G. Zachary Terwilliger
2200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Suite 500 West
Washington, D.C. 20037
Zachary (“Zach”) Terwilliger, a highly ranked Chambers white collar practitioner, is the former Senate confirmed United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, has both extensive experience in the trenches of all manner of complex investigations at the Department of Justice as well as in the private sector. Those frontline skills combine with his mastery of strategy, problem solving, and crisis management—skills honed by prosecuting multi-national complex cases and then serving in the highest levels of the Department of Justice and leading one of the most prominent U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the country. Over the past years in private practice, Zach has rapidly advanced from a former government official to serving as go-to counsel on a series of complex and high profile representations. His matters, which involve top corporate clients as well as C suite executives and other prominent officials, have been recognized by his peers and the market, where after just four years in private practice Zach has been recognized as part of the Global Investigations Review 100, The Best Lawyers in America for False Claims Act, and as part of The 500 Leading Litigators in America and The 500 Leading Cybersecurity Lawyers in the World by Lawdragon, as well as the previously mentioned Chambers USA, where he is now ranked with those who are a decade or more his senior.
Zach rounds out his extensive executive branch and private practice Washington experience by having served as Associate Deputy Attorney General and Chief of Staff to the Deputy Attorney General, whose office manages the entire Department of Justice and its various agencies, and as counsel to the Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Further, in a testament to his professionalism, Zach was the sole and unanimous recommendation of Virginia’s two Democratic Senators to serve as U.S. Attorney. Following this recommendation, the President’s nomination, and confirmation by the entire U.S. Senate, Zach was sworn in as the then-youngest U.S. Attorney in the country.
Zach’s knowledge of how the Justice Department and federal enforcement agencies function in both civil and criminal matters, particularly in regards to discretionary decision making, provides him with unique insights necessary to effectively assist companies and individuals facing federal enforcement matters, including allegations of domestic and international criminal and civil violations. Zach is skilled in navigating internal and government investigations for everything from Fortune 50 companies to privately held startups, complex criminal grand jury investigations, multi-stage False Claims Act cases arising from both whistleblowers and inspector generals, criminal antitrust matters, and Congressional inquiries and select committee investigations, among other complex white collar issues. As part of the Chambers ranking research, Zach is accurately described by clients as “a go-to person for white-collar matters and complicated government investigations. He is very skilled and intelligent and will control the facts. He is talented, knowledgeable and efficient.” (Chambers USA 2023 – client quote).
Experience Highlights
Counseled major public company through ransomware attack to include crisis counseling, technical containment, and myriad of legal issues
Representing a Silicon Valley-based technology company in internal and governmental investigations both domestically and in Asia
Representing high-profile former government principals before Congressional Committees and the Department of Justice
Representing an association with a membership that exceeds 300,000 in response to government inquiry
Representing a publicly traded financial services company in connection with Department of Justice grand jury investigation
Representing a major university system in connection with an investigation by Congress and a state legislature
Representing C-Suite individuals in an ongoing DOJ and internal investigation probe
Representing a large corporate entity in connection with Department of Justice False Claims Act investigation
Crisis counseling and representing a large government contractor regarding employee misconduct and theft of intellectual property
