Zachary Lee is an attorney in the Washington, D.C. office where he helps clients navigate a range of federal regulatory and compliance issues, drawing on his experience serving in multiple federal agencies including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of the Navy and the Department of Justice.

Prior to joining Kelley Drye, Zachary served as an attorney advisor for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, where he handled suspension and debarment actions on behalf of the EPA. In this role, Zachary was responsible for case strategy and execution, including opening and closing arguments, direct- and cross-examination of witnesses, depositions, presentation of evidence, drafting written responses, and making recommendations to agency officials.

Prior to working at the EPA, Zachary served in the Office of the General Counsel for the Department of the Navy, where he provided the full range of environmental legal services in support of the Naval Air Systems Command Headquarters, its affiliated program offices, and the Command’s many field detachments. In this role, Zachary focused on planning, compliance, remediation, natural resources conservation, regulatory and legislative development, contract review and drafting, and litigation support.

Perspective gained at these agencies informs Zachary’s work on behalf of Kelley Drye clients focused on environmental and energy regulatory matters as well as government contracts and trade compliance issues.

Zachary counsels clients on Clean Air Act (CAA) and Clean Water Act (CWA) regulatory matters and permitting issues. He advocates for trade associations in the development of EPA rulemaking and assists with regulatory advocacy and litigation related to reporting rules for GHG emissions. In addition to the CAA and CWA, Zachary routinely provides advice for, and advocates on behalf of, clients on matters arising under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). He also provides advice and counsel on PFAS issues and is a regular contributor to the Kelley Drye Green Law Blog on such matters.

Perspective gained on government contracts from his time at the Department of the Navy and as a suspension and debarment attorney for the EPA, helps Zachary provide tailored advice on a range of government contracts matters, including bid protests, contract disputes, subcontract negotiation, small business contracting, suspension and debarment, and other compliance matters.

Zachary also counsels multinational professional services networks on numerous compliance matters under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. In doing so, he evaluates work solicitations, contracts, and reports for risk and ensures related business activities conform with the Act’s various registration requirements implicating conduct that may inadvertently attempt to influence U.S. policy, politics and public opinion.

Zachary was a Research Assistant to Professor Robert Percival and Dean Donald Tobin, and had clerkships at the Office of the Attorney General within the Maryland Department of the Environment, the Office of the General Counsel for the Department of the Navy, and the Environment and Natural Resources Division within the Department of Justice.

Zachary completed a Climate Change and Health certificate program from the Yale School of Public Health.

Zachary J. Lee