Jennifer represents clients in a wide range of complex business disputes, including numerous class action cases and LLC ownership disputes. She thrives in cases that involve complicated legal theories. She has extensive experience representing clients before the North Carolina Business Court and in federal district court.

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Jennifer has defended numerous class actions in a wide range of business-related cases. Her experience includes class action suits related to health care, insurance, antitrust and securities.

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Jennifer has been widely recognized by her clients and peers for her success in antitrust litigation, and has been included in The Best Lawyers in America© and Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business for her work in this area. Jennifer’s antitrust litigation practice includes representation of various industries, such as health care and textiles.

The 2017 Chambers USA guide comments that Jennifer is "'a thoughtful litigator' who is held in high regard for her notable antitrust expertise."

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Jennifer represents a variety of health care related organizations in various business disputes. Her experience includes representing health care insurance companies in disputes with providers and participants, and representing a continuing care retirement community in a dispute over enforceability of covenants. She also represents a network of chiropractors in disputes brought by former network participants.

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Selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in Litigation—Securities (Greensboro "Lawyer of the Year" 2014 & 2020), Antitrust Litigation (Greensboro "Lawyer of the Year" 2015, 2018 & 2021), Bet-the-Company Litigation (Greensboro "Lawyer of the Year" 2017), Banking and Finance Litigation, Commercial Litigation (2007-2021) and Antitrust Law (2021)

Named one of North Carolina Lawyer's Weekly "Women of Justice" (2019)

Recognized in North Carolina Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters) in Business Litigation (2010-2021); Top 50 Women Lawyers (2012-2021); Top 100 (2012, 2014-2019, 2021); “Rising Star” (2009)

Named one of Triad Business Journal's "Outstanding Women in Business" (2016)

Recognized in Super Lawyers Business Edition for Business Litigation (2015)

Recognized by Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business for Antitrust Litigation (2008-2020)

Recognized by her peers for inclusion in Business North Carolina's "Legal Elite" in Antitrust Law (2010), Litigation (2018, 2020-2021), Appellate (2021) and Young Guns (2008); also permanently recognized in the "Legal Elite Hall of Fame" for Antitrust Law

Recognized in Benchmark Litigation as a “Rising Star” (2011-2014), a "Future Star" (2015, 2017), a "Local Litigation Star" in Competition/Antitrust (2017-2021) and Top 250 Women in Litigation (2015-2020)

Member, North Carolina State Board of Certified Public Accountant Examiners (2019-present)

Chair, Antitrust and Trade Regulation Section, North Carolina Bar Association (2010-2011)

Permanent Member, Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference

Adjunct Law Professor, Trial Practice, Elon Law School (Spring 2008)

Chair, North Carolina Business Court Rules Committee

Member, Litigation and Antitrust Sections, North Carolina Bar Association

Member, Antitrust Section, American Bar Association

Member, Board of Directors, BackPack Beginnings (2012-present)

Member, Board of Directors, Joseph Branch Inn of Court (2014-present)

Member, Board of Directors, Presbyterian Counseling Center (2014)

Member, Session, Westminster Presbyterian Church (2013)

"The Perils and Pitfalls of E-Discovery," Speaker, North Carolina Bar Association Annual Meeting, 2007 

"How Do I Practice Before the Business Court: A How-To-Guide," Article in Antitrust and Trade Regulation Section newsletter, North Carolina Bar Association, June 2007 

"Complex Litigation in the North Carolina Business Court," Speaker, North Carolina Business Court, May 2007 

"Students, Employees, Records and Technology: The Diverse Practice of Education Law," Speaker, North Carolina Bar Association, May 2006

"Changes at North Carolina Business Court," March 2006

As a partner at Brooks Pierce and a mom of three very active kids, I am always thinking and I am always solving problems. I think that being a mom makes me a better lawyer. I have a “get it done” approach – I am there when my clients need me and I am there when my family needs me.
 
When it comes to my practice, I thrive in cases that involve complicated legal theories. I work to understand deeply my clients’ problems and to find unique solutions that others may not find. Outside of Brooks Pierce, I am an avid runner and enjoy running with friends all over Greensboro. I serve on the board of directors for the Presbyterian Counseling Center, BackPack Beginnings, and the Joseph Branch Inn of Court, and am very active at church and at my kids’ school.

If you compare a canoe to a dispute, with litigation on one side and resolution on the other side, I know where and when to paddle. If you only paddle on the resolution side or the litigation side, you are just going in circles. I help clients move straight ahead.

Recent Publications & Media

Speaking Engagements

January 18, 2016

Van Zant to present at 2016 Corporate Counsel Section Annual Meeting

Brooks Pierce Partner Jennifer Van Zant will appear on the program of the 2016 Corporate Counsel Section Annual Meeting at the North Carolina Bar Center in Cary on Friday, January 29, 2016. Van Zant will present "Recent Court Developments Impacting North Carolina Businesses." Her talk includes a...Read more

