Practice Focus
Zachary Gates focuses his practice on litigating his clients’ business and individual concerns, ranging from patent infringement and environmental contamination disputes to violations of New Hampshire’s Consumer Protection Act and implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. “My favorite role as an attorney is that of counselor. Clients should be encouraged and heartened to share the facts of their problems with me frankly, so that collaboratively we can develop and implement a litigation strategy, and they should feel confident knowing that I will cede ground and stand firm as necessary, always with their ultimate goals in mind. Because New England is my home, too, I’m pleased to support the region’s business owners in their pursuit of economic success, and it’s an added honor for me to do so through a profession that allows me to apply my technical and legal training.”
Significant Matters
Obtained a dismissal of a nuisance action brought against a power utility by a private citizen.
Advocated on behalf of citizen’s group concerned with the placement and size of a proposed wind farm, leading to a reduction in the quantity of windmills.
Negotiated successful settlements for a national church in a lawsuit brought by parishioners, an innkeeper bringing claims for negligent misrepresentation and breach of contract against a previous owner, and an electrical company seeking unpaid fees from a hotel.
Assisted a major national equipment dealer to obtain the return of machinery due to lack of payment.
Professional Activities
Zachary studied law at Penn State's Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle, Pa., where he received the ABA-BNA Award for Excellence in the Study of Intellectual Property Law and an award for posting the highest grade in environmental litigation.
As a law student, Zachary was a law clerk in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Region III Office of General Counsel in Philadelphia, and a Certified Legal Intern in the Cumberland County Public Defender's Office in Carlisle.
Zachary participates in the New Hampshire Bar Association’s (NHBA) Domestic Violence Emergency (DOVE) Project, which provides free legal representation at final hearings for Domestic Violence Protective Orders . He is also an avid legal writer and currently is working on a number of articles for publication.
Community Involvement
Zachary is vice president of the Brattleboro Sunrise chapter of Rotary International. He serves on the board of directors of the Brattleboro Area Drop In Center, a day shelter for homeless and lonely persons offering a welcoming atmosphere, a community food shelf and support services. He also has served as a volunteer attorney on the NHBA’s “A Lawyer and Judge In Every School” program.
Publications/Presentations
"Obeying the 'Speed' Limit: Framing the Appropriate Role of EPA Criminal Enforcement Actions Against Clandestine Drug Laboratory Operators," Penn State Environmental Law Review, (2005).
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