G. Zachary Terwilliger

Partner

Government Investigations & White Collar Criminal Defense

“Piloting clients and their corporate entities through the tumultuous and complex waters of internal and government investigations is our role and one that I find incredibly rewarding.”

George Zachary Terwilliger

Overview

Zachary (“Zach”) Terwilliger, a highly ranked Chambers white collar practitioner and the former Senate-confirmed United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, brings both extensive frontline experience across all manner of complex investigations at the Department of Justice and a substantial record of high-profile private practice representations. 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. Since entering private practice, Zach has firmly established himself as go-to counsel on a series of complex and high profile representations. His representations—spanning top corporate clients as well as C-suite executives and other prominent officialshave earned consistent market recognition, including rankings in the Global Investigations Review 100, and selection to the elite GIR 30,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, and the 500 Global Leaders in Crisis Management 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.

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Experience

  • Represented a cabinet-level official in connection with congressional investigation before U.S. Congress

  • Represented a major medical center in a highly complex and novel FCA settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice

  • Led sensitive investigation of mass shooting event at major university

  • Assisted a defense contractor in responding to a significant cyber incident including with respect to reporting obligations to DoD

  • Representing a Silicon Valley-based technology company in internal and governmental investigations both domestically and in Asia

  • Representation of large corporate entity through multi-year investigation to resolution via Deferred Prosecution Agreement

  • Representation of large government contractor regarding cybersecurity compliance and False Claims Act allegations

  • Highly sensitive internal investigation at the C-Suite level for major U.S. Company that resulted in leadership change

  • Representation of Fortune 100 company across wide swath of investigations to include white collar, environmental, and antitrust

  • Representation of major sports franchise across multiple enforcement inquiries and internal investigations

  • Act as pool counsel to multiple executives related to wide range DOJ criminal probe

  • Individual representation of CEOs, CFOs, GCs, and other C-Suite executives who are witnesses, subjects, or targets of federal and state investigations

  • 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

Education

  • William & Mary School of Law, J.D., 2007 (Order of the Coif)
  • University of Virginia, B.A., 2003

Admissions

  • Virginia
  • District of Columbia

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Recognitions

  • Chambers USA, Litigation: White Collar Crime & Government Investigations (District of Columbia), 2023–2026
  • The Legal 500 Latin America, Compliance and Investigations, 2023–2025
  • The Legal 500 U.S., Dispute Resolution: Corporate Investigations & White-Collar Criminal Defense, 2022–2026; Government: Government Relations, 2022; Antitrust: Merger Control, 2023; Sport, 2024 and 2025
  • Selected to the 500 Leading Litigators in America, Lawdragon, 2023–2026
  • Selected to the 500 Leading Cybersecurity Lawyers in the World, Lawdragon, 2024–2026
  • Selected to the 500 Global Leaders in Crisis Management, Lawdragon, 2025 and 2026
  • The Best Lawyers in America© (BL Rankings, LLC), Qui Tam Law (Washington), 2024–2027
  • Global Investigations Review (GIR) 100, 2023 and 2025
  • 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
Insights

Client Alerts

Shut Door, Open Window: Eleventh Circuit Vacates Landmark District Court Ruling That the False Claims Act’s Qui Tam Provisions Violate the Appointments Clause

On September 1, 2026, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit issued its widely anticipated decision in …

September 3, 2026

September 3, 2026 • 8-minute read

Client Alerts

DOJ Announces New Priorities, Signaling a Renewed Focus on White Collar and Criminal Fraud Enforcement 

In a busy week of major policy changes for the Department of Justice (“DOJ” or the “Department”), Assistant Attorney General …

August 26, 2026

August 26, 2026 • 8-minute read

Articles

5 Strategies to Reduce the Risk of a DOJ False Claims Act Investigation

The Department of Justice (DOJ), via messaging from its leadership, has made clear it will prioritize and pursue aggressive civil False Claims Act (FCA) enforcement against companies that receive federal dollars. As the government’s primary civil remedy to redress fraud against the government, the FCA generates billions of dollars in annual DOJ settlements and judgments with the majority initiated by whistleblower qui tam lawsuits.

August 17, 2026

August 17, 2026 • 2-minute read

Client Alerts

Beyond the Trading Window: Why Prediction Markets Are the Next Frontier of Insider Trading Risks

Corporate legal departments at public and private companies are confronting a novel insider trading problem — one for which their …

June 25, 2026

June 25, 2026 • 16-minute read

Client Alerts

Unrelated Relators: DOJ Launches FOCUS Initiative as Data-Driven FCA Filings Surge

Traditionally, a Department of Justice (“DOJ” or the “Department”) False Claims Act (“FCA”) investigation starts with someone with inside knowledge …

May 20, 2026

May 20, 2026 • 6-minute read

News & Achievements