Zach ZhenHe Tan
Associate
Areas of Focus
- Supreme Court & Appellate
- Disputes & Investigations
- Focuses on federal and state appellate litigation, including the U.S. Supreme Court, the federal courts of appeals and California appellate courts.
- Assists clients in complex commercial disputes and challenges to government regulations and administrative action.
- Served as a law clerk for the Honorable Goodwin Liu of the Supreme Court of California.
As a member of the Supreme Court and appellate practice, Zach represents clients in federal and state appellate courts.
Prior to joining Akin, Zach served as a law clerk for the Honorable Goodwin Liu of the Supreme Court of California. Zach was also previously an attorney at another leading international law firm.
Zach earned his J.D. magna cum laude from Harvard Law School. During his time at Harvard, Zach served as notes editor and diversity committee co-chair for the Harvard Law Review. He also served as academics and clerkships chair for the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association. He received an LL.B. from the National University of Singapore.
- Represented major internet platform companies against claims related to unlawful third-party content in federal and state court. Secured motions to dismiss based on Communications Decency Act Section 230 and defended the rulings on appeal.*
- Represented an insurance company in an action challenging a novel retroactive refund ordered by the California Insurance Commissioner. Defended a favorable trial court ruling before the California Court of Appeal.*
- Represented a California public utility in challenging a local ordinance passed in violation of state open government laws.*
- Filed pro bono amicus briefs in federal and state court, including a brief on behalf of immigration law scholars before the U.S. Supreme Court and briefs on behalf of gun control advocates before the 9th Circuit and Michigan Supreme Court.*
- Represented a pro bono client in a Fourth Amendment challenge to a police search before the 6th Circuit.*
*Matters handled prior to joining Akin Gump.
EducationJ.D., Harvard Law School, magna cum laude, 2019
LL.B., National University of Singapore, with highest honors, 2016
J.D., Harvard Law School, magna cum laude, 2019
LL.B., National University of Singapore, with highest honors, 2016
ClerkshipsCalifornia Supreme Court
California Supreme Court
Bar AdmissionsCalifornia
California
