National Security Counsel for the Companies Shaping What Comes Next.
Senior national security legal counsel and strategic advisory for technology and AI companies. Founded by a former White House NSC and DOJ National Security Division official.
Or call 301-455-5099
Practice Areas
Fractional General Counsel
An embedded legal and strategic partner — not a transactional outside lawyer you call when things go wrong. 77 Meridian serves as your company's senior in-house counsel on a fixed monthly retainer, covering corporate governance, commercial contracts, regulatory compliance, and day-to-day operational risk.
Learn more →02International Investment & Trade Advisory
CFIUS advisory, export controls compliance, FOCI mitigation, and cross-border transaction risk assessment. For companies navigating the intersection of foreign investment and national security review.
Learn more →03Cybersecurity & Compliance
Insider threat assessment, foreign threat analysis, and sensitive data protection — working alongside company leadership and leveraging a network of Fortune 100 CISOs and former intelligence professionals.
Learn more →04Government Engagement & Contracting Strategy
Helping technology and AI companies build relationships with the defense and intelligence communities, navigate government procurement, and position for classified and unclassified contract opportunities.
Learn more →Global Challenges. Clear Direction.
The 77 Meridian Story
77 Meridian was founded on a straightforward premise: technology and AI companies operating in the national security space deserve the same caliber of counsel that the government itself relies on — delivered directly, not delegated.
DJ Rosenthal spent more than two decades at the highest levels of U.S. national security — at the White House National Security Council, the Department of Justice's National Security Division, and within the Intelligence Community. He argued before federal courts, advised on the most sensitive matters the government faces, and later built and led the CFIUS advisory practice at Kroll, one of the world's largest corporate investigations firms.
77 Meridian exists because the companies building the next generation of critical technology need more than a law firm they call when problems surface. They need a senior advisor who has sat in the rooms where these decisions are made — someone embedded in their operations, anticipating the regulatory and security challenges ahead, not reacting to them after the damage is done.
Led by DJ Rosenthal
- — Former senior official, White House National Security Council
- — Former official, U.S. Department of Justice, National Security Division
- — Former U.S. Intelligence Community
- — Founded the CFIUS advisory practice at Kroll
- — Fellow, National Security Institute, Antonin Scalia Law School
- — Published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Politico, The Atlantic, CNN, and Foreign Policy
Every engagement is led directly by DJ Rosenthal — not delegated to associates. Clients get senior-level counsel on every matter, every time.
Direct from Our Clients
““DJ Rosenthal is the rare attorney who combines genuine national security expertise with the thoroughness and trustworthiness you need when the stakes are high. He understands the landscape our business operates in, not just the legal dimensions, but the policy and threat environment that shapes every decision we make. Having DJ in our corner gives us confidence that we're getting the right advice, not just a legal memo.”
Bobby McKenzie, CEO, 10a Labs
““77 Meridian has become an indispensable part of how we operate. DJ handles our national security legal and policy questions with real depth and precision. But what sets him apart is that he's also a trusted strategic advisor and a steady hand when it matters most. He's helped us navigate everything from complex regulatory questions to critical business decisions. He's not just our lawyer; he's one of the most valuable advisors we have.”
John Maslin, CEO, Vulcan Elements
““I've known DJ Rosenthal for years as one of Washington's most serious national security minds. When we built the CFIUS and national security practice at Kroll together, I saw firsthand how deeply he thinks about these issues, from the law to policy, from geopolitics to the practical realities facing clients. He brings that same rare combination of rigor and judgment to everything he does at 77 Meridian. Companies navigating this space are fortunate to have him.”
Dan Karson, Former Chairman, Kroll
Representative Experience
International Investment & Trade Advisory
- ▸ Strategic Deal Analysis & Risk Assessment
- ▸ Due Diligence & CFIUS Assessment
- ▸ Third-Party Deal Evaluation
- ▸ Regulatory Strategy & Legal Support
- ▸ Counsel in CFIUS Litigation
Global Compliance & Security Services
- ▸ Third-Party Compliance Auditor
- ▸ CFIUS Mitigation Agreement Monitoring
- ▸ Export Control Program Assessment
Technology & National Security Leadership
- ▸ Strategic Advisory for Tech Companies
- ▸ Policy & Research Leadership
- ▸ Defense & Intelligence Market Positioning
Geopolitical Analysis & Strategic Communications
- ▸ Policy Analysis & Advisory
- ▸ Legislative & Public Affairs
- ▸ Crisis Communications Support
The 77 Meridian Difference
Truly Independent
77 Meridian is a boutique with no institutional conflicts. Advice is shaped by your interests alone — not by competing client relationships or firm revenue targets.
Discreet
National security work demands discretion. Every engagement is handled with the confidentiality and sensitivity the subject matter requires.
Bespoke
No two companies face the same regulatory landscape. Every engagement is tailored to the specific operational, legal, and strategic context of the client.
Experience at the Right Levels
DJ Rosenthal has held senior positions at the NSC, DOJ, and the Intelligence Community. This is experience at the decision-making level — not from the periphery.
Direct Engagement
Every matter is handled personally by DJ. No delegation to associates. No partner-to-junior handoff. The person you hire is the person who does the work.
Consistent Quality
A fixed team led by one principal means consistent judgment across every engagement. No learning curves. No onboarding delays.
Nimble
A lean firm moves faster than a large one. 77 Meridian can respond to urgent matters in hours, not days, without navigating internal bureaucracy.
Efficient
Fixed retainer pricing eliminates the overhead of hourly billing — and the perverse incentive to run up hours. Clients get proactive counsel, not reactive invoices.
Tailored Expertise
77 Meridian draws on a curated network of former FBI agents, Fortune 100 CISOs, and crisis communications professionals. The right specialist is brought in when the engagement demands it.
The 77 Meridian Approach
77 Meridian operates as an embedded extension of your leadership team — not as outside counsel you bring in after the fact. The approach combines deep government experience with a network of elite specialists, activated as each engagement demands.
Due Diligence & Investigations
Background investigations and risk assessments led by former FBI agents and intelligence professionals.
Cyber Risk Assessments & Security
Threat modeling and vulnerability assessment conducted by former Fortune 100 CISOs.
Advanced Threat Analysis
Geopolitical risk assessment, foreign adversary analysis, and strategic threat intelligence.
Strategic & Crisis Communications
Seasoned crisis communications professionals for matters intersecting public affairs and media.