509, United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, Eastern Division (1997); Skilstaf, Inc. v. Adminitron, Inc., 66 F.Supp 2d 1210, United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, Eastern Division (1999); Pescia v. Auburn Ford-Lincoln-Mercury, Inc., 68 F.Supp 2d 1269, United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, Eastern Division (1999); Trawinski v. United Technologies Carrier Corp., 201 F. Supp 2d 1168, United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Southern Division (2002); Trawinski v. United Technologies Carrier Corp., 313 F.3d 1295, 11th Cir. Court of Appeals (2002); Betts v. Larsen Intermodal Services, Inc., 2006 WL 1748600, United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, Northern Division (2006); State Auto Property & Casualty Insurance Company v. Stillwell Masonry Company, Inc., 2006 WL 3802312, United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, Eastern Division (2006); Western Surety Company v. Bradford Electric Co., Inc., 483 F.Supp 2d 1114, United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Northeastern Division (2007); Driver v. W. E. Pegues, Inc., 2012 WL 3042939, United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Eastern Division (2012); Craft v. Triumph Logistics, Inc., 107 F. Supp. 3d 1218, United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama (2015); Stone v. State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company, 2017 WL 633081 (N.D. Ala., Feb. 16, 2017); Pickens v. Guy’s Logging Co., 2018 WL 3732686 (N.D. Ala., Aug. 6, 2018); Ex Parte CityR Eagle Landing, LLC, 2019 WL 1180630 (Ala. Oct. 25, 2019).
Chris is an active member in his community and he is the proud father of two great sons, Carter and Sam.
Areas of Practice
Civil Litigation
Environmental Law / Litigation
Premises Liability
State Bar Admissions
Alabama
Education
J.D., Cum Laude, Northern Kentucky University, Salmon P. Chase College of Law, 2022
B.S., Accounting, Cum Laude, University of Kentucky, 2019
Madison Lakes (formerly Gitschier) joined Friedman, Dazzio & Zulanas, P.C. as an Associate Attorney after she was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in the Fall of 2022. Her practice focuses mainly on litigation, environmental law, and premises liability. Madison is licensed to practice in Alabama and, through pro hac vice admission, represents clients in Georgia, South Carolina, and Mississippi.
Madison earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Cum Laude, with minors in International Business and Spanish at the University of Kentucky. Madison also studied abroad for a semester in Barcelona, Spain. She was a member of Pi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women, and participated in the University of Kentucky’s Club Lacrosse team, DanceBlue, and Co-Ed Intramural Flag Football.
Madison earned her Juris Doctor, Cum Laude, from Northern Kentucky’s Salmon P. Chase College of Law. In law school, Madison served as a Mentor to first- and second-year law students, was a member of Phi Alpha Delta Fraternity and the Legal Association of Women, and was a Barbri Student Representative. In the Summer of 2021, Madison participated in the Firm’s Summer Law Clerk Program. In her third year of law school, she served as a Teaching Assistant for the first-year torts classes.
Madison recently married and has transitioned her professional name from Madison Gitschier to Madison Lakes. Any correspondence from ‘Madison Lakes’ comes from the same attorney clients and counsel have known and worked with previously.
Madison was raised in Louisville, Kentucky. Although she attended the University of Kentucky, she remains a Louisville Cardinals and Georgia Bulldogs fan. Madison and her husband, Bronson, live in Birmingham with their two pugs. She enjoys working out, watching football, traveling, and playing any type of games with her husband, family, and friends.
Represented the City of Rome, Georgia in a case involving PFAS pollution in its drinking water caused by the largest chemical companies and carpet companies in the world, which settled on the eve of trial for $280 Million.
Represented property owners in south Georgia in a case involving benzene contamination against one of the largest specialty chemicals companies in the United States.
Represented former Chief Operating Officer of a well-known beverage company for breach of promise to provide equity in the company.
Areas of Practice
Real Estate
State Bar Admissions
Alabama
Education
J. D., University of Alabama School of Law, 1987
B.A., Tulane University, 1983
Robert represents parties in commercial real estate transactions, including all aspects related to the closing of purchases and sales of real property, land acquisition and development, re-development of improved property, re-financing of commercial loans secured by real property, and the negotiation and drafting of leases. Robert’s real estate practice includes the representation of property owners in commercial landlord/tenant matters and the litigation of quiet title actions.
