PD_DOJ_Assistant-Attorney-General-Antitrust-Division

Position Description

ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR THE ANTITRUST DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Overview

Senate Committee

Judiciary

Agency Mission

To enforce the law and defend the interests of the United States according to the law, ensure public safety against foreign and domestic threats, provide federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime, seek just punishment for those guilty of unlawful behavior and ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans.

Position Overview

The assistant attorney general for the antitrust division is responsible for the enforcement of, improvements to and education about antitrust laws and principles, principally the Sherman Act.

Compensation

Level IV $155,500 (5 U.S.C. § 5315)¹ _{The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (Public Law 115-31, May 5, 2017), contains a provision that continues the freeze on the payable pay rates for certain senior political officials at 2013 levels during calendar year 2017.}

Position Reports to

Reports to the Attorney General through the Associate Attorney General

Responsibilities

Management Scope

In 2015, DOJ had 112,100 full-time equivalents and an annual budget of $33.136 billion. In fiscal 2015, the antitrust division had an enacted budget of $162.2 million (830 positions; 380 attorneys). The assistant attorney general has about 10-12 direct reports.

Primary Responsibilities

® Seeks to prevent or terminate private anti-competitive conduct which is subject to criminal and civil action under the Sherman and Clayton Acts and related statutes that prohibit conspiracies in restraint of trade, monopolization and anti-competitive mergers.
® Reviews proposed mergers and acquisitions to assess their competitive effect and challenge those that threaten to harm competition.
® Investigates and prosecutes violations of criminal law that affect the integrity of the investigatory process and enforces various criminal statutes related to Sherman Act violations.
® Investigates possible violations of the federal antitrust laws, conducts grand jury proceedings, issues and enforces civil investigative demands and handles all litigation that arises out of these criminal and civil investigations.
® Responds to requests for advice and comments from Congress and from other agencies on proposed legislation relating to the antitrust laws and competition generally.
® As requested, participates in the executive branch, regulatory and legislative processes.
® Assembles information and prepares reports required or requested by the Congress or the attorney general as to the effect upon the maintenance and preservation of competition under the free enterprise system of various federal laws or programs, on the state of antitrust enforcement.
® Provides guidance to the business community on antitrust laws, much of it jointly with the Federal Trade Commission.

Strategic Goals and Priorities

[Depends on policy priorities of the administration]

Requirements and Competencies

Requirements

® Distinguished legal career
® Extensive management experience
® Substantial antitrust experience
® Understanding of litigation process
® Criminal law experience a plus

Competencies

® Ability to resolve differences in opinion with other legal experts in the department
® Ability to manage complex litigation and evaluate litigation risk
® Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Past Appointees

Renata Hesse (2016 to 2017) (Acting) u2013 Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General; Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division; Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Criminal and Civil Operations; Special Advisor, Civil Enforcement, Antitrust Division
Bill Baer (2011 to 2016) u2013 Partner, Arnold and Porter LLP; Director of the Bureau of Competition, Federal Trade Commission; Assistant General Counsel for Legislation and Congressional Relations, Federal Trade Commission; Assistant to the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection
Christine Varney (2009 to 2011) u2013 Partner and Chair of Antitrust practice, Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP; Commissioner of the FTC; Assistant to the President and Secretary to the Cabinet
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