Serving as deputy to court appointed monitor in five-year monitorship following shareholder suit settlement
Representing primary collective for Division I Football Program in NCAA Name, Image, and Likeness “NIL” Investigation
Representing a corporate entity in DOJ FCPA investigation
Representing a corporate entity before state Attorneys General as it pertains to allegations of violation of consumer protection statutes
(E.D. Va.) – Led investigation and prosecution of nationwide fraud where the defendants deceived struggling homeowners through false representations regarding the U.S. Government’s Troubled Asset Relief Program via the Home Affordable Modification Program (“HAMP”). In partnership with the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program, the individuals were convicted
(E.D. Va.) – Led investigation and prosecution of insurance fraud and arson whereby a major commercial building was damaged by fire to conceal other crimes. The case involved multiple experts, complex science, and forensic accounting. Ultimately, the defendant was convicted at trial
(E.D. Va.) – Led investigation of public official who was misusing his office to benefit another in exchange for gifts, access, and other illicit benefits. The defendant was convicted
(E.D. Va.) – Led investigation of racketeering case involving organized crime with multiple defendants who were engaged in extortion, human trafficking, violence, and drug trafficking. The defendants were ultimately convicted at trial
(E.D. Va.) – Supervised multiple corporate resolutions involving hundreds of millions of dollars. These cases involved close coordination with outside counsel, the Department of Justice Fraud Section, and Criminal Division leadership
(E.D. Va.) – Led entire U.S. delegation for presidential level meetings with the Government of Colombia. Responsible for addressing and briefing the Colombian President and his cabinet at the presidential palace regarding the U.S. commitment and strategy to combat narco-terrorism. In addition, participated as the sole U.S. representative in nationally broadcast presidential address from dual podiums with the Colombian President to reassure the citizens of Colombia regarding our commitment to jointly fighting narco-terrorism and corruption
Credentials
- William & Mary School of Law, J.D., 2007 (Order of the Coif)
- University of Virginia, B.A., 2003
- United States Attorney, United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, June 2018 – Jan. 2021
- Associate Deputy Attorney General & Chief of Staff, United States Department of Justice, Office of the Deputy Attorney General, Jan. 2017 – May 2018
- Assistant United States Attorney, United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, Sep. 2008 – Jan. 2017
- Counselor to the United States Attorney, United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, Apr. 2013 – Nov. 2013
- Majority Counsel (Assistant United States Attorney, Detail), United States Senate Judiciary Committee, Office of the Chairman, Sep. 2015 – Sep. 2016
- Adjunct Professor, Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University, 2015 – Jan. 2018
- Law Clerk to Chief Judge K. Michael Moore, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, 2007 – Sep. 2008
- Chambers USA, Litigation: White Collar Crime & Government Investigations (District of Columbia), 2023 and 2024
- The Legal 500 Latin America, Compliance and Investigations, 2023–2025
- The Legal 500 U.S., Dispute Resolution: Corporate Investigations & White-Collar Criminal Defense, 2022–2024; Government: Government Relations, 2022; Antitrust: Merger Control, 2023; Sport, 2024
- Selected to the 500 Leading Litigators in America, Lawdragon, 2023–2025
- Selected to the 500 Leading Cybersecurity Lawyers in the World, Lawdragon, 2024
- The Best Lawyers in America© (BL Rankings, LLC), Qui Tam Law (Washington), 2024 and 2025
- Global Investigations Review (GIR) 100, 2023
- Global Investigations Review (GIR) 30, 2024
- JD Supra, Top Author in White-Collar Defense, Reader’s Choice Awards, 2022
- ATF Director’s Award for Leadership, 2020
- National Law Journal’s 40 Under 40: D.C. Rising Star, 2019
- Alexandria Chamber of Commerce’s 40 Under 40 Award, 2019
- Council of Inspectors General Award for Prosecution, 2018
- ATF Financial Services Division Highest Award: “Glass Gavel,” 2015
- Member and Former Executive Board Member: Northern Virginia Federal Bar Association