Robert represents and defends companies in product liability, toxic tort and general civil liability case. During the course of his 28 year career as a defense litigator, Robert has successfully tried many cases for clients and has won several appeals.
He is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Alabama and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Robert and his wife, Katherine Alice, are Birmingham natives and have three children, Theresa, Mary Evelyn and Marguerite.
Areas of Practice
Insurance Defense
Insurance Coverage
Construction
Medical Malpractice Defense
Transportation and Auto Liability
Worker’s Compensation
Premises Liability
State Bar Admissions
Alabama
Mississippi
Education
J.D., University of Alabama School of Law, 2018
B.A., University of Mississippi, Public Policy Leadership, 2018
Kelsey maintains a general litigation practice representing individuals and businesses in an array of civil matters. Her practice largely involves medical malpractice defense, insurance coverage, and construction related matters. Kelsey earned her Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, from the University of Mississippi, where she was a member of the Honors College and Lott Leadership Institute. She also studied abroad at The University of Edinburgh while working as an intern to The Scottish Parliament. Kelsey then returned to her home state of Alabama to attend law school at The University of Alabama, where she graduated in 2018. While in law school, Kelsey was a Senior Editor of The Journal of the Legal Profession and earned a Best Paper award in Health Care Law. She also worked as a student attorney in The University of Alabama’s Elder Law Clinic.
Rated by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in the Mid South for Construction Litigation (2022 – 2025)
Areas of Practice
Civil Litigation
Products Liability
Transportation
Liquor Liability
Construction
Premises Liability
Insurance Coverage
Insurance Defense
Blasting and Explosives Litigation
Mining and Quarry Litigation
Alternative Dispute Resolution
State Bar Admissions
Alabama
Education
J.D., University of Alabama School of Law, 1998
B.A., Vanderbilt University, 1995
Jess Boone is a shareholder in the firm and has a civil litigation practice. He handles a variety of matters, including motor carrier liability, liquor liability, contractual disputes, construction claims, products liability and insurance coverage. Jess regularly defends trucking companies and drivers, product distributors, manufacturers and alcohol vendors in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits.
Additionally, Jess represents surface mining companies, quarry operators, explosives manufacturers and blasting contractors. He defends these companies in litigation matters and advises them on risk management practices, operational liability and regulatory compliance.
In his insurance practice, Jess counsels insurance companies regarding coverage matters, claims handling procedures and contractual obligations. He focuses on defending insurance companies in bad faith and coverage litigation, as well as prosecuting declaratory judgment actions and subrogation recoveries. He has experience with many insurance products, including commercial, personal, property, life and health insurance policies.
He is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Alabama, as well as the United States District Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Jess is also a registered mediator with the Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution.
Obtained summary judgment in favor of a commercial automobile liability insurer in a coverage dispute involving whether the insurer had to defend or indemnify its insured, an interstate motor carrier, for catastrophic personal injury claims asserted by the company’s driver. Lancer Ins. Co. v. Newman Specialized Carriers, Inc., 903 F.Supp. 2d 1272 (N.D. Ala. 2012).
Obtained summary judgment for a manufacturer in a premises liability case where an employee of an independent contractor was severely injured after falling from a suspended ceiling at the manufacturer’s plant. Calloway v. PPG Industries, Inc., 155 Fed. Appx. 450, 2005 WL 3087890, C.A. 11 (Ala.), November 18, 2005 (No. 05 10782).
Successfully transferred a personal injury liquor liability lawsuit out of a plaintiff-friendly county under the infrequently used “interest of justice” prong of Alabama’s forum non conveniens statute, resulting in an Alabama Supreme Court opinion giving defendants an effective means to defeat forum shopping. Ex parte McKenzie Oil Co., Inc., 13 So. 2d 346 (Ala. 2008).
Obtained summary judgment in a wrongful death lawsuit for a “Good Samaritan” who attempted to push a driver’s stalled vehicle off the road before a collision that resulted in the death of a passenger in an oncoming vehicle.
Obtained summary judgment for a surface mining company and its blasting contractor in a multi-plaintiff nuisance and property damage lawsuit involving whether mining operations and blasting vibrations affected or damaged houses surrounding the mine site.
Obtained an arbitration award in favor of a car dealership in a breach of warranty claim involving a new car that had been serviced on multiple occasions totaling 64 days.
