zachary hecht
Associate Attorney
Phone: 515-381-0168
Licensed in Minnesota and Iowa
SPD appointed attorney
Areas of Focus
Criminal defense (drug crimes, OWI’s, weapon charges, robbery & burglary) and family law (mediations, divorces, custody disputes, and termination of parental rights), and immigration (asylum and related hearings).
Summary
Zachary Hecht is an associate attorney at Causey & Ye Law. Zach clerked for Causey & Ye Law for nearly two years before being hired as an associate attorney. Zach has experience in several different areas of law from his time clerking for Causey & Ye Law’s lead counsel, Jonathan Causey, with his main areas of focus are criminal defense and family law. He also assisted Causey & Ye Law’s other managing partner, Yangyidi Ye, with immigration and business-related matters.
Zach graduated from Iowa State University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a minor in Spanish. He graduated from Drake Law School in May of 2022. After passing the Bar Exam in July of 2022, Zach became licensed to practice law in Iowa in September of 2022.
While attending Drake Law School, Zach received the Iowa Supreme Court Scholarship. He participated in the Drake Criminal Defense Clinic where he gained valuable experience in representing several defendants charged with various crimes, including Assault, OWI, and drug possession. During the summer of 2020, Zach clerked for Judge Susan Cox in Iowa’s 5th District. While working for Judge Cox, Zach attended several juvenile court hearings, drafted orders, and conducted legal research for the judge.
While clerking at Causey & Ye Law, Zach assisted Jonathan Causey in defending his clients by reviewing evidence that could be used in trial, conducting legal research, and drafting memorandums on complex legal issues. He also assisted Jon’s family law clients with child support, spousal maintenance, and child custody related tasks.
Zach has gained a significant amount of experience since becoming licensed. Zach has a State Public Defender’s (SPD) contract with Polk County, so he is appointed to represent indigent clients who cannot afford an attorney. He has represented clients in such matters as Compulsory Education Violations, Violations of No Contact Orders, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Driving While Barred, and Domestic Abuse Assault. Zach has gotten experience in juvenile and family law cases through the SPD contract as well.
In March 2023, Zach became licensed to practice law in the State of Minnesota. In Minnesota, Zach has experience with helping clients file Expungement Petitions for previous charges and convictions on their criminal records. Zach also assists Causey and Ye Law’s name partners, Jonathan Causey and Yangyidi Ye, with various Minnesotan clients’ cases, ranging from defending sex trafficking/prostitution to dissolution and formation of business corporations.
Achievement & Highlights
In July 2024, Zach was able to assist a client who was charged with Burglary 2nd Degree–a Class B Felony–reach a plea deal for a simple misdemeanor. Through extensive pretrial motion practice and conducting depositions, Zach was able to get his client a very favorable outcome in his case. Rather than facing up to twenty-five years in prison, all Zach’s client needed to do was a small fine.
In August 2024, Zach handled two asylum interviews for individuals who are seeking to become lawful permanent residents in the United States. Zach prepped both clients for the interviews, explaining to them what to expect, how to carefully consider their answers, and provided support for them during the interviews.
Membership
· Iowa State Bar Association
· Polk County Bar Association
· Minnesota State Bar Association