President Obama announced last week that he has nominated William Baer to lead the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) antitrust division. Baer is currently a partner in the Washington, D.C., and Brussels offices of Arnold & Porter.
If confirmed, Baer will take over the role currently held by Acting Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust Sharis A. Pozen, who stepped in as interim chief when Christine Varney left the post in August 2011 to become a partner at Cravath, Swaine & Moore. Although Pozen is expected to step down from the position in April, it remains unclear if Baer’s nomination will go through this year. Historically, election years have proved difficult for presidential nominees to win confirmations.
Regardless, Baer brings an impressive resume to the table. He has served as director of the Bureau of Competition at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), assistant general counsel and director of congressional relations at the FTC, and attorney adviser to the chairman of the FTC. He currently heads Arnold & Porter’s antitrust group.
Read more about Baer’s nomination to the antitrust division of the DOJ.
