Jonathan E. Meyer

Jonathan Meyer is a partner in the Governmental Practice Group and leads the firm’s National Security team. He counsels clients on their interactions with federal and state government, as well as national and homeland security, Congressional oversight, cybersecurity, AI, high tech, and transportation security, among other issues.

Prior to returning to Sheppard Mullin, Jon was nominated by President Biden and confirmed by the Senate as the Sixth General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, serving from 2021 to 2024. As General Counsel, Jon was the chief legal officer and chief regulatory policy officer of the 260,000-person Department, providing legal counsel to the Secretary and senior leaders while leading the approximately 4,000 attorneys who serve across the Department. Jon led the DHS legal team in litigating numerous cases in the Supreme Court and groundbreaking matters in the areas of immigration, cybersecurity, regulatory law, and border security; advised the Department and the White House on classified and sensitive national security issues; spearheaded investigations into the events of January 6^th, the attempted assassination of a former President, and other front-page crises; and led the successful defense and dismissal of the only impeachment of a sitting Cabinet Secretary in U.S. history. He also advised DHS leadership on its responses to international crises, including the Ukraine war, the Middle East conflict, and Chinese espionage.

Jon’s decades of experience in Congress, the Justice Department and DHS position him to bring an insider’s perspective to interactions between private companies and the government. His vast experience in government includes working in both chambers of Congress, on both sides of the aisle, in two of the government’s largest and most important Cabinet departments, in-house at a highly regulated entity, as well as in private practice.

Jon has defended scores of Congressional investigations and has prepared witnesses for over 100 hearings, including Supreme Court nomination hearings, impeachment hearings, oversight hearings, high tech and antitrust investigations, and civil rights investigations, among others. He has also represented defendants and witnesses in high-stakes Justice Department criminal investigations.

Jon is regularly sought out by the media – including CBS News, NPR, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post and Politico – on issues including national security, homeland security, government investigations, cybersecurity, immigration, politics and Congress.

Jon is a two-time recipient of the Secretary of Homeland Security’s Outstanding Service Medal, DHS’s highest civilian honor, along with the U.S. Secret Service Director’s Honor Award, the Customs and Border Protection Commissioner’s Ensign Award, and the U.S. Coast Guard Commandant’s Distinguished Service Medal, among numerous other awards and honors.

Experience

Select Private Sector Representations:

• Represented key government employee in DOJ and IG investigation.
• Represented former government official in national security investigation and prosecution.
• Represented witness in special counsel investigation.
• Advised internet service provider on response to one of the largest data breaches in history.
• Counseled major government contractors on multiple data breaches.
• Advised classified contractor on security breaches.
• Advised major foreign bank on U.S. data security laws.
• Assisted major restaurant chain in avoiding congressional oversight testimony.
• Advised government contractors on new data security requirements.
• Advised major media company on border search authorities overseas.
• Advised companies and high-net worth individuals on immigration issues.
• Represented witness before the Office of Special Counsel.
• Advised two ephemeral messaging companies regarding novel legal issues.
• Advised information technology provider on cybersecurity insurance.
• Advised data analytics firm regarding congressional scrutiny and government contracts.

Honors

Two-time recipient, Secretary of Homeland Security’s Outstanding Service Medal, DHS’s highest civilian honor

U.S. Coast Guard Commandant’s Distinguished Service Medal

U.S. Secret Service Director’s Honor Award

Customs and Border Protection Commissioner’s Ensign Award

Department of Justice Award for Outstanding and Dedicated Service

Recognized for Privacy and Data Security, Best Lawyers, 2021

Legal 500 US, Cyber Law, 2017, 2020-2021

Legal 500, Government Contracts, 2017

Articles

Media Appearances

"Homeland Security General Counsel on Agency Priorities," American Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and National Security, C-SPAN, 05.29.24

"Nomination Hearing," U.S. Senate, 05.27.21

"Trump Expands ‘Operation Legend’," BBC World News, 07.28.20

Corporate & Securities Law Blog 

• "Sheppard Submits Comments to Main Street Loan Program," April 17, 2020

• "UPDATED: Checklist for CARES Act Assistance to Companies," April 7, 2020
• "Checklist for CARES Act Assistance to Companies," April 1, 2020

