Top Clean Air Lawyer and Former EPA Senior Legal Counsel Zach Pilchen Joins Holland & Knight
WASHINGTON (March 20, 2025) – Holland & Knight welcomes Zach Pilchen as senior counsel in the Firm's Public Policy & Regulation Group in Washington, D.C. Most recently, Mr. Pilchen served as senior legal counsel for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of General Counsel, where he advised on high-profile and complex agency initiatives and congressional oversight matters.
Mr. Pilchen also spent several years as a lawyer with the EPA in the first Trump Administration and Obama Administration, where he worked extensively on air pollution and climate matters arising under the Clean Air Act (CAA). During that time, he was also detailed to the U.S. Senate where he provided legal advice on bipartisan environmental legislation and oversight matters, briefing U.S. senators and senior officials on significant energy and environmental issues. Mr. Pilchen's work for bipartisan policymakers at EPA included numerous rulemakings addressing state-federal dynamics under the CAA, including state implementation plans (SIPs), the "Good Neighbor" provisions addressing interstate air pollution and other matters related to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
As a member of the legal team developing EPA's first-ever greenhouse gas rules for the power sector, he assisted with complex environmental and administrative law issues during the rule's development and helped defend its power plant efficiency measures in litigation. Mr. Pilchen also advised on air permitting matters, drafted EPA Administrator orders responding to citizen petitions that challenged the legitimacy of state-issued Title V operating permits and served as lead EPA counsel for the novel Juliana v. United States "atmospheric trust" constitutional litigation.
Mr. Pilchen also has experience counseling regulated entities and trade associations in private practice. He is a former deputy chair of Beveridge & Diamond's Air and Climate Practice Group. At Holland & Knight he will provide forward-thinking, strategic counsel on compliance with federal and state environmental laws, with an emphasis on air and climate change rules. He will also use his insight into legislative processes and communications skills to guide clients on effective business strategies and messaging.
"Zach brings a distinct bipartisan background and outlook to the table with his experience at the EPA during three administrations," said Rich Gold, leader of Holland & Knight's Public Policy & Regulation Group. "He is also well prepared to help clients manage a rapidly shifting judicial arena as recent Supreme Court rulings have curtailed regulatory authority and limited agency enforcement. The seismic shift to environmental law as a result of these rulings cannot be understated."
"Corporations now operate in a hyper-politicized environment where intense public and political scrutiny can threaten their operations and reputations," said Mr. Pilchen. "Drawing on my deep and diverse set of experiences, I look forward to helping clients navigate the uncertainty and opportunities of abrupt political and regulatory changes."
Mr. Pilchen earned an LL.M. degree from The George Washington University Law School, a J.D. degree from Lewis & Clark Law School and a B.A. degree from the College of William & Mary. He is admitted to practice law in the District of Columbia and Virginia.