DOJ Leadership Signals Preference for Settling Antitrust Cases, WSJ Says

The Journal reported that Stanley Woodward, the DOJ’s third-ranking official and a key overseer of antitrust enforcement, has told lawyers internally that avoiding drawn-out litigation is a more efficient approach. Sources familiar with the matter told the newspaper that Woodward recently shared this view with attorneys in the department’s Chicago office and has made similar comments in other internal settings.

A Justice Department spokeswoman told The Wall Street Journal that Woodward has not instructed staff to stop litigating antitrust cases. Instead, she said he has emphasized that negotiated settlements can deliver results more quickly than extended court proceedings.

The reported shift comes as the DOJ continues pursuing major antitrust cases against companies including Apple and Visa. According to the Journal, some current and former officials worry that placing greater emphasis on settlements could reduce the government’s leverage in challenging alleged monopolistic practices and anticompetitive mergers.

The Journal also noted that the DOJ has brought relatively few merger challenges during President Donald Trump’s current administration compared with recent years. The department has instead shown an increased willingness to negotiate settlements in some high-profile cases.

The report adds to ongoing scrutiny of the Justice Department’s antitrust division, which has experienced leadership changes and internal debate over enforcement priorities. Critics cited by the Journal argue that an increased focus on negotiated resolutions could weaken the government’s ability to deter anticompetitive conduct, while supporters contend that settlements can achieve faster and more efficient outcomes.

Source: The Wall Street Journal