Skadden Hires Sequoia Capital Chief Policy Officer as Tech Policy Head
On September 9, 2025, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP announced the return of Don Vieira as a partner in its Washington, D.C. office, where he will lead the firm’s newly established tech policy practice. Vieira, previously the chief legal and policy officer at global venture capital giant Sequoia Capital, brings extensive expertise in navigating regulatory challenges for tech companies, including emerging technologies, national security, and cross-border deals. This hire underscores Skadden’s push to bolster its advisory services amid intensifying scrutiny on AI, data privacy, and antitrust issues in the tech sector.
Key Details of the Hire
- Role and Responsibilities: As head of the tech policy practice, Vieira will advise clients on regulatory enforcement, policy advocacy, and high-stakes litigation involving technologies like AI, cybersecurity, and intellectual property. His focus will include interactions with U.S. agencies such as the FTC, DOJ, and CFIUS (Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States), drawing on his prior government experience.
- Compensation and Terms: While specifics were not disclosed, Vieira’s return to Skadden positions him at partner level, likely with equity and performance-based incentives typical for lateral hires in Big Law firms.
- Location: Based in Washington, D.C., Vieira will work from Skadden’s offices there, enhancing the firm’s proximity to policymakers on Capitol Hill and federal regulators.
Background on Don Vieira
Vieira’s career spans government service, private practice, and venture capital, making him a unique fit for Skadden’s ambitions in tech policy:
- Sequoia Capital (2019–2025): As chief legal and policy officer, Vieira founded Sequoia’s D.C. office and led global policy efforts, counseling portfolio companies (e.g., in fintech, AI, and biotech) on regulatory hurdles. He served as a counselor to the managing partner and engaged on issues like cryptocurrency, antitrust, and foreign investment.
- Skadden (Pre-2019): Vieira was a partner at Skadden, specializing in national security and regulatory law, where he handled CFIUS reviews and international transactions.
- Government Roles: From 2009–2011, he was chief of staff for the DOJ’s National Security Division and counselor to the Assistant Attorney General for National Security, overseeing hundreds of CFIUS cases. Earlier, he served as deputy chief counsel and staff director for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, leading classified probes.
- Education and Honors: A Georgetown University Law Center J.D. graduate, Vieira has received accolades including the 2011 Attorney General Award for Exceptional Service and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s Award for Community Excellence.
This move marks Vieira’s full-circle return to Skadden after six years at Sequoia, where he transitioned from law firm partner to in-house policy leader.
Broader Implications
- For Skadden: The firm, already a powerhouse in M&A and regulatory work, is expanding its tech footprint to compete with rivals like Cooley and Wilson Sonsini. Vieira’s hire signals a strategic bet on policy advisory as a growth area, especially with anticipated regulatory shifts under the current administration on tech mergers and data governance.
- For Tech Clients: Vieira’s dual perspective—from VC investing to enforcement—will help startups and scale-ups mitigate risks in areas like AI ethics and export controls. Sequoia’s portfolio, including high-profile investments in companies like OpenAI and Stripe, provides him insider knowledge of industry pain points.
- Industry Context: The hire comes amid heightened U.S.-China tensions and evolving rules on tech (e.g., recent FTC actions on surveillance pricing and AI training data). Legal experts view it as timely, with Vieira potentially influencing policy through thought leadership and client advocacy.
- Reactions: Legal news outlets praised the move as a “coup” for Skadden, highlighting Vieira’s “unparalleled” blend of experiences. No public comments from Sequoia were immediately available, but the firm has a history of alumni succeeding in policy roles.
This appointment positions Skadden to deepen its role in shaping tech policy, leveraging Vieira’s track record to attract more Silicon Valley and global clients. Further details on his integration and initial projects may emerge in coming weeks.