Covington & Burling LLP operates as a limited liability partnership worldwide, with the practice in England and Wales conducted by an affiliated
limited liability multinational partnership, Covington & Burling LLP, which is formed under the laws of the State of Delaware in the United States
and authorized and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with registration number 77071..
Megan Crowley is a nationally recognized litigator who represents clients in complex, high-stakes cases at the intersection of law, government, and policy. As Co-Chair of Covington’s Government Litigation practice, she combines strategic foresight with deep public-sector experience, having previously litigated high-impact constitutional, statutory, and administrative law cases at the U.S. Department of Justice.
For more than five years, Megan has co-led Covington’s representation of TikTok in litigation concerning privacy, data security, and government regulation—some of the most consequential technology cases of the past decade. In 2020, she conceived the argument that underpinned Covington’s successful challenge to the Executive Order seeking to ban TikTok’s operations in the United States. In 2023, she co-led the team that obtained a preliminary injunction blocking Montana’s statewide ban on TikTok—the first ruling of its kind. Since 2024, Megan has continued to co-lead Covington’s representation of TikTok in matters arising under the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, including proceedings before the D.C. Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as related issues critical to the platform’s ongoing U.S. operations.
Megan has also achieved significant victories for clients across a range of industries facing complex regulatory and constitutional challenges. She played a pivotal role in Covington’s successful representation of Xiaomi Corporation in overturning a Department of Defense designation that would have barred the company from U.S. financial markets, and has represented major global companies in administrative and appellate litigation involving national security, consumer protection, and compliance issues.
In addition to her federal work, Megan has defended clients in State Attorney General enforcement actions. She delivered the winning argument that led to the complete dismissal of an Indiana Attorney General consumer protection action—one of several matters in which she has successfully opposed novel applications of state enforcement authority.
Beyond the courtroom, Megan advises clients on constitutional and administrative law issues, regulatory compliance, and emerging legislative frameworks governing online platforms, artificial intelligence, and consumer protection. Her practice also encompasses litigation under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, and the First Amendment.
Her achievements have earned broad recognition. The American Lawyer named her “Litigator of the Week” for her successes on behalf of TikTok and other clients, and Law360 recognized her as a Rising Star in Cybersecurity & Privacy.
Megan maintains a robust pro bono practice, focused on civil rights litigation. She played a central role on the team representing the University of California in its challenge to the government’s rescission of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, obtaining a nationwide injunction and, ultimately, a 5-4 victory in the U.S. Supreme Court.
Secured preliminary injunction on behalf of TikTok, preventing the government from banning the entertainment platform from U.S. mobile app stores.
Secured preliminary injunction on behalf of Xiaomi Corporation, preventing the government from banning the company from U.S. financial markets.
Secured preliminary injunction on behalf of the University of California and its President, Janet Napolitano, preventing the government from rescinding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA), and defended the injunction before the Ninth Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court.
Lead counsel representing major technology company in responding to criminal third-party subpoenas that request access to customer data.
Represented a leading technology company in the California Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court in matter related to access to customer data under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act.
Represented major technology company in constitutional challenges to nondisclosure orders associated with government requests for electronic data under the Stored Communications Act.
Represented a leading financial institution in a dispute arising out of a cybersecurity incident experienced by its merchant customer involving payment card data.
Represented major corporation in complex, multi-district civil litigation and parallel state proceedings, including claims under state consumer protection laws.
Represented leading scientific and professional organization as amicus curiae before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Advises technology companies on issues related to content moderation, data privacy, and Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.
Advises technology companies on issues related to the eradication of child abuse imagery and materials from the internet.
Hon. Susan L. Carney, U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, 2013 - 2014
Hon. Jesse M. Furman, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, 2012 - 2013
Pro Bono
Representation of the University of California and its President, Janet Napolitano, in district court, appellate, and Supreme Court litigation challenging the government’s rescission of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals ("DACA") program.
Representation of a local non-profit organization in litigation challenging a decision of the D.C. Commissioner of Insurance, Securities and Banking regulating the charitable obligations of a national health insurer.
Accolades
Lawdragon, 500 Leading Global Cyber Lawyers (2025)
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