Former Department of Homeland Security Deputy General Counsel Jonathan Meyer Joins Sheppard Mullin Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - September 20, 2016) - Jonathan E. Meyer has joined the Washington, D.C. office of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP as a partner in the firm's Government Contracts, Investigations & International Trade practice group and as a member of the Privacy & Cybersecurity Team.

Meyer's move to private practice follows a distinguished career in government service. Most recently, he was Deputy General Counsel at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) where he supervised several hundred attorneys, including attorneys at the U.S. Secret Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the U.S. Coast Guard. During his six-year tenure, he advised on some of the highest profile matters the agency has encountered, particularly in the areas of cybersecurity, encryption, transportation security, border security and drones. Meyer was the Department's point man on Congressional investigations, internal investigations and sensitive litigation. In addition, he oversaw several groups of attorneys at DHS headquarters, including the Regulations Law Division, the Legal Counsel Division (which includes litigation, legislation, civil rights and civil liberties, and privacy), the Science and Technology lawyers and the Intelligence Law Group.

"We are pleased to welcome Jon to the firm," said Guy N. Halgren, Chairman of the firm. "With the growing importance of our clients' interactions with the federal government, Jon's unique experience will be invaluable to clients across multiple practice groups and industries. His collaborative style and work ethic mesh with our culture perfectly."

Laura Jehl, co-leader of Sheppard Mullin's Privacy & Cybersecurity Team, commented, "Cyberattacks are becoming more frequent, more sophisticated and more costly, and are a top threat to businesses today. Companies must ensure their cybersecurity measures protect their data and comply with a rapidly-growing list of regulatory requirements. Jon's experience handling highly sensitive matters at senior levels of government makes him ideally qualified to advise clients on effective defense strategies, and to guide them through interactions with regulators and policy makers. I look forward to working closely with him here in Washington."

Previously, Meyer served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Office of Legal Policy at the U.S. Department of Justice, Special Deputy General Counsel at Amtrak, and Counsel to Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr., on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Earlier, he worked in private practice for seven years as a litigator and corporate lawyer, as well as an aide to Congressman Bill Gradison of Ohio.

"I look forward to returning to private practice and am thrilled to join Sheppard Mullin. Cybercrime is a major concern for Boards, management, and regulators, so the need for cybersecurity solutions is greater than ever. I am impressed with the firm's dedication to continue to grow its Cybersecurity practice, and I look forward to collaborating with talented attorneys across the firm," Meyer commented.

Originally from Cincinnati, Meyer spent much of his childhood in Jerusalem, Israel, and speaks fluent Hebrew and French. He earned a J.D. from Columbia University, an M.A. in Public Affairs from Princeton University and a B.A. from Harvard College.

Sheppard Mullin has 70 attorneys based in its Washington, D.C. office. The firm's Government Contracts practice includes more than 50 attorneys firmwide.

Sheppard Mullin's Washington, D.C. office also recently welcomed Labor & Employment partner Garen Dodge from Jackson Lewis, Corporate partner Michael Paddock from Pillsbury Winthrop, and Government Contracts, Investigations & International Trade partner Bob Rhoad from Crowell & Moring.

About Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

Sheppard Mullin is a full service Global 100 firm with 770 attorneys in 15 offices located in the United States, Europe and Asia. Since 1927, companies have turned to Sheppard Mullin to handle corporate and technology matters, high stakes litigation and complex financial transactions. In the U.S., the firm's clients include more than half of the Fortune 100. For more information, please visit www.sheppardmullin.com.