Christine Varney, the top antitrust regulator at the U.S. Justice Department, plans to step down next month to join the New York law firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore, according to a Wall Street Journal report.
Ms. Varney, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's Antitrust Division, held her position for two years. Her departure coincides with the Justice Department's review of several high-profile mergers, such as AT&T and T-Mobile. Ms. Varney has been hailed as tough and politically savvy, vowing to end lax enforcement and reinvigorate anticompetitive practices when she took post in 2009.
Under her tenure, the Justice Department barred several horizontal mergers between direct competitors. The department also sued Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan for allegedly entering agreements that raised hospital prices under her leadership.
The slated date for Ms. Varney's departure is Aug. 5. Her replacement hasn't been identified. At the law firm, Ms. Varney will work on antitrust issues related to M&A activity.
Read the Wall Street Journal report on Christine Varney.
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Ms. Varney, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's Antitrust Division, held her position for two years. Her departure coincides with the Justice Department's review of several high-profile mergers, such as AT&T and T-Mobile. Ms. Varney has been hailed as tough and politically savvy, vowing to end lax enforcement and reinvigorate anticompetitive practices when she took post in 2009.
Under her tenure, the Justice Department barred several horizontal mergers between direct competitors. The department also sued Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan for allegedly entering agreements that raised hospital prices under her leadership.
The slated date for Ms. Varney's departure is Aug. 5. Her replacement hasn't been identified. At the law firm, Ms. Varney will work on antitrust issues related to M&A activity.
Read the Wall Street Journal report on Christine Varney.
Related Articles on the Department of Justice and FTC:
FTC to Appeal Decision Allowing Acquisition of Palmyra Medical Center
Health Insurers Say Proposed Antitrust Regulations for ACOs Could Lead to Provider Consolidation, Higher Prices
Michigan Blue Cross Defends Demand For Hospitals' Lowest Price