Meta Taps Ex-Microsoft Exec Mahoney as Top Lawyer

Meta Platforms has announced the appointment of C.J. Mahoney as its new chief legal officer. Mahoney, a seasoned legal executive with a background in both the technology sector and U.S. government, will assume his new role on Wednesday, directly reporting to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Mahoney's prior experience includes serving as Microsoft's senior legal executive and as a deputy U.S. trade representative during President Donald Trump's first term. Zuckerberg highlighted Mahoney's "world-class legal expertise, passion for frontier technology, and deep insight into the global regulatory challenges facing our industry."

The transition follows Meta's former chief legal officer, Jennifer Newstead, announcing her departure late last year to join Apple as general counsel in March. Meta is currently facing considerable pressure from advocacy groups and ongoing lawsuits related to user safety, particularly concerning minors.