Meta Platforms has announced the appointment of C.J. Mahoney as its new Chief Legal Officer. Mahoney, a seasoned legal executive, transitions from Microsoft, where he held a senior legal position. He will assume his new role at Meta on Wednesday, reporting directly to CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
Mahoney succeeds Jennifer Newstead, who is departing Meta to become the General Counsel at Apple. Newstead's departure concludes a significant chapter for Meta's legal team, marked by victories in major legal battles, including those against the FTC concerning the acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp.
Zuckerberg expressed enthusiasm about Mahoney's arrival, highlighting his "world-class legal expertise, passion for frontier technology, and deep insight into the global regulatory challenges facing our industry". Mahoney also conveyed his excitement about joining Meta, with a focus on spearheading innovations in artificial intelligence (AI) and strengthening global connections.
Mahoney's responsibilities at Meta will include overseeing the company's global legal strategy. He will address ongoing regulatory and scrutiny challenges pertaining to antitrust, data privacy, online safety, and the protection of children and adolescents. These are critical areas as Meta faces increasing criticism and lawsuits regarding its handling of young users on its platforms.
Prior to joining Microsoft, Mahoney served as the Deputy U.S. Trade Representative during President Trump's first term. While at Microsoft, Mahoney held the position of Corporate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel. In 2021, he joined Microsoft as Deputy General Counsel for U.S. International Trade and Azure, focusing on sanctions and export control compliance, international trade policy, and government regulations related to Azure. By 2025, Mahoney was named General Counsel, overseeing Microsoft's product portfolio and commercial business.
Mahoney's diverse background in both the technology sector and the U.S. government is expected to be a valuable asset to Meta. His experience includes serving as the Deputy United States Trade Representative for Investment, Services, Labor, Environment, Africa, China, and the Western Hemisphere. Before his government service, Mahoney was a partner at the law firm of Williams & Connolly LLP, where he specialized in international commercial arbitration, white-collar defense, and First Amendment law.
The appointment of Mahoney comes at a crucial time for Meta, as the company navigates a complex legal and regulatory landscape. His expertise is expected to help Meta tackle challenges related to data privacy, antitrust concerns, and ensuring user safety across its platforms.
