Gunster Attorney Monique Zapata

Overview

Monique Zapata is a business litigation and government investigations attorney in Gunster’s Fort Lauderdale office. Having served as a federal law clerk for the Honorable Rodolfo A. Ruiz II in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Monique offers her clients a unique and informed perspective on federal court practice. Prior to clerking, Monique practiced at a Vault 100 law firm where she represented clients in complex, high-stakes litigation—including class actions lawsuits, federal and multi-state government enforcement actions, and shareholder disputes. Monique has also maintained an active pro bono practice and has represented survivors of human trafficking in expunging criminal records in Florida. As part of this pro bono work, Monique has sat on the South Florida Human Trafficking Task Force and the Broward Human Trafficking Coalition.

Monique attended the Duke University School of Law as a recipient of the full-tuition merit-based Mordecai Scholarship. Upon graduating from Duke Law cum laude, Monique returned to practice law in her beloved home of South Florida. Monique is an active member of the Wilkie D. Ferguson Bar Association and the Federal Bar Association.

Experience

  • Defended a publicly traded company against a coordinated multi-state government investigation
  • Represented a major credit bureau in a nationwide class action lawsuit
  • Represented a major telecommunications company in a Federal Trade Commission enforcement action

Involvement

Professional Associations & Memberships

  • Wilkie D. Ferguson Bar Association, 2021-present
  • Federal Bar Association, 2024-present

Civic & Community Service

  • South Florida Human Trafficking Task Force, 2020-23
  • Broward Human Trafficking Coalition, 2020-23

Education

  • Duke University School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2020
  • Florida State University, B.S., summa cum laude, 2017

Admissions

  • Southern District of Florida, 2021
  • Middle District of Florida, 2021
  • Northern District of Florida, 2021

Clerkships

  • Honorable Rodolfo A. Ruiz II, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, 2023-24

News & Insights

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