Global Trade Law Blog

• "Securing the U.S. Bulk Power System: An Assessment of Executive Order 13920," May 12, 2020
• "Confused by the Evolving Travel Ban? Here’s a Cheat Sheet with the Latest Guidance," November 15, 2017 

Latin American Blog

• "Will U.S. Customs & Border Protection Admit Your Foreign Visitor? How to Avoid that Sunday Evening Phone Call from CBP," November 6, 2018 
• "Travel Ban: Déjà Vu All Over Again, Again," October 23, 2017 

Government Contracts Law Blog

• "COVID-19 Enforcement Trends One Year Into the Pandemic," March 30, 2021

• "IoT Legislation Advances in Congress," September 29, 2020

• "Key Provisions in the Senate Stimulus Bill," March 26, 2020
• "CMMC Version 1.0: Enhancing DOD’s Supply Chain Cybersecurity," February 27, 2020
• "GSA Implements Restrictions on Certain Chinese-Made Telecommunications Services and Equipment," September 27, 2019 
• "Effective Last Month! – DoD’s Implementation of New FAR Prohibitions on Chinese Telecommunications Equipment and Services in Government Contracts," September 5, 2019 
• "Effective Immediately! – FAR Amended to Include Prohibition on Chinese Telecommunications Equipment and Services in Government Contracts," August 13, 2019 
• "New Executive Order To Further Restrict Business with Huawei and Other Foreign Adversaries Engaged in Cyber Espionage," May 20, 2019
• "The List of Forbidden Products Grows: The NDAA’s Prohibitions on Use of Certain Chinese-Made Equipment," November 28, 2018
• "Don’t Be Fooled: Seven Myths About Congressional Oversight," November 15, 2018 
• "In January, Will You be Able to Board Your Domestic Flight With Your Current Driver’s License?" November 10, 2017 
• "The Travel Ban – A Quick Update," July 27, 2017
• "Dear Congress: Your District Needs a New E-4 Visa for Promising Entrepreneurs," June 28, 2017
• "Buy American and Hire American - New Executive Order Promises to Put American Workers First, But Practical Impacts Remain Unclear," April, 24 2017

FCC Law Blog Posts

• "FCC Issues New Privacy Rules for Internet Service Providers: Safeguarding Consumers or Lulling Them Into A False Sense of Privacy?," November 1, 2016

French Desk Blog Posts

• "U.S. Government Assistance in Response to COVID-19: Investigations Are Coming," June 16, 2020

Labor and Employment Law Blog Posts

• "What Does the Supreme Court DACA Decision Mean for DACA Employers and Employees?," June 26, 2020
• "How the New Presidential Proclamation Regarding Non-Immigrant Visas Affects Your Company," June 23, 2020
• "The Latest Turn in the Travel Ban Road," November 15, 2017
• "Dear Congress: Your District Needs a New E-4 Visa for Promising Entrepreneurs," July 5, 2017
• "The Travel Ban – A Quick Update," July 5, 2017
• "Sheppard Mullin Travel Advisory and Immigration Update," February 2, 2017

Eye On Privacy Blog Posts

• "NIST Finalizes Guidance on Security and Privacy Control Baselines – SP 800-53B," November 6, 2020

• "Israel Follows Europe’s Lead on Privacy Shield," October 12, 2020

• "NIST Issues Long-Awaited Final Guidance on Security and Privacy Controls – SP 800-53," October 2, 2020

• "NIST Issues Draft Guidance on Security and Privacy Control Baselines – SP 800-53B," August 6, 2020

• "NIST Proposes Draft Enhanced Security Requirements for Protecting CUI," July 28, 2020

• "CISA Issues First Installment of Cyber Essentials," June 2, 2020

• "FTC Provides Direction on AI Technology," May 5, 2020

• "CMMC Version 1.0: Enhancing DOD’s Supply Chain Cybersecurity," February 12, 2020

