Zachary Simon is an Attorney-Advisor (International) with the Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) in the Office of the General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Commerce, where he works on the Energy and Minerals Team. 

Prior to joining CLDP, Mr. Simon worked as a senior associate for the international law firm Freshfields in both Washington, D.C. and Frankfurt, Germany. During his time at the firm, Mr. Simon specialized in international arbitration and litigation, representing clients in energy and mining disputes in multiple jurisdictions across the world under both treaties and commercial contracts. He also represented asylum-seekers on a pro bono basis before the European Court of Human Rights and was recognized as a Pro Bono Publico Award honoree by The Legal Aid Society for his work on behalf of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients.  

Mr. Simon has previously worked for the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Switzerland, the United States Senate, and the United States House of Representatives. He holds a J.D., cum laude, from the University of Michigan Law School, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif, a recipient of the Clara Belfield and Henry Bates Overseas Fellowship, and an associate editor for the Michigan Journal of International Law. He also holds a B.A. in political science and ethics from Emory University.  

Mr. Simon speaks English, French, Spanish, and German. He is admitted to practice law in New York and the District of Columbia.