Meta's top lawyer behind its FTC victory announces departure to Apple in internal memo

Jennifer Newstead, the top legal executive at Meta, is set to leave the company to take on the role of general counsel at Apple. Newstead, who has guided Meta through high-profile regulatory challenges including a key antitrust victory against the FTC, will oversee Apples legal and government affairs teams.

As part of Apples executive restructuring, Newstead will start in January as a senior vice president reporting directly to CEO Tim Cook. She will officially become general counsel on March 1, 2026, taking over from longtime legal head Kate Adams, who plans to retire later next year.

Apple also announced that Lisa Jackson, vice president for Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives, will retire in late January 2026. Following her departure, Jacksons Government Affairs division will temporarily report to Adams and then to Newstead, while the environmental and social initiatives teams will move under Chief Operating Officer Sabih Khan, consolidating legal and government operations under Newstead once the transition is complete.

Newsteads move marks another swap in leadership between Apple and Meta. Recently, Meta recruited Apples longtime human interface design chief, Alan Dye, to become Metas chief design officer later this year.

During her tenure at Meta since 2019, Newstead has managed the companys most sensitive legal matters, including its landmark FTC antitrust case where a federal judge blocked the agencys attempt to force Meta to divest Instagram and WhatsApp. She has also navigated evolving privacy regulations, international data transfer rules, and legal issues related to content moderation and elections.

Before joining Meta, Newstead served as legal advisor to the U.S. State Department, a Senate-confirmed role where she led the team providing counsel on foreign policy matters.

In her internal memo announcing her departure, Newstead expressed gratitude to Meta leadership and her colleagues, highlighting the accomplishments of the legal team and reflecting on her career at the company:

"After six and a half years at this remarkable company, I have made the difficult decision to leave Meta at the end of this year to pursue my next adventure. Serving as Meta's Chief Legal Officer has been a privilege. I am proud of the exceptional work of Metas legal team and grateful for the support of leadership and colleagues who have made this journey meaningful. Next year, I will join Apple as Senior Vice President, serving as General Counsel and overseeing Government Affairs, a unique opportunity to continue shaping legal and policy issues globally."

Newsteads departure represents a significant transition for Meta, as she has been central to the companys legal strategy and regulatory victories over the past several years.

Sources:

• Read the internal memo that Meta's top lawyer behind its FTC victory sent announcing she's leaving for Apple

Author: Grace Ellison
Grace Ellison is a journalist focusing on environmental issues and sustainability. She has experience publishing international reports and participating in documentary projects.