White & Case Hired Former DOJ Antitrust Chief Slater
The former official will join the firm's global antitrust and technology practice in Washington, D.C.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in People
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Law firm White & Case has hired former Department of Justice antitrust chief Gail Slater as a partner. She will focus on the firm's global antitrust practice and technology industry group.
Why it matters
Slater brings extensive experience from both the public and private sectors, including prior roles at the FTC, the White House National Economic Council, and executive positions at Fox Corp and Roku. Her background navigating complex antitrust probes, such as those into egg producers and meatpacking, offers businesses insight into regulatory enforcement strategy.
Slater returns to private practice following a 10-year tenure as an antitrust lawyer at the Federal Trade Commission. Her career also includes executive roles at Fox Corp and Roku, following her departure from the DOJ in February 2026.
The players
Gail Slater
A former DOJ antitrust leader and FTC lawyer who previously held executive roles at Fox Corp and Roku.
White & Case
A global law firm providing legal services to multinational corporations and financial institutions.
Donald Trump
The current President of the United States who employed Slater on the National Economic Council during his first term.
JD Vance
A United States Senator who utilized Slater as an economic advisor during his Senate tenure.
The details
Slater joins White & Case to contribute to its global antitrust practice and global technology industry group. Her expertise stems from her leadership at the DOJ, where she oversaw high-profile probes into the meatpacking and egg industries. She also served as an economic advisor to JD Vance during his Senate tenure and held a position on the White House National Economic Council during the first term of President Donald Trump.
Timeline
February 2026: Slater stepped down from her role at the Justice Department.
March 2026: Slater joined the think tank American Compass.
September 29, 2026: White & Case announced the hiring of Gail Slater.
Market Landscape
The move follows a documented trend of regulatory officials transitioning to private practice to assist firms in navigating the Sherman Antitrust Act enforcement protocols. This appointment positions White & Case to strengthen its capacity to advise clients through a period of heightened federal scrutiny.
Operators should monitor the shifting tone of antitrust enforcement as former regulators like Slater move into private advising roles. Review your internal compliance programs for antitrust exposure, especially if your sector faces ongoing scrutiny from federal agencies.
The takeaway
The movement of high-level regulatory talent into law firms signals a tightening alignment between corporate legal strategy and federal enforcement expectations. Operators should track how such hires influence the defense strategies of peer companies in the technology and agriculture sectors.
Further reading
For more on industry leadership changes, visit the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Reuters.
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