Zachary T. Lee is a Partner in Gentry Locke’s White Collar Defense, Investigations & Compliance practice group. Nationally recognized for his integrity, experience, and leadership, Zach is regarded as one of the most respected federal prosecutors in the country. He served with distinction as the chief federal law enforcement officer in the Western District of Virginia and is known for his exceptional work on matters involving the investigation and prosecution of all manner of federal criminal offenses.
Prior to joining Gentry Locke, Zach served in multiple leadership roles in the United States Attorney’s Office, most recently as Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, which is the chief federal law enforcement officer who supervises the investigations conducted by all federal law enforcement agencies in the District. As Acting United States Attorney, he also supervised the daily operations of the United States Attorney’s Office, including all criminal and civil cases and the work of 85+ attorneys and staff. Other leadership roles in which Zach has served include First Assistant United States Attorney and Criminal Chief. During his tenure as a federal prosecutor, he participated in more than seventy jury trials in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia and five oral arguments in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. In recognition of his exemplary work, he is the recipient of multiple awards, including the Anti-Defamation League SHIELD Award, the Chappell-Morris Trial Lawyer Award, and the John Perry Alderman Award for Excellence.
Before his federal service, Zach served as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Bristol, Virginia. He also was a law clerk for the Honorable James P. Jones, United States District Judge for the Western District of Virginia.
As a member of the firm’s White Collar Defense, Investigations & Compliance practice, Zach works with clients on developing and implementing effective regulatory compliance programs, internal controls, and ethics programs across a variety of industries. He also works with clients to conduct internal investigations and provide strategic advice aimed at mitigating any potential negative impacts on business operations, criminal, civil, or regulatory exposure, and reputational harm. Given his extensive trial experience, Zach also assists clients in analyzing and developing successful litigation strategies.
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Dogs, Chesapeake Bay Retriever and Eskipoo
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Presidents I've met
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Summer I spent on the Juneau Icefield
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What was your favorite non-legal job?
I guided summer backpacking trips for high school students in the Rockies and the Alps.
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What do you do when you're not working?
I spend most of my time trying to keep up with my 9-year-old son. Between coaching his baseball, football, and basketball teams and making sure he gets his homework done, it's a second full time job!
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Wait, Juneau Icefield?
I was selected to be part of a National Science Foundation expedition to the Juneau Icefield to study glaciers and climate change. We spent six weeks traversing the Juneau Icefield on skis from Juneau, Alaska to Atlin, British Columbia.
Education
- University of Wyoming College of Law, J.D.
- Washington and Lee University, B.A. American History.
Experience
United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia. Abingdon, VA.
Assistant United States Attorney: August 2025 – October 2025.
Acting United States Attorney: December 2024 – July 2025.
First Assistant United States Attorney: August 2023 – December 2024; July 2025-August 2025.
Principal Deputy United States Attorney: October 2022 – July 2023.
Chief, Criminal Division: April 2018 – July 2023.
Assistant United States Attorney: May 2007 – April 2018.
Special Assistant United States Attorney: October 2005 – May 2007.
City of Bristol Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. Bristol, VA.
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney: September 2003 – May 2007.
Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney: April 2004 – July 2004.
Honorable James P. Jones, Judge, United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia. Abingdon, VA.
Law Clerk: August 2002 – August 2003.
Affiliations
- Member, Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference (2018 – present)
- Board of Directors, Sullins Academy (2021 – 2024)
- Coach, Washington County Little League Baseball. (2023 – present)
- Coach, Bristol Parks and Recreation Youth Flag Football.(2023 – present)
- Coach, Bristol Parks and Recreation Youth Basketball. (2023 – present)
- Board of Directors, Children’s Advocacy Center of Bristol/Washington County, VA. (2004 – 2010)
- Board of Directors, Bristol White Sox, Minor League Baseball Team. (2006-2007)
- Treasurer, Bristol, Virginia Bar Association. (2004)
Awards
- Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference – Member. June 2018 – present.
- John Perry Alderman Award for Excellence – Award recognizing the outstanding Assistant United States Attorney in the Western District of Virginia who has achieved a significant, successful outcome in a particular case or investigation. United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia. May 2011 & August 2017.
- Anti-Defamation League SHIELD Award – National award recognizing significant contributions toward protecting the American people from hate crimes, extremism, and terrorism. September 2014.
- Chappell-Morris Trial Lawyer Award – Award recognizing outstanding young trial lawyers in Virginia. Virginia Committee of the American College of Trial Lawyers. June 2013.
- Fraud Fighters Award – Award recognizing exemplary efforts in helping reduce insurance fraud in Virginia. Virginia State Police Insurance Fraud Program. May 2008.
