Zachary Aaron Sweebe | People

Zachary Sweebe's commercial litigation practice serves pharmaceutical and medical device companies facing nationwide product liability actions and investigations, as well as corporations facing litigation related to websites, web services, and mobile applications.

Zachary previously worked in technology consulting, designed consumer electronics, and maintained "Big Data" health insurance applications for federal employees. He also worked for a South Korean law firm, advising insurers about ship collisions, cargo losses, and cross-border insolvencies.

Zachary's trial experience includes the successful cross-examination and impeachment of a former deputy sheriff, resulting in a favorable verdict and a complete expungement of the claim.

In law school, Zachary served as Executive Online Editor of the Journal of International Law and board member for the International Refugee Assistance Project. He spoke as a panelist about Foreign Direct Investment challenges, and published an analysis of China's Bilateral Investment Treaty protections.

Focus Areas

Experience

International pharmaceutical company, as global product liability counsel related to Covid-19 vaccine.
Pfizer, as national coordinating counsel in product liability matters concerning talc in products filed across the United States.
Major pharmaceutical company in one of the largest MDL and state product liability litigations in history.
AstraZeneca, as national counsel in multidistrict litigation involving proton pump inhibitors, Prilosec and Nexium.

Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), the Conservator for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, in complex cases against the agency, and in actions implicating the rights of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in litigation in state and federal courts.
Corporate defendants across numerous industries, in litigation involving website and mobile application accessibility standards such as WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508.
Individual cooperator, in dozens of proffer sessions with S.D.N.Y. prosecutors, multiple client-involved stings, and key testimony in highly-publicized criminal trial, resulting in reduction of 30-years-to-life mandatory minimum sentence to time served, plus seven days.

Lukic v. Elezovic, 2021 WL 466029 (E.D.N.Y. 2021): Secured safe return of wrongfully retained child in action brought under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Decision discussed in American Bar Association’s International Family Law Year In Review, 56 ABA/SIL YIR 341, 345 (2022).
Niang v. Tomblinson, 2018 WL 2218811 (U.S. 2018): Co-authored U.S. Supreme Court amicus brief for civil liberties group, arguing that constitutional rights abridged by state occupational licenses warrant a standard of review that is less-deferential to the government. Action mooted by later legislative amendment repealing relevant occupational licensing requirement.

Perspectives

October 21, 2020

Accessibility Considerations for Websites and Digital Media

Arnold & Porter Webinar

Recognition

Best Lawyers

"Ones to Watch" — Product Liability Litigation: Defendants (NY) (2024)

New York Super Lawyers

"Rising Star"—Business Litigation (2020–2023)

Credentials

Education

J.D., University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, 2017
Certificate in Management, The Wharton School, The University of Pennsylvania, 2015
B.S., Skidmore College, 2012, cum laude

Admissions

New York
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York