Recognitions

Thirty Brooks Pierce attorneys have been recognized in the 2021 edition of North Carolina Super...(read more)
Twenty-six Brooks Pierce attorneys have been recognized by their peers for inclusion in the 2021...(read more)
Brooks Pierce has been named a “Highly Recommended” law firm for general litigation and “...(read more)
The 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in America © recognized 73 Brooks Pierce attorneys as industry...(read more)
Eight Brooks Pierce practice areas and 18 of the firm’s attorneys are ranked among the best in...(read more)
Thirty-four Brooks Pierce attorneys have been recognized in the 2020 edition of North Carolina...(read more)
Twenty-one Brooks Pierce attorneys have been recognized by their peers for inclusion in the 2020...(read more)
Brooks Pierce has been named a “Highly Recommended” law firm for general litigation and “...(read more)
The 2020 edition of The Best Lawyers in America © recognized 55 Brooks Pierce attorneys as industry...(read more)
Nine Brooks Pierce practice areas and 18 of the firm’s attorneys are ranked among the best in North...(read more)
Forty-four Brooks Pierce attorneys have been recognized in the 2019 edition of North Carolina Super...(read more)
Brooks Pierce has been named a “Highly Recommended” law firm for general litigation and “...(read more)
The 2019 edition of The Best Lawyers in America © recognized 55 Brooks Pierce attorneys as industry...(read more)
Seven Brooks Pierce practice areas and 21 of the firm’s attorneys are ranked among the best in...(read more)
Thirty-eight Brooks Pierce attorneys have been recognized in the 2018 edition of North Carolina...(read more)
Twenty-five Brooks Pierce attorneys have been recognized by their peers for inclusion in the 2018...(read more)
Brooks Pierce has been named a “Highly Recommended” law firm in North Carolina in the 2018 edition...(read more)
The 2018 edition of The Best Lawyers in America © recognized 54 Brooks Pierce attorneys as industry...(read more)
Brooks Pierce partner Jennifer Van Zant was recognized by Benchmark Litigation in its sixth edition...(read more)
Thirty-eight Brooks Pierce attorneys have been recognized in the 2017 edition of North Carolina...(read more)
Thirteen Brooks Pierce attorneys have been recognized by their peers for inclusion in the 2017...(read more)
Brooks Pierce has been named a “Highly Recommended” law firm in North Carolina in the 2017 edition...(read more)
The 2017 edition of The Best Lawyers in America © recognized 50 Brooks Pierce attorneys as industry...(read more)
17 attorneys and six practice areas are recognized in the 2016 law firm guide Six Brooks Pierce...(read more)
Benchmark Litigation, a trusted independent research organization, named Brooks Pierce the 2016 "...(read more)
Thirty-six Brooks Pierce attorneys have been recognized in the 2016 edition of North Carolina Super...(read more)
Thirteen Brooks Pierce attorneys have been recognized by their peers for inclusion in the 2016...(read more)
Brooks Pierce has been named a “ Highly Recommended ” law firm in North Carolina in the 2016...(read more)
Brooks Pierce is pleased to announce that 26 of the firm’s attorneys have been named to the 2015...(read more)
The 2016 edition of The Best Lawyers in America © recognized 48 Brooks Pierce attorneys as industry...(read more)
Jennifer Van Zant has been recognized in the 2015 Benchmark Litigation’s Top 250 Women in...(read more)
13 attorneys and six practice areas are recognized in the 2015 law firm guide (Greensboro, N.C.)...(read more)
Thirty-six Brooks Pierce attorneys have been recognized in the 2015 edition of North Carolina Super...(read more)
Sixteen Brooks Pierce attorneys have been recognized by their peers for inclusion in the 2015...(read more)
Brooks Pierce is pleased to announce that 27 of the firm’s attorneys have been named to the 2014...(read more)
Brooks Pierce has been named a “Highly Recommended” law firm in North Carolina in the 2015 edition...(read more)
The 2015 edition of The Best Lawyers in America© recognized 46 Brooks Pierce attorneys as industry...(read more)
Seven Brooks Pierce practice areas and 14 of the firm’s attorneys are ranked among the best in...(read more)
Business North Carolina magazine publishes annually the “Legal Elite,” lawyers throughout the state...(read more)
Brooks Pierce is pleased to announce that 39 lawyers, representing 46% of the firm’s attorneys,...(read more)
Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP is pleased to announce that 46 lawyers were...(read more)
Brooks Pierce is ranked among the best law firms in North Carolina in the 2013 edition of Chambers...(read more)
Business North Carolina magazine publishes annually the "Legal Elite," lawyers throughout the state...(read more)
Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP is pleased to announce that 45 lawyers,...(read more)
Brooks Pierce is ranked among the best law firms in North Carolina in the 2012 edition of Chambers...(read more)
Brooks Pierce is pleased to announce that 38 lawyers, representing 43% of the firm’s attorneys,...(read more)
Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP is pleased to announce that 34 lawyers,...(read more)
Brooks Pierce is ranked among the best law firms in North Carolina in the 2011 edition of Chambers...(read more)
Business North Carolina Business North Carolina magazine publishes annually the " Legal Elite " -...(read more)
The Best Lawyers in America Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP is pleased to...(read more)
Business North Carolina magazine publishes annually the "Legal Elite" - lawyers throughout the...(read more)
Brooks Pierce is ranked among the best law firms in North Carolina in the 2009 edition of Chambers...(read more)
Three attorneys recognized in "Top 100" North Carolina Super Lawyers Brooks Pierce is pleased to...(read more)

Recent Publications & Media

Silver Trophy

Jennifer Van Zant Named to Legal Elite Hall of Fame

Firm News
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January 5, 2010
In 2010, Jennifer K. Van Zant attained the highest number of votes in Antitrust Law, earning her a spot in the Business North Carolina Legal Elite Hall of Fame. For the 2010 edition, Business North Carolina asked the top lawyer in each field what...(read more)

Van Zant Receives 40 Under Forty Award

Firm News
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February 27, 2009
Brooks Pierce partner Jennifer Van Zant was recognized by the Triad Business Journal as one of the area's 40 Leaders Under Forty at an award reception on February 26 and in a special publication on February 27. The Triad Business Journal solicited...(read more)