• "Iran’s Imminent Cybersecurity Threat," January 7, 2020
• "Talk About Ironic: Brexit Group Fined Under EU-Related Privacy Regulations," February 19, 2019 
• "Cyber Concerns Lead to EU Recall of a Connected Kids Devices," February 13, 2019 
• "Court Finds Cybersecurity-Related Claims Sufficient in Securities Class Action," February 6, 2019 
• "Year In Review: Eye on Privacy 2018," January 28, 2019 
• "Pass It On: Locks Don’t Prevent Leaks," January 9, 2019 
• "When the U.S. Government Declares Companies Cyber-Insecure, We Should All Pay Attention," January 7, 2019 
• "FTC Seeks Comment on Fundamental Privacy Enforcement Issues," August 10, 2018 
• "DOJ Report Suggests Direction For Addressing Cyber Threats," August 8, 2018 
• "FTC Pursuing, and Getting More Specific, About Privacy Post-LabMD Finding," July 18, 2018 
• "FTC Signals that It Will Enforce Statements of GDPR Compliance," July 3, 2018 
• "DHS Releases New Cybersecurity Strategy," May 21, 2018 
• "White House Eliminates Top Cybersecurity Position," May 18, 2018 
• "Dawn of the New FTC," May 9, 2018 
• "Crypto-Crime: The SEC and DOJ Go After BitFunder and Its BitFounder," March 5, 2018  
• "SEC Takes Baby Steps on Cyber, but Signals Greater Vigilance," February 27, 2018 
• "Justice Department Creates Cyber-Digital Task Force," February 26, 2018 
• "The Encryption Battle Will Continue in 2018," January 16, 2018 
• "2018 Likely a Year of Rising Government Standards for Securing Information," January 10, 2018 
• "2017 Saw Ransomware on the Rise – 2018 Will See Even More," January 8, 2018 
• "Will 2018 Bring Developments in Government Access to Electronic Records?" January 4, 2018 
• "Cybersecurity in the First Year of the Trump Administration," December 27, 2017 
• "Lessons Learned from Cyber Awareness Month – Part Four," November 27, 2017 
• "Lessons Learned from Cyber Awareness Month – Part Three," November 20, 2017 
• "Lessons Learned from Cyber Awareness Month -Part Two," November 16, 2017 
• "CFPB Provides Guidance on Consumer Data Protection," November 14, 2017 
• "Lessons Learned from Cyber Awareness Month – Part One," November 13, 2017 
• "Sabre Cyber Breach: New Developments," July 10, 2017
• "The Supreme Court Reenters the Fray on Privacy," June 9, 2017

Media Mentions

Speaking Engagements

• "Legislative and Regulatory Outlook for Homeland Security," Panel Moderator, Homeland Security Law Institute, American Bar Association, May 31, 2019
• Vice Chair and speaker, Homeland Security Law Institute, American Bar Association, May 31, 2019
• "National Security and Cyber-Attacks," Panel at Incident Response Forum 2018, April 18, 2018
• "Cybersecurity in an Age of Uncertainty: U.S.-Israel Perspectives," Panel at American University, March 21, 2017
• "Fighting Terrorism," Public Affairs Week 2017 address, Marxe School of Public and International Affairs, Baruch College, March 20, 2017
• "Cybersecurity in 2017: What In-House Counsel Need to Know," Panel Moderator, Association of Corporate Counsel of Southern California, January 26, 2017
• “[Un]Building Walls: Finding Our Place in Today’s Global Community,” Panel at Harvard University, October 15, 2016
• “Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities: What Are the Rules of the Road for Finding Them, Sharing Them, and Fixing Them?” Panel for Federal Communications Bar Association, September 22, 2016
• "General Counsel’s Panel," Homeland Security Law Institute, American Bar Association, August 28, 2015
• “Remarks on the Importance of Government Intellectual Property,” DHS Patent Award Ceremony, June 16, 2015
• “The Challenges of Homeland Security: A National Perspective,” Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics, Rider University, April 13, 2015
• “Legal Basis for Public Administration,” Master’s program in Public Policy, American University, November 4, 2014
• "The Fundamentals of Congressional Oversight," multiple dates and locales
• "The Work of the DHS Office of General Counsel," University of California, Berkeley, Semester in Washington program, Fall 2011
• "The Work of Personal and Committee Staff," multiple dates and locales
• Panel on "Judicial Nominations," National Jewish Democratic Council, 2008

Events

Digital Media