Apple $AAPL ( ▼ 0.68% ) has poached Jennifer Newstead, Meta’s $META ( ▲ 1.8% ) chief legal officer, marking a high profile talent swap just one day after Meta hired away Apple’s user interface design lead. Newstead will become Apple’s next general counsel, succeeding Kate Adams, who plans to retire in late 2026 after nearly a decade in the role.
Apple also announced that Lisa Jackson, its vice president for Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives, will retire in January 2026. The rapid succession of leadership changes has sparked fresh speculation about the long term plans of CEO Tim Cook, who has faced increasing questions about whether he is nearing retirement.
The two hires underscore the deepening rivalry between Apple and Meta as both companies race to reposition themselves around AI, hardware, and global regulatory pressure.