As rumors swirl about the flurry of hopefuls for senior posts in the
antitrust world, many Democrats with experience during the Clinton
administration could be tapped to return to the Federal Trade
Commission or the Justice Department's antitrust division. According to
an FTC alum, Christine Varney, a former commissioner, could be
headed back to the agency from her job at Hogan & Hartson LLP.
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Varney is reported to be part of the Obama transition team, which could
give her an edge on the job. Currently, there is one opening at the
FTC, and Commissioner Pamela Jones Harbour's term is slated to expire
next year. Moreover, there's been some speculation that Commissioner
Jon Leibowitz, a Democrat, might be promoted to another agency in the
Obama administration, opening an additional slot. Leibowitz has been
cautious about responding to queries about his future.
While Einer Elhauge, a Harvard Law professor, is
rumored
to be the most likely person to come to Washington, due to his
participation in antitrust fundraising events, two other lawyers also
receive imprimaturs from the Obama campaign to discuss antitrust
issues.
They are
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr LLP partners Doug Melamed, who
served in the Clinton DOJ for about four years, and was acting assistant attorney general for antitrust after Joel Klein left the
agency, and Bill Kolasky, a deputy AAG at the beginning of the Bush
administration, and has since been outspoken in his support for Obama.
Another Wilmer partner is rumored to be in charge of the DOJ transition team, which might give Melamed or Kolasky a boost.
Another
former DOJ person -- also during the Bush administration -- is Leslie
Overton, a partner at Jones Day. Her firm hosted a Washington fundraiser for Obama targeting antitrust professionals, and she was listed
as one of the sponsors of the event. Her husband is reportedly a close
friend of the president-elect. Jones Day was tapped for major players
during the Bush administration, including former DOJ AAG Charles James
and acting AAG and later FTC Chairman Deborah Platt Majoras. Kathy
Fenton, another Jones Day partner, is married to FTC Chairman Bill
Kovacic, a former antitrust professor at George Washington School of
Law. And partner Bruce McDonald was a DAAG until last year. -
Cecile Kohrs Lindell See related story about possible FTC heads from DealscapeCecile Kohrs Lindell is a senior reporter in The Deal's Washington bureau.