- Member: Edward Bennett Williams White Collar Inn of Court
- Virginia
- District of Columbia
- InsightNovember 27, 2024
- InsightNovember 22, 2024
V&E Government Contracts Update
- InsightNovember 19, 2024
Published by Thomson Reuters/Westlaw Today Dec. 9, 2024
- Event RecapNovember 19, 2024
- Rankings & AwardsNovember 18, 2024
- Rankings & AwardsOctober 24, 2024
- InsightOctober 17, 2024
Published by Texas Lawbook on October 31, 2024
- Deals & CasesSeptember 16, 2024
- Rankings & AwardsSeptember 12, 2024
- Deals & CasesAugust 6, 2024
- InsightJune 28, 2024
V&E SEC Update
- Rankings & AwardsJune 12, 2024
- Rankings & AwardsJune 6, 2024
- InsightJune 3, 2024
- InsightApril 10, 2024
- InsightJanuary 30, 2024
- Rankings & AwardsOctober 31, 2023
- Rankings & AwardsSeptember 11, 2023
- Rankings & AwardsAugust 21, 2023
- InsightJune 29, 2023
- InsightJune 22, 2023
V&E Tax Update
- Rankings & AwardsJune 12, 2023
- Rankings & AwardsJune 1, 2023
- Deals & CasesFebruary 14, 2023
- InsightFebruary 13, 2023
- InsightFebruary 1, 2023
- InsightJanuary 27, 2023
- InsightDecember 8, 2022
V&E Antitrust Update
- InsightNovember 17, 2022
- InsightNovember 8, 2022
V&E Antitrust Update
- InsightOctober 20, 2022
- Rankings & AwardsOctober 19, 2022
- Rankings & AwardsOctober 4, 2022
- InsightSeptember 26, 2022
Published by Law360 on October 3, 2022
- Deals & CasesJune 17, 2022
- Rankings & AwardsJune 16, 2022
- InsightJune 13, 2022
- InsightJune 1, 2022
- InsightMay 26, 2022
- InsightMay 3, 2022
Published by The National Law Journal
- InsightApril 28, 2022
- InsightApril 21, 2022
- InsightApril 19, 2022
V&E Antitrust Update
- InsightApril 11, 2022
V&E Antitrust Update
- Event RecapApril 8, 2022
- InsightMarch 7, 2022
Published by National Law Journal
- InsightMarch 1, 2022
- InsightFebruary 21, 2022
- Zach Terwilliger Joins Top Government Alums to Discuss the Future of FCPA Compliance and EnforcementEvent RecapJanuary 26, 2022
- InsightJanuary 25, 2022
Published by Financier Worldwide Magazine, February 2022
- InsightNovember 5, 2021
Originally Published June 29, 2021
- Press ReleaseJanuary 19, 2021
- Call Your Next Witness: Moving Toward a More Efficient and Equitable Criminal Investigation Process, Published in National Law Journal, August 21, 2023 (author)
- Gang-Controlled Sex Trafficking, 3 Va. J. of Crim. L. 342 (2015) (co-author with Michael J. Frank)
- Utilizing all Available Tools to Safeguard COVID-19 Relief Funds, Published in National Law Journal, June 18, 2020 (author)
- Protecting the rule of law during the pandemic, Published in Richmond Times-Dispatch, Mar. 30, 2020 (author)
- No Free Lunch: How to Chart Your Course to Success as a Government Lawyer, Published in National Law Journal, Feb. 24, 2020 (author)
- Opioid Crisis Demands Full-Court-Press, Published in The Virginian-Pilot, Mar. 24, 2019 (author)
- Conversation with G. Zachary Terwilliger, 2020 Crowell & Moring Ounce of Prevention Seminar (Featured Speaker) (Oct. 2020)
- Understand DOJ’s Procurement Collusion Strike Force and Avoid Being a Target, Association of Corporate Counsel (Featured Speaker) (Oct. 2020)
- Special Panel with U.S. Attorneys Craig Carpenito (NJ), G. Zachary Terwilliger (EDVA), and Richard Donoghue (EDNY), American Conference Institute: 22nd New York Conference-Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (Panelist) (July 2020)
- Ethics at Risk in High Profile White Collar Cases, 34th Annual ABA White Collar Crime Institute (Panelist) (June 2020)
- Procurement Collusion Strikeforce Seminar, Professional Services Council Foundation (Featured Speaker) (Jan. 2020)
- Discussion on Government Contracts and DOJ Enforcement Trends, Crowell & Moring (Featured Speaker) (Dec. 2019)
- U.S. Attorney’s Perspective on Federal Criminal Prosecution of Financial Fraud, Annual Securities Commodities Fraud Working Group Conference (Panelist) (Dec. 2019)
- Plea Bargaining in White Collar Cases, Edward Bennett Williams, White Collar Inn of Court (Featured Speaker) (Nov. 2019)
- Fireside Chat with G. Zachary Terwilliger, National Security Institute & American Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and National Security (Sep. 2019)
- Current Trends in White Collar Criminal Enforcement, American Bar Association Annual Conference (Panelist) (Aug. 2018)
- Navigating Parallel Federal, State, and Congressional White Collar Investigations, The 32nd Annual National Institute on White Collar Crime (Panelist) (Mar. 2018)