Jonathan Meyer, former General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has rejoined Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP as a partner in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. The news was announced in a press release from the firm yesterday. Meyer, who served in the Biden administration for nearly three years, will now lead Sheppard Mullin’s National Security team within its Governmental Practice group, bringing with him decades of experience in national security, law, and public policy.
Meyer’s return to Sheppard Mullin marks a significant addition to the firm’s National Security practice. With a career that spans both public and private sectors, Meyer brings unparalleled expertise in national security, cybersecurity, immigration, and regulatory law. His leadership at DHS, where he oversaw a legal team of approximately 4,000 attorneys across numerous agencies, including TSA, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and the Secret Service, positions him as one of the foremost experts in the intersection of law and government.
Meyer’s return to Sheppard Mullin is a homecoming, having previously served as a partner at the firm from 2016 to 2021 before being appointed by President Biden as General Counsel of DHS. During his tenure at DHS, Meyer played a pivotal role in navigating complex legal challenges, including matters of immigration, border security, cybersecurity, and international crises. Notably, he led the successful defense of the only impeachment of a sitting cabinet secretary in U.S. history, in addition to providing legal counsel during the Ukraine war and other global conflicts. His vast experience with high-stakes litigation at the Supreme Court and deep involvement in national security issues make him a valuable asset to Sheppard Mullin’s clients.
“We are delighted to welcome Jon back to the firm,” said Luca Salvi, chair of Sheppard Mullin. “He is a gifted strategist whose depth of experience, credentials and substantive abilities will make him an asset to clients facing the most difficult challenges.”
Meyer’s extensive government career also includes roles as Deputy General Counsel and Senior Counselor at DHS, Deputy Assistant Attorney General at the Department of Justice (DOJ), and Counsel to then-Senator Joe Biden on the Senate Judiciary Committee. He has been deeply involved in preparing witnesses for more than 100 Congressional hearings, including U.S. Supreme Court nomination hearings and impeachment proceedings, giving him unmatched insight into the workings of government investigations and oversight.
Meyer expressed his enthusiasm about returning to the firm: “I am thrilled to return home to Sheppard Mullin. The intersection of technology, national security and political crisis is increasingly a major concern for businesses across the country and globally. I look forward to working with colleagues throughout the firm to advise clients on effective defense strategies and guide them through interactions with regulators, overseers and policy makers.”
Meyer’s impressive career has earned him multiple awards, including the DHS Secretary’s Outstanding Service Medal (DHS’s highest civilian honor), the U.S. Secret Service Director’s Honor Award, and the U.S. Coast Guard Commandant’s Distinguished Service Medal.
Originally from Cincinnati and having spent part of his childhood in Jerusalem, Meyer is fluent in Hebrew and French. He holds an A.B. cum laude from Harvard College, an MPA from Princeton University, and a J.D. from Columbia University, where he was recognized as a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar. His legal and governmental expertise, combined with his global perspective, will continue to be an asset as he reenters private practice at Sheppard Mullin.