JonathanE.Meyer

PartnerLeader, National Security Team
LANGUAGES
French, Hebrew
Jonathan Meyer

Overview

Jonathan Meyer is the former general counsel of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a former senior official at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and former acting chief counsel at the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. He leads Sheppard’s National Security team and focuses his practice on national security, government investigations and other high-stakes matters involving the federal government.

Counseling clients on interactions with federal and state authorities, Jon advises on homeland security, regulatory policy, border security, immigration enforcement, data security, transportation security, congressional oversight and the legislative process. Experience at the highest levels of government enables him to assess enforcement risk, anticipate investigative strategy and guide clients through politically sensitive matters.

As general counsel of DHS, Jon was the chief legal and regulatory policy officer of the department, providing legal counsel to the secretary and senior leaders while directing a team of approximately 4,000 attorneys. That experience informs his advice to companies, executives and institutions facing scrutiny from regulators, prosecutors and lawmakers.

With extensive experience defending congressional investigations, Jon has prepared more than 100 witnesses for congressional hearings, including Supreme Court confirmation, impeachment, oversight, high tech, antitrust and civil rights proceedings. He has also represented defendants and witnesses in high-stakes DOJ criminal and civil investigations.

In addition to the National Security team, Jon co-leads the firm’s Congressional Investigations and Immigration Enforcement teams. He created Sheppard’s highly praised Executive Actions Tracker, which provided text, analysis and summaries of executive actions in the first year of the Trump Administration.


Experience

Investigations

  • 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.
  • Assisted major restaurant chain and private equity company in avoiding congressional oversight testimony.
  • Represented domestic company in customs duty investigation and litigation.
  • Advised major company on immigration fraud investigation.

Cybersecurity and Data Security

  • 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 foreign company on compliance with DOJ Bulk Data Rule.
  • Advised major foreign bank on U.S. data security laws.
  • Advised government contractors on new data security requirements.
  • 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.

Border Security and Search Authority

  • Advised major media company on border search authorities overseas.
  • Assisted multiple individuals with border crossing and air travel issues.

Immigration

  • Advised companies and high-net worth individuals on immigration issues.

General Counsel, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (2021-2024)

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 U.S. 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 6th, the attempted assassination of the president of the United States, 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 served as DHS’s chief legal advisor for the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) and advised DHS leadership on its responses to international crises, including the Ukraine war, the Middle East conflict and Chinese espionage.

Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal Policy (2000-2001, 2009-2011)

  • Spearheaded drafting and legislative consideration of the Innocence Protection Act.
  • Analyzed tort reform proposals and represented DOJ in legislative meetings on the topic.
  • Oversaw all vetting, nomination and confirmation of dozens of federal judges, including two Supreme Court justices.

Chair and Acting Chief Counsel, United States Senate Judiciary Committee (2001-2007)

  • Advised Senator Joseph Biden on all civil justice issues, judicial and executive nominations (including three Supreme Court nominations), and homeland security in the wake of 9/11.

Credentials
Education

J.D., Columbia University Law School, 1992, Stone Scholar

M.P.A., Princeton University, 1992

B.A., Harvard University, 1986, cum laude

Admissions

District of Columbia

New York

Honors
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.
Legal 500 Recommended Lawyer 2025
Thought Leadership
Jon is regularly sought out by the media – including  CBS News,  NPR,  The Wall Street Journal,  The New York Times,  The Washington Post,  CNN,  MSNOW  and  Politico – on issues including national security, homeland security, government investigations, cybersecurity, immigration, politics and Congress.