Z.W. Julius Chen

Partner

Areas of Focus

Z.W. Julius Chen

Partner

chenj@akingump.com

Areas of Focus

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Biography
  • Focuses his practice on federal and state appellate litigation.
  • Has particular experience relating to administrative and constitutional law, financial restructuring, intellectual property and Native American tribes.

Julius Chen represents clients at all stages of appellate litigation. He is the principal drafter of more than 150 briefs filed in the U.S. Supreme Court and the federal courts of appeals, and he has argued cases in the 6th, 9th, 11th, D.C., and Federal Circuits, as well as the Florida Supreme Court. He has also counseled clients on numerous briefs filed in trial courts nationwide.

Julius’s practice spans the range of the firm’s complex litigation and regulatory matters. In particular, he has been involved in many of the firm’s most significant matters concerning constitutional and Administrative Procedure Act challenges; high-stakes bankruptcy appeals on behalf of debtors and creditors; patent-related appeals arising out of both district court and inter partes review proceedings; and litigation relating to an array of Indian law issues.  

In addition, Julius maintains a broad appellate pro bono practice in which he has represented major trade associations, national nonprofit organizations, local governments, academics and incarcerated individuals.

Previously, Julius served as editor-in-chief of the Columbia Law Review. He clerked for Judge Judith W. Rogers on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and for Judge T.S. Ellis III on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Julius is the Hiring Partner for Akin Gump’s Washington, D.C. office.

Representative Work

Administrative and Constitutional Law

  • Representing an aerospace company in D.C. Circuit appeals defending Federal Communications Commission satellite license modification order.
  • Successfully briefed and argued D.C. Circuit appeal finding that the Federal Aviation Administration had constructively denied a pilot’s application.
  • Successfully briefed and argued 9th Circuit appeal defending the Environmental Protection Agency’s final rule on behalf of a coalition of tribes and stakeholders.

Financial Restructuring

  • Represented FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. in a dozen 6th Circuit appeals arising out of rejection of FERC-regulated power purchase agreements and plan confirmation.
  • Successfully defended judgment and opposed petition for certiorari in a restructuring proceeding involving bankruptcy claims worth more than $500 million.
  • Represented the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors or ad hoc creditor groups in successful bankruptcy appeals involving, among other companies, Sears Holdings Corp., Purdue Pharma L.P. and PG&E Corp.

Intellectual Property

  • Successfully briefed and argued multiple appeals defending inter partes review final written decisions.
  • Drafted successful Federal Circuit briefs on venue, patentability, claim construction, invalidity, and ongoing royalty issues arising out of district court litigation.

Native American Law

  • Successfully briefed 9th Circuit appeal arising out of a constitutional challenge to the Indian Child Welfare Act.
  • Defeated petitions for certiorari challenging landmark Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act.

Education
  • J.D., Columbia Law School, with highest honors, 2009

  • B.A., Princeton University, magna cum laude, 2005

Clerkships
  • U.S.C.A., D.C. Circuit

  • U.S.D.C., Eastern District of Virginia

Bar Admissions
  • District of Columbia

  • New York

Recognitions
  • Washington Business Journal, Diversity in Business, 2023.
  • The National Law Journal, Legal Awards: DC Rising Star, 2022.
  • Bloomberg Law, They’ve Got Next: The 40 Under 40, 2022.
  • Diversity Journal, Asian Leaders Worth Watching, 2022.
  • Washington Business Journal, 40 Under 40, 2020.
  • The Legal 500 United States, Appellate: Supreme courts (states and federal), 2020 to 2022, Appellate: Courts of appeals / supreme courts (states and federal), 2023, and Patents: Litigation (full coverage), 2021 and 2023.
  • Euromoney Expert Guides: Rising Stars, United States – Litigation, 2020-2022.
  • Stark Ritchie Pro Bono Counsel Award.
  • Charles Bathgate Beck Prize, Columbia Law School.
  • LexisNexis James William Moore Federal Practice Award.
  • Winner of the Robert T. Matsui Annual Writing Competition. 
  • Prize in American History, Princeton University.
Affiliations and Public Service
  • Edward Coke Appellate Inn of Court.
  • Georgetown Supreme Court Institute Moot Court Program.
  • Federal Circuit Bar Association, Amicus Committee Vice Chair.
  • National Asian Pacific American Bar Association.
Speeches and Publications
  • “2019 Supreme Court Term: A Conversation About (Surprising) Decisions Promoting Diversity and Inclusion,” Akin Gump Webinar, September 16, 2020.
  • “Who Counts? The 2020 Census and the Citizenship Question,” National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Convention, Austin, November 9, 2019.

Insights and Achievements

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