Zach Pekelis is a partner with Pacifica Law Group in Seattle whose practice focuses on constitutional litigation. Zach is one of Washington State’s leaders in defending government officials and entities against legal challenges to COVID-19 emergency public health measures. He is also one of the Pacific Northwest’s most experienced legal advocates supporting gun violence prevention laws, successfully defending restrictions on assault weapons, large-capacity magazines, and other measures against constitutional challenges.
Zach began his career with a federal appellate clerkship, then joined an international law firm before becoming a trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, where he litigated voting rights cases. Zach later served as a Washington State assistant attorney general, representing the State in cases against the Trump administration, and leading the team defending the State’s emergency response to COVID-19.
A former history teacher, Zach is a graduate of Yale College and Yale Law School.