Meta appoints Microsoft executive and former Trump deputy as new chief legal officer

• Mahoney most recently served as Microsoft's corporate vice president and general counsel for product, services and go-to-market legal, a role he assumed in 2025 after joining the company in 2021
• He previously served as deputy U.S. trade representative during President Trump's first term in the White House
• Meta is currently facing a wave of child-safety lawsuits, including an ongoing case in New Mexico alleging the company failed to protect children from harm on its platforms

Meta Appoints Former Microsoft Executive as Chief Legal Officer

Meta announced Tuesday the appointment of Curtis Joseph Mahoney as its new chief legal officer, replacing Jennifer Newstead, who is departing to become Apple's general counsel in March after announcing her exit in December.

Key Appointment Details:

Mahoney joins Meta from Microsoft, where he most recently served as corporate vice president and general counsel for product, services, and go-to-market legal. He initially joined Microsoft in 2021 as deputy general counsel, focusing on trade and Azure cloud business, before becoming general counsel in 2025. Prior to his Microsoft tenure, Mahoney served as deputy U.S. trade representative during President Donald Trump's first term.

Timing and Context:

The appointment comes as Meta faces significant legal challenges, particularly a wave of child-safety lawsuits nationwide. This includes an ongoing case in New Mexico where the state's attorney general alleged Meta failed to protect children from harm on its platforms.

Leadership Perspective:

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg praised Mahoney's "world-class legal expertise, passion for frontier technology, and deep insight into the global regulatory challenges facing our industry." Mahoney expressed enthusiasm about joining Meta during its AI innovation leadership phase.

Market Implications:

The hire signals Meta's strategic focus on strengthening its legal capabilities amid mounting regulatory pressures and litigation. Mahoney's experience in international trade policy and technology sector regulation positions him to navigate complex global regulatory environments as Meta continues expanding its AI initiatives and social media platforms. The appointment reflects the ongoing movement of senior legal talent among major tech companies.