Apple has announced a major reshuffling of its executive leadership team. The company confirmed that Jennifer Newstead, formerly the Chief Legal Officer at Meta, will be joining Apple to take over the reins as General Counsel. This transition comes alongside news that two long-standing executives, Kate Adams and Lisa Jackson, are planning their retirements in the coming year.
Jennifer Newstead is set to join Apple as a Senior Vice President in January, reporting directly to CEO Tim Cook. She will officially assume the role of General Counsel on March 1, 2026. Newstead brings a powerhouse resume to the table, having previously served as the Chief Legal Officer at Meta and holding several high-profile government positions, including Legal Adviser of the U.S. Department of State. Her new role at Apple will eventually expand to include “Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Government Affairs,” reflecting a consolidation of these two critical departments.
Current General Counsel Kate Adams, who has been a key figure at Apple since 2017, will be stepping down from her legal duties in March to facilitate this transition. However, she isn’t leaving just yet. Adams will continue to oversee the Government Affairs organization until late 2026, ensuring a smooth handover before her official retirement. Tim Cook praised Adams for her “sound counsel” and “deeply strategic mind,” highlighting her role in advocating for user privacy and protecting Apple’s right to innovate over the last eight years.
Lisa Jackson, Apple’s Vice President for Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives, will be retiring sooner, with her departure scheduled for late January 2026. Jackson has been the face of Apple’s environmental efforts, helping reduce the company’s greenhouse emissions by over 60 percent. With her departure, her responsibilities will be split: the Government Affairs team will move under the Legal organization (first to Adams, then Newstead), while the Environment and Social Initiatives teams will report to Apple’s Chief Operating Officer, Sabih Khan.
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