United States Department of Justice Antitrust Division

History

Early years

On February 25, 1903, Congress earmarked $500,000 for antitrust enforcement. On March 3, 1903, Congress created the position of Antitrust Attorney General, with a salary to be paid out of the funds earmarked for antitrust enforcement. The 1904 DOJ Register identified two professional staffers responsible