Julie Zebrak

legal career

Julie Zebrak is an attorney, a seasoned political consultant, a leading voice on law and politics, and a political organizer and fundraiser. A veteran attorney with nearly 20 years of experience at the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Department of Justice, Zebrak left the law in 2016 to pursue her passion for progressive politics. Read below for a snapshot of Zebrak’s career as a D.C. lawyer.

u.s. department of the treasury | 2015-2016

financial crimes enforcement network | 2015-2016
senior advisor to the deputy director

  • Helped the Director and Deputy Director run the day-to-day operations of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

  • Coordinated and drafted regulations and policies with Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (TFI) components in an effort to combat money laundering and terrorism financing. 

  • Worked closely with TFI leadership team and Treasury General Counsel on operational, organizational, regulatory, and policy matters related to FinCEN.

u.s. department of justice | 1997-2015

executive office for united states attorneys, office of the director | 2014-2015
special counsel to the director

  • Assisted Director in overseeing day-to-day operations of the Executive Office for United States Attorneys (EOUSA) and of the Office of the Director.

  • Edited written correspondence, policy, and procedures coming out of the Office of the Director; drafted remarks for the Director.

  • Planned and 0versaw orientation for new Assistant United States Attorneys in Washington, D.C. and Director’s Awards Ceremony.

  • Vetted U.S. Attorney candidate. 

office of the deputy attorney general | 2013-2015 
deputy chief of staff                  

  • Assisted the Deputy Attorney General (DAG) in day-to-day running of Office of the Deputy Attorney General, including management and clearance of incoming policy, operational,
    and legal issues to present to the DAG for decision.

  • Managed office of 20+ attorneys and 10+ support staff, including Associate Deputy Attorneys General, Senior Counsels, Counsels, Office Manager, and Administrative Staff.

  • Worked with White House on recruitment and hiring of key DOJ leadership positions and DOJ details. 

  • Drafted and edited speeches on issues such as clemency, criminal justice reform, and the opioid crisis.

  • Managed briefing materials for DAG.

  • Provided oversight over the Justice Management Division.

  • Conducted Freedom of Information Act review and clearance on behalf of DAG.

  • Responded to oversight issues raised by Congress, GAO, and OIG.

office of attorney recruitment & management | 2012-2013  
special counsel for attorney development and inclusion    

  • Served on Executive Staff for Diversity Management Council and worked on recruitment, professional development, diversity, and inclusion of DOJ attorneys.

  • Oversaw Diversity and Inclusion Symposium Series Speaker event; provided welcoming remarks.

  • Moderated three panels entitled, “Can You Have It All:  A Panel of Women at the Leadership Table” with Department women in leadership to address leadership and work-life integration.

  • Developed “Flash Mentoring-in-a-Box” program for dissemination to all DOJ components to provide a one-stop guide for putting on a live mentoring event in small and large offices.

  • Revamped Attorney General’s Honors Program application and DOJ-wide exit survey.

  • Provided guidance on disability and diversity training for Department.

  • Recruited attorneys and volunteer legal interns for DOJ.

criminal division, office of administration | 2002-2012
agency counsel & acting deputy executive officer

  • Served as close advisor and counselor to Executive Officer as part of management team, including on budget, finance, human resources, information technology, security, space, and travel.

  • Served as close advisor and counselor to AAG, Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Assistant Attorneys General, Section Chiefs, and Deputy Section Chiefs on employment and personnel management matters, including disciplinary actions, and employment disputes, including EEO and disciplinary matters, performance improvement plans (PIPs), and reasonable accommodation requests. Conducted internal hostile work environment investigations, as well as investigations of sensitive, high-level personnel matters requiring discretion.

  • Represented and litigated on behalf of Criminal Division in employment disputes at administrative and EEOC levels, in federal district and appellate courts, and during mediation and settlement negotiations.  

  • Served as Director of Attorney Recruitment for Criminal Division. Ran Attorney Honors Program Hiring Committee of 14 attorneys, managing over 1200 applicants, 50 interviews each fall. Ran mentor program for new attorneys.

  • Supervised Division Ethics Officer; trained and supervised Assistant Agency Counsel.

  • Co-led Criminal Division Diversity Committee and led Language Access Plan Working Group for Criminal Division.

  • Developed and provided annual Division-wide training for supervisors on EEO, diversity, interviewing, reference-checking, disciplinary actions, and other employment matters.

  • Drafted policies relating to Human Resources issues such as hiring, reasonable accommodation; reviewed Criminal Division administrative policies for legal sufficiency.

civil rights division, complaint adjudication office | 1997-2002
trial attorney         

  • Adjudicated employment discrimination complaints brought by DOJ employees claiming violations of Title VII, Rehabilitation Act, and Age Discrimination in Employment Act.

  • In cases where there was an EEOC hearing, reviewed Administrative Judge’s findings of fact and conclusions of law and, where applicable, issued reversal.


gibson, dunn | 1995-1997

labor & employment associate

  • Counseled clients on labor and employment law matters. Engaged in motions practice in labor and employment litigation matters. 

  • Served on attorney hiring committee.