ZwillGen is a decade-old boutique that represents the biggest names in technology in complex and cutting-edge legal challenges. Though the firm is both young and small, ZwillGen is known as a leading firm on Internet law and its lawyers have investigated, litigated, and counseled clients on a wide range of issues including cybercrime, privacy and data security, online marketing, internet gambling, and more.

An Internet Startup

Graduating from law school in the mid-90s, firm founders Marc Zwillinger and Christian Genetski grew their legal careers with the internet. The duo prosecuted cyber-crimes at the DOJ and went on to lead the internet and data privacy groups at two BigLaw firms. In 2010, they decided to strike out on their own, founding ZwillGen in a DC row house, bringing two senior associates and 24 corporate clients from their BigLaw outfits. Less than two years later the firm had doubled in size and quadrupled its client roster. Over the next decade, the firm quickly grew, adding lawyers in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco and currently boasts just over two dozen lawyers focusing on all things internet law related.

An Apple a Day

ZwillGen client roster is a virtual who’s who of internet and technology companies and includes household names like Yahoo!, Hulu, Yelp, Airbnb, and LinkedIn. But the client that may have put ZwillGen on the map is one of the biggest in the world. ZwillGen has represented Apple in several cases, including defending the company against government access to user data. Notably, in 2016, ZwillGen successfully represented Apple when the government tried to compel Apple to unlock the iPhone recovered from one of the terrorists in the San Bernardino mass shooting.

Doing Things Differently

Because of its size, ZwillGen is able to do things differently than its BigLaw competitors. Lawyers wear jeans to the office every day, and there is no strict differentiating between shareholders and other lawyers. Most work is done not on an hourly basis, but for a flat fee or monthly retainer. And when work is billed by the hour, all the attorneys are billed at the same rate, allowing them to work more collaboratively.

COVID-19 Update

During this unprecedented time, our hearts and thoughts are with those affected by the coronavirus and our gratitude goes out to the healthcare workers, local communities, and governments who are working on the front lines to contain this pandemic and to care for others.

Like you, we are worried about our communities, our families, our friends, and all of you, and about what lies ahead. We know much is uncertain right now, but at ZwillGen a few things remain clear. We are committed to protecting the health and well-being of our employees and our communities and to continuing to provide trusted and practical legal services to our larger ZwillGen family—our clients. We are dedicated to doing both while staying true to one of our core ZwillGen values—caring for each other.