Obtained an award in favor of a commercial plumbing contractor in a hotel construction defect arbitration that lasted 17 days where the claimant sought recovery of more than $600,000 for alleged plumbing deficiencies.
Obtained summary judgment in a $5,000,000 bad faith, breach of contract and fraud lawsuit arising out of an underinsured motorist (UIM) claim where the settlement was not consummated due to a dispute about the handling of a Medicare lien. Stone v. State Automobile Mut. Ins. Co., 5:16-cv-00381-AKK, 2017 WL 633081 (N.D. Ala. Feb. 15, 2017).
Prevailed in a breach of contract and declaratory judgment action arising out of a wrongful death claim where a national manufacturer attempted to enforce a defense and indemnity agreement against an Alabama contractor.
Prevented three plaintiffs from pursuing wantonness, entrustment and training claims against a trucking company and its driver in a personal injury lawsuit. Craft v. Triumph Logistics, Inc., No. 2:14-cv-93-MHT, 2015 WL 1565003 (M.D. Ala. April 8, 2015).
Co-counsel for defendant water remediation company in a nine day trial resulting in a defense verdict where the plaintiff claimed that the company failed to properly dry out her home following a water heater leak, caused her to develop reactive airway disease and prevented her from living in her home for more than 2.5 years after the leak. Johnson v. Mimsco, Inc., No. 01-cv-2013-904007, Circuit Court of Jefferson County, Alabama.
Jess has lived in several states and lived in Brussels, Belgium for nearly a decade, but calls Birmingham home. Both he and his wife are Alabamians and lawyers.
Areas of Practice
Civil Litigation
Mass Torts
Fiduciary Duty
Commercial Litigation
Insurance Coverage
State Bar Admissions
Alabama
Tennessee
Education
J.D., University of Alabama School of Law
B.A., Washington & Lee University
Joe Kerr’s practice is devoted to civil litigation, with an emphasis on mass torts, fiduciary duty, and commercial litigation. He frequently counsels clients on matters arising out of the mining and quarrying industry. Specifically, his practice often concerns controversies related to contract disputes, nuisance cases, mineral rights, product liability, and ownership disputes.
On matters of insurance coverage, Mr. Kerr is experienced in providing coverage opinions to the firm’s insurance clients and he has obtained numerous summary judgments in defending claims of bad faith. Mr. Kerr has also successfully prosecuted bad faith claims on behalf of corporate clients who are involved in coverage disputes.
As a part of the firm’s appellate practice, Mr. Kerr has litigated issues before the Alabama Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court of Alabama, and the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. As part of the firm’s arbitration practice, he has arbitrated matters in both Alabama and Georgia.
Before law school, Mr. Kerr worked as a registered representative in the Private Client Groups of Merrill Lynch and CIBC Oppenheimer in New York City. These prior experiences have proven valuable in assisting the firm’s clients with both prosecuting and defending business torts and other matters related to commercial litigation.
Raised in Florida, Mr. Kerr is a class of 1999 graduate of Washington & Lee University. He lives in Birmingham with his wife Ashley, a non-profit consultant who focuses on affordable housing initiatives.
Co-Lead Counsel in obtaining a seven-figure arbitration award for a Tennessee corporation, with an additional award of all attorneys fees and expenses, in a matter against a large multi-national corporation in front of the American Arbitration Association in Atlanta, Georgia.
Co-lead counsel in a certified class action based on derivative clams for breach of fiduciary duty.
Co-lead counsel in successfully defending a jury trial involving a seven-figure breach of contract dispute on behalf of a large, multi-national corporation.
Successfully defeated a claim to enjoin the operation of a rock quarry and cement plant on behalf of a foreign corporation.
Has both prosecuted and defended wrongful death claims in multiple counties across Alabama.
Has successfully obtained numerous summary judgment dismissals in defending claims for bad faith against insurers.
Has successfully resolved bad faith claims arising out of Commercial Liability Policies on behalf of corporate insureds.
Has successfully appealed cases involving personal injury, commercial disputes, and workers’ compensation.
Has successfully recovered settlements totaling eight-figures during the last two years on behalf of businesses and families both inside and outside of Alabama.
Successfully had a jury award reversed and remanded by the Alabama Supreme Court on the basis of contributory negligence as a matter of law.
