Job Description

Posting number: AAG-PUB-ANTI-CHI

Department: Chief Deputy - Attorney General

Division: Antitrust

Job classification: AAG-Assistant Attorney General -Antitrust -Chicago

Posting type: Open

Categories: Attorney

Summary

Strong antitrust enforcement is vital to preserving a healthy competitive climate in Illinois. The Antitrust Bureau protects healthy competition and fair markets for the benefit of all Illinoisans by enforcing state and federal antitrust laws. The Bureau frequently collaborates with the Federal Trade Commission, the U.S. Department of Justice, and other state attorneys general on investigations and enforcement actions. As an Antitrust AAG, you will have the opportunity to challenge illegal practices like monopolization, anticompetitive mergers and acquisitions, price-fixing and market allocation agreements, and other conduct that harms competition in Illinois.

The AAGs in our Antitrust Bureau lead and participate in high-profile antitrust investigations and litigation in a variety of industries that play a major role in Illinois’ economy, such as health care, online platforms, agriculture, and labor markets. Such cases include, for example:

• California, et al. v. Nexstar Media Grp. Inc. et al. (challenging Nexstar Media Group’s proposed acquisition of Tegna Inc., two major broadcast station companies);
• United States, et al. v. Live Nation Ent., Inc. and Ticketmaster L.L.C. (alleging monopolization of the live entertainment industry);
• In re: Generic Pharmaceuticals Pricing Antitrust Litigation(alleging broad conspiracy by generic drug manufacturers to artificially inflate and manipulate prices, reduce competition and unreasonably restrain trade for generic drugs);
• Colorado, et al. v. Google, Inc. (alleging monopolization of search and search ads markets);
• FTC, et al. v. Syngenta Crop Protection AG, et al. (alleging illegal suppression of competition from generic pesticide manufacturers through branded manufacturers’ use of “loyalty programs”); and
• State v. Elite Staffing, Inc. et al. (alleging wage-fixing and no poach agreements in the temporary staffing industry).

An Antitrust AAG is responsible for all aspects of the investigation and litigation of assigned cases, in collaboration with other AAGs in the Bureau. This includes drafting investigative memoranda, pleadings, and briefs, appearing and arguing in court, formulating case strategy, interviewing witnesses, taking and defending depositions, and engaging in discovery, mediations, settlement negotiations, and trial, as well as generally representing the interests of the People of the State of Illinois. AAGs can expect hands-on experience and significant responsibility at all career levels, as well as substantial autonomy and leadership opportunities in investigating and litigating antitrust violations.

Antitrust AAGs also have the opportunity to work closely with other state and federal antitrust enforcement agencies, support legislative efforts, and engage in outreach to other state agencies and the community at large about antitrust issues.

Examples of duties

The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of civil antitrust investigation and litigation experience. This experience is expected to include the following qualifications:

• Background in economics or data science
• Working knowledge of antitrust law
• Working knowledge of mergers, acquisitions and corporate law
• Experience investigating and building cases for litigation, including government civil law enforcement actions
• Experience with document review platforms and substantial amounts of e-discovery
• Excellent legal writing, editing, and analytical skills
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively in teams of varying experience levels

However, attorneys with less experience that have a demonstrated interest in antitrust law or attorneys with general complex civil litigation experience are still encouraged to apply.

Candidates must be licensed by the State of Illinois at the time of application.

Supplemental information

Salaries are commensurate with the number of years of practice as a licensed attorney.

To ensure full consideration, please upload a cover letter, resume, three professional references, and a writing sample. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us:

Attn: Hanan Malik

Office of the Illinois Attorney General

115 S. LaSalle St.

Chicago, IL 60603

(312) 814-3695

(312) 814-5024 (Fax)

attorneyhiring@ilag.gov