Zachary M. Johns is a trusted advocate for US and international clients facing high-stakes commercial and criminal litigation, with a particular focus on antitrust and class action matters. He regularly advises companies on risk mitigation, litigation strategy, and the design and implementation of antitrust compliance and training programs. Zak represents clients across a wide spectrum of industries—including life sciences, healthcare, financial services, commodities, technology, and consumer products—defending against claims of price-fixing, bid rigging, market allocation, exclusive dealing, monopolization, tying, and bundling. Known for his strategic insight and practical approach, Zak is also a member of the firm’s litigation working groups on algorithmic pricing, artificial intelligence (AI), and mass arbitrations.
Zak is a Chambers-ranked litigator who brings substantial experience handling complex class action, multi-plaintiff, and single-plaintiff litigation from inception through trial and appeal. He co-chaired an 11-day federal trial, delivering the opening statement and conducting multiday examinations of key witnesses, and has argued critical pretrial and midtrial motions in federal and state courts. His litigation portfolio includes briefing dispositive motions, including motions to dismiss, motions for summary judgment, Daubert motions, and motions to oppose class certification, as well as managing both fact and expert depositions. Zak has played a central role in cases involving claims of exclusive dealing, tying, monopolization, price-fixing, discrimination, and violations of federal and state antitrust, consumer protection, and business tort laws.
Committed to public service, Zak maintains an active pro bono practice. He volunteers for HIAS Pennsylvania, representing asylum applicants and individuals seeking citizenship. For example, Zak represented an asylum applicant from Eritrea who was persecuted on the basis of religion and secured a grant of asylum for the applicant following a trial. Zak also represents artists through the Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts program. Zak also serves on the board of trustees of the nonprofit PYO Music Institute for gifted, young classical musicians. While in law school, Zak was a summer intern for Judge Gene E.K. Pratter of the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and participated in a legal clinic representing low-income individuals in family law matters.
Zak’s current litigation matters include:
Zak’s representative litigation successes include:
Zak’s representative counseling includes:
Ranked, Antitrust, Pennsylvania, Chambers USA (2024)
Listed, Global Competition Review, 40 Under 40 (2024)
Recommended, Key Lawyer, Antitrust – Civil Litigation/Class Actions: Defense, The Legal 500 US (2024)
Listed, Philadelphia Business Journal, 40 Under 40 (2024)
Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation, Philadelphia (2023–2025)
Ranked, Chambers USA, Up and Coming, Antitrust, Pennsylvania (2022, 2023)
Listed, The Legal Intelligencer, Lawyers on the Fast Track (2019)
Member, Law360, Practice Group of the Year, Competition (2017–2021)
Listed, Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, Rising Star, Antitrust Litigation (2015–2024)
Member, American Bar Association
Member, Pennsylvania Bar Association
Member, Philadelphia Bar Association
Member, Order of the Coif
Executive Editor, University of Illinois Law Review
Recipient, Rickert Award for Academic Excellence (2012)
Member, Best Lawyers – Best Law Firms, Practice Group of the Year, Antitrust Law (2017)