March 27, 2025
Zach Pekelis Named Litigation Counsel of America Fellow
Pacifica Law Group is proud to announce that Zach Pekelis has been selected as a fellow by the Litigation Counsel of America (LCA), a peer-selected trial lawyer honor society whose mission includes promoting ethical standards, advancing the judiciary and improving American litigation processes, and assisting its members in service to their communities. Membership is limited to 3,500 Fellows nationwide, representing less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers. Zach joins Pacifica partner Paul Lawrence as an LCA Fellow.
A partner in Pacifica’s Litigation Practice Group, Zach is a trial and appellate attorney who helps his clients navigate all stages of civil litigation, internal and government investigations, and novel challenges at the intersection of law, policy, and politics. Zach is one of the Pacific Northwest’s foremost legal advocates supporting firearm safety measures, representing the region’s leading gun violence prevention nonprofits to defend common-sense firearm laws in state and federal courts. In 2023, Zach and Pacifica associate Scott Ferron successfully represented the Alliance for a Safe Oregon in defending an Oregon ballot measure that restricted large-capacity magazines and required a permit to purchase firearms. After a bench trial, a federal judge upheld the measure as constitutional.
Zach is also one of Washington’s leading defenders of public health measures adopted by state and local government during the COVID-19 pandemic. Zach previously led the Washington Attorney General’s Office team defending emergency orders adopted by Washington’s governor to stem the spread of the virus, including the stay-home order and the eviction moratorium. At Pacifica, Zach has continued to represent state and local government entities in lawsuits challenging their implementation of COVID-19 employee vaccination mandates. Recently, Zach represented Washington State University in winning summary judgment against former head football coach Nick Rolovich, who was fired after refusing to comply with a 2021 emergency vaccination requirement for educational workers (including university employees).
Zach is a former U.S. Department of Justice trial attorney and Washington State assistant attorney general. He is also the chair of the Seattle Ethics & Elections Commission.
The LCA’s Fellows are selected based upon excellence and accomplishment in litigation, both at the trial and appellate levels, and superior ethical reputation. Established to reflect the American bar in the twenty-first century, the LCA represents the best in law among its membership. The number of Fellowships has been kept at an exclusive limit by design, allowing qualifications, diversity and inclusion to align effectively, with recognition of excellence in litigation across all segments of the bar. Fellows are generally at the partner or shareholder level, or are independent practitioners with recognized experience and accomplishment. In addition, the LCA is dedicated to promoting superior advocacy, professionalism and ethical standards among its Fellows.
