77 Meridian

Global Challenges. Clear Direction.

Your Trusted Partner in Navigating the National Security Landscape

77 Meridian provides senior national security legal counsel and strategic advisory to companies, investors, and innovators operating at the intersection of national security, technology, and global commerce. From sensitive transactions and regulatory challenges to entering and expanding in U.S. defense and intelligence markets, we combine legal expertise with firsthand government and executive operating experience.

Get in TouchOur Practice Areas

Practice Areas

Counsel for consequential national security decisions

U.S. National Security Market Entry

Successful entry into the U.S. defense and intelligence markets begins with understanding the mission, identifying the customer, and choosing the right path to market.

77 Meridian helps international defense companies and domestic innovators with emerging and dual-use technologies develop market-entry strategies, navigate government procurement and applicable security requirements, and build the partnerships and operating capabilities needed to compete and grow.

Explore U.S. National Security Market Entry
01

CFIUS Advisory

Transactions that touch U.S. national security demand precision, not one-size-fits-all strategies. The firm provides independent CFIUS counsel from deal inception through closing and long after.

Explore CFIUS Advisory
02

Fractional General Counsel

For innovative companies, the need for sophisticated legal and strategic counsel often outpaces the resources of a lean organization. The firm serves as embedded general counsel, integrating legal counsel, national security advisory, and specialist outside counsel where appropriate.

Explore Fractional General Counsel

Also advising on

The 77 Meridian Difference

What sets us apart

Companies operating at the intersection of national security, emerging technologies, and regulatory requirements face challenges that most outside counsel simply aren't built to handle. 77 Meridian was founded to fill that gap, with senior principals who have lived these issues from the inside.

Direct Principal Access

Client engagements are handled directly by 77 Meridian's principals and senior professionals, bringing firsthand government, legal, executive, and operational experience to each matter. The people who have sat in the Situation Room and run cleared companies are the people answering your call.

Truly Independent

77 Meridian’s boutique structure means the firm doesn’t compete with referring law firms for their other work, a critical trust factor in the referral-driven D.C. national security bar. Independence means advice is never shaped by institutional conflicts.

Flexible, Client-Focused Engagements

Some matters call for focused transaction advice or a discrete strategic assessment. Others require continuing legal counsel, executive advisory, or implementation support. 77 Meridian structures engagements around the client’s objectives, combining direct senior-level involvement with specialist expertise where appropriate.

Tailored Engagement Models

77 Meridian offers engagement arrangements appropriate to the matter, including defined projects, phased advisory support, and continuing counsel relationships. Predictable retainer arrangements are available where appropriate, particularly for Fractional General Counsel engagements.

Discreet

National security matters demand sound judgment and genuine discretion. 77 Meridian is built for exactly the kind of work that requires both.

Our Leadership

Senior counsel, from the first conversation on

Client engagements are handled directly by 77 Meridian's principals and senior professionals, bringing firsthand government, legal, executive, and operational experience to each matter.

DJ Rosenthal, Founder and Principal of 77 Meridian.

DJ Rosenthal

Founder and Principal

Leads the legal, regulatory, and CFIUS work.

About DJ
Melchior Baltazar, Senior Advisor and Head of U.S. National Security Market Entry at 77 Meridian.

Melchior Baltazar

Senior Advisor | Head of U.S. National Security Market Entry

Leads market entry and operating advisory.

About Melchior
DJ Rosenthal, Founder and Principal of 77 Meridian

What Clients Say

DJ brings a rare combination of national security expertise, legal rigor, and practical business judgment for our company. He understands our business, the policy environment in which we operate, and the broader strategic context in which we make legal and business decisions. Just as importantly, his network has been an invaluable resource, opening doors and making thoughtful introductions that have been tremendously helpful. We view DJ as a trusted advisor across a wide range of issues, not just outside counsel.

Bobby McKenzieCEO, 10a LabsAI and National Security

I’ve known DJ for years as one of Washington’s most serious and informed 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, and how highly he is regarded in the Intelligence Community. 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 as their advisor and counsel.

Dan KarsonFormer Chairman, Americas, Kroll AssociatesNational Security & CFIUS

Ready to discuss your situation?

Every engagement begins with a direct, confidential conversation with one of the firm’s principals.

Get in Touch

Publications

Featured Insights

View all publications

Let's Talk.

Client engagements are handled directly by 77 Meridian's principals and senior professionals, bringing firsthand government, legal, executive, and operational experience to each matter.

Get in Touch