Zack Paakkonen

Zack Paakkonen has represented clients with excellence in state courts and before administrative agencies in family matters, criminal proceedings, child protective matters, and civil litigation since 2005. Before resuming private practice, Zack was an attorney at Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, where he successfully advocated for civil rights before courts, legislatures, and governmental agencies in impact litigation and policy advocacy throughout New England. 

 

Zack knows what it is like to work hard, and will work hard for you. He is from Bucksport, Maine, and was the first person in his family to go to college. He is a 2005 graduate of Cornell Law School. He also holds a B.A. in Linguistics from the University of Southern Maine. In 2008, Zack co-founded a general practice law firm in Portland. His work included criminal defense, work with the foster care system, and work as a rostered Guardian ad Litem, as well as representing clients in matters of family law and other probate matters, advising clients regarding discrimination matters in school and employment, handling matters involving youth in a variety of contexts, and advocacy with state government on public policy matters. Zack also contributed a chapter on legal protections for transgender youth to Transgender Family Law: A Guide to Effective Advocacy, published in 2012. He is a member of the National LGBT Bar Association and its Family Law Institute, where he serves on the Executive Committee. He also serves as a Board Advisor to the Trans Youth Equality Foundation and currently sits on the board of Equality Maine.