Zach Pilchen is an environmental attorney in Washington DC specializing in Clean Air Act matters and EPA regulatory compliance. His practice focuses on air emissions, air quality, greenhouse gases, and climate regulation under federal, state, and local environmental laws. Mr. Pilchen's regulatory expertise was shaped by serving as both a career attorney and political appointee in EPA's Office of General Counsel across the Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations, where he advised bipartisan policymakers in both the executive branch and Congress. Mr. Pilchen combines his deep regulatory insights with a practical, goals-oriented approach, helping clients address complex environmental requirements.
During his career tenure at EPA, Mr. Pilchen worked on major Clean Air Act rulemakings, including state implementation plans (SIPs), interstate air pollution under the Clean Air Act's "Good Neighbor" provisions, other actions related to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), as well as federal greenhouse gas regulations for the power sector. His work earned him awards from EPA and the U.S. Department of Justice. While on detail to the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, Mr. Pilchen provided legal advice on regulatory reform, oversight matters, and contributed to bipartisan environmental legislation, including the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act phasing down hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants and the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA) reforming vessel pollution regulations.
In private practice, Mr. Pilchen advises corporations and trade associations on environmental compliance, regulatory strategy, and enforcement matters. He has counseled clients across transportation, chemical, technology, manufacturing, retail, and construction sectors on rulemaking advocacy, compliance, enforcement defense, and regulatory negotiations. Previously, he served as deputy chair of a leading environmental boutique firm's air and climate practice.
Mr. Pilchen holds an LL.M. from George Washington University Law School (highest honors) and a J.D. from Lewis & Clark Law School (magna cum laude).