Zachary Hecht

OVERVIEW

Introduction

Zachary Hecht ("Zach") is an associate attorney at Causey & Ye Law, P.L.L.C., where he represents clients in criminal defense, immigration, family law, and civil litigation matters. He is licensed to practice law in both Iowa and Minnesota and is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa.

Before joining the firm as an associate attorney, Zach clerked at Causey & Ye Law for nearly two years, gaining extensive experience in courtroom advocacy, legal research, and case strategy under the supervision of lead counsel Jonathan Causey and managing partner Yangyidi Ye. He also clerked for Judge Susan Cox of Iowa’s Fifth Judicial District, where he drafted judicial orders and conducted legal research in juvenile law cases.

Zach earned his Juris Doctor from Drake University Law School in 2022. While in law school, he was awarded the Iowa Supreme Court Scholarship and participated in the Drake Criminal Defense Clinic, where he represented clients charged with offenses including assault, OWI, and drug possession. He completed his undergraduate studies at Iowa State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 2018.

Legal Practice and Industry Focus

Zach’s practice spans:

Criminal Defense (Felony and misdemeanor offenses, Drug crimes, OWI / DUI, Weapons charges, Robbery and burglary, Probation violations, and No-contact order and harassment restraining order violations)
Crimmigration (Defense of non-citizens facing criminal charges, and Navigating the intersection of criminal and immigration law)
Immigration Law (Asylum and related hearings, Marriage-based green cards, Employment-based green cards, Change of status, Naturalization interviews, and Removal defense)
Family Law (Divorce, Custody, Termination of Parental Rights, Mediation)
Civil Litigation (Fraud, Asset Recovery, Business Disputes, Personal Injury)

Zach is known for providing diligent, client-focused representation and for taking the time to understand each client’s circumstances, goals, and concerns. He regularly represents indigent clients through his contract with the Iowa State Public Defender’s Office in Polk County, as well as private clients facing complex criminal, immigration, and civil matters.

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Case Highlights

Criminal Defense

Successfully defended a client charged with Burglary in the Second Degree (Class B felony), securing a plea to a simple misdemeanor and avoiding a potential 25-year prison sentence.

Tried a case involving Assault While Displaying a Dangerous Weapon, Harassment in the First Degree, and False Imprisonment, resulting in jury verdicts on two low-level misdemeanors and a probationary sentence.

Achieved a jury acquittal for a client charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine) by successfully challenging the element of possession.

Immigration & Crimmigration

Represented clients in asylum interviews, master calendar hearings, and individual hearings, including advocacy for withholding of removal.

Assisted clients with marriage-based and employment-based green cards, adjustment of status, and naturalization applications.

Advised and defended non-citizen clients on the immigration consequences of criminal charges, navigating complex crimmigration issues.

Prepared clients for naturalization interviews and other USCIS proceedings.

Civil, Family & Juvenile Matters

Second-chaired a federal civil trial involving breach of contract claims against a Fortune 500 company.

Second-chaired a state civil trial involving personal injuries arising from faulty street design.

Represented parents in juvenile court proceedings, working toward reunification of families.

Assisted clients with civil litigation matters, including fraud, asset recovery, and contract disputes.