Practice

National Security

Helping You Navigate National Security with Confidence

We guide clients through the ever-evolving, complex national security landscape, with its evolving risks and sensitive government issues.

Our practical, bipartisan National Security lawyers offer insightful solutions for challenges at the intersection of law, technology, policy and national security.

Deep Agency Experience and a Proactive Approach

With decades of experience in agencies, on Capitol Hill, and in the private sector, we provide practical guidance, whether in national security investigations and prosecutions or classified bid protests.

Led by the former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) General Counsel, our team is uniquely equipped to advise clients across the national security spectrum—including interactions with the White House, all major federal agencies (DOJ, DOD, DHS, ODNI, NRO, NSA, FBI, CIA, DOE, DISA), state governments and both houses of Congress. Many of our lawyers hold top-level security clearances and bring extensive government experience. 

Our broad, cross-government perspective helps us identify national security issues others may overlook. We support clients from the beginning of an exploratory inquiry, through internal investigations, disclosures to government agencies and formal proceedings before agencies and Congress, as well as oversight hearings, civil litigation and criminal investigations and prosecution, if necessary. Our real-time monitoring ensures practical, timely guidance on rapidly changing issues. 

Read More

Areas of Focus

Foreign Investment and Trade
We guide clients through the regulatory complexities of foreign investment including CFIUS, ICTS and Team Telecom reviews. Our team provides due diligence and strategic advice to help clients achieve successful outcomes in transactions with national security implications. 
Cybersecurity and State-Sponsored Threats
Helping companies navigate complex data security issues and respond to cyberattacks with national security implications, we counsel clients on cybersecurity best practices and through interactions with law enforcement, forensic investigations and crisis communications. Members have decades of experience managing these threats in both government and private industry. 
National Security Investigations
We help clients navigate internal and external investigations involving insider threats, compromised facilities or commercial espionage. Our experience allows us to manage these situations skillfully, protecting client interests during interactions with law enforcement and the intelligence community. 
Artificial Intelligence and Technology
AI is transforming national security, generating new laws and regulations for companies developing or using these technologies. We help businesses navigate shifting government policies, address regulatory risks—such as export controls, privacy, and supply chain issues—and unlock opportunities for innovation and collaboration with government entities, ensuring compliance and protecting business interests in an evolving environment. 
Government Contracts
We are a national leader in classified and sensitive government contracts, guiding clients through bids, compliance, disputes, investigations and securing supply chains. Combining our recognized expertise in both government contracts and national security, we deliver efficient, tailored solutions across industries. Our team—many with security clearances—defends interests, facilitates transactions and collaborates with government to achieve strong results in a complex, highly regulated market. 
Organizational Integrity Group
Boards and leadership teams rely on Sheppard’s Organizational Integrity Group for direct, interdisciplinary strategies that solve complex compliance challenges. By applying evidence-based and values-driven approaches, we help clients anticipate, manage and mitigate organizational risk, supporting sustainable integrity and resilience across regulated sectors. 
Learn More

Experience

Representative Matters
  • Team Leader Jon Meyer spent over 20 years in public service working on national security issues at DOJ and DHS, in the United States Senate, and at Amtrak, culminating in three years as the Senate-confirmed General Counsel of DHS, where he:
    • Spearheaded the legal response to attempted espionage by foreign powers
    • Counseled our country’s leaders on responses to domestic and international terrorism
    • Led the team providing legal advice on CFIUS, ICTS and Team Telecom
    • Advised DHS leadership on its responses to international crises, including the Ukraine war, the Middle East conflict and Chinese espionage
    • Headed investigations into the events of January 6th and the attempted assassination of a former President
    • Led the legal team advising CISA and Department leadership on cybersecurity and AI
    • Read into compartmented information known to only a handful of officials across the U.S. government
  • Other prior government experience on our team includes:
    • Leading a White House security review after a small plane crashed on the White House lawn.
    • Investigating the raid on the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas.
  • Represented aerospace and defense contractor in insider threat investigation involving potential willful retention and/or disclosure of national defense information by a now-former employee. Advised with respect to internal and forensic investigation, disclosure and cooperation with various U.S. law enforcement and regulatory authorities, as well as crisis communications, public relations, SEC reporting and other related matters.
  • Represented defense contractor in connection with allegations that an employee may be a national of a foreign adversary impersonating a U.S. person to obtain employment and access to systems. Conducted internal and forensic investigation and advised regarding disclosure to relevant U.S. authorities and cooperation with national security investigation.
  • Represented defense and intelligence contractor in connection with repeated cyber intrusions by suspected foreign state actors. Conducted internal investigation including advice regarding forensic review and remediation and system hardening, disclosure and cooperation with U.S. law enforcement, notification requirements and collateral matters.
  • Representing large financial firm in connection with acquisition of company in nascent industry implicating national security law and risk. Advising regarding pre- and post-acquisition due diligence, investigation and development execution of government engagement plan to garner regulatory and law enforcement support and partnership.
  • Defended a leading provider of national security background investigation service for the U.S. intelligence community against multiple federal investigations, including criminal claims, civil False Claims Act allegations, multiple congressional inquiries and an agency administrative (suspension/debarment) action. 
  • Responded to numerous data breaches, including the state-sponsored mega-breach of account information at a major internet company, the breach of personnel data at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the breach of a contractor to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and cyber incident and business email compromise matters impacting Department of Defense contractors.
  • Handled investigation into suspicious activity stemming from a Russian domain for U.S. defense contractor.
  • Defended scores of Congressional investigations on national security matters and prepared witnesses for over 100 hearings, including homeland security oversight hearings, investigative hearings into security breaches, Supreme Court nomination hearings, impeachment hearings, high tech and antitrust investigations, and civil rights investigations, among others.