Title: Partner
Company: Vinson & Elkins
Location: Washington, D.C., United States
G. Zachary Terwilliger, partner at Vinson & Elkins, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Lawyers for dedication, achievements, and leadership in legal services.
With nearly two decades of experience, Mr. Terwilliger has built a successful career in legal services, specializing in criminal law, investigations, prosecutions, civil enforcement, white-collar criminal defense, and crisis response. Since 2021, he has excelled as a partner at Vinson & Elkins in Washington. In this role, he provides counseling to clients, representing C-suite executives and corporations. He assists these entities in resolving internal issues by conducting fact-finding, developing remediation plans, and helping them navigate criminal investigations or civil enforcement processes. He also communicates with enforcement attorneys and collaborates with co-counsels at other law firms when clients share a common interest or are involved in the same investigation. His previous also includes serving as the United States Attorney at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia from 2018 to 2021, Assistant United States Attorney from 2016 to 2018, and Associate Deputy Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice from 2017 to 2018. He also served as an adjunct professor at George Washington University from 2015 to 2018.
Mr. Terwilliger also served as counsel at the Senate Judiciary Committee from 2015 to 2016 and as assistant United States attorney at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia from 2008 to 2015. Prior to that, he was counsel to the U.S. attorney at the United States Attorney’s Office and law clerk at the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida from 2007 to 2008. Earlier in his career, he worked as a teaching assistant at William & Mary School of Law from 2006 to 2007, summer associate at Hogan & Hartson, now Hogan Lovells, in 2006, honors paralegal at the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division from 2003 to 2004, and paralegal at White & Case in Washington DC in 2001. He holds memberships with the Federal Bar Association, the Federalist Society, Edward Bennett Williams American Inn of Court, and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. He also volunteers with the Legal Affinity Group and serves on the alumni board at St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School. He is affiliated with the University of Virginia and William & Mary Law School. In light of his impressive undertakings, he was honored with the Professionalism Award and the Family Law Award from William & Mary Law School.
Mr. Terwilliger laid a solid educational foundation, earning a Bachelor of Arts in government and foreign affairs, with a focus on government and history, from the University of Virginia in 2003, and a Juris Doctor from William & Mary Law School, graduating with highest honors in 2007. Reflecting on his journey, one of his most significant accomplishments was his appointment as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia—a role he earned at a young age with the approval of the president and two senators, an exceptional achievement in his career. He attributes his success to his supportive wife and family, strong work ethic, determination, faith, and his approach of treating every job as important while making the most of every opportunity. In the coming years, he aims to expand and establish a top-tier white-collar practice in Washington DC. He also intends to continue honing his skills and remains open to the possibility of serving his country again through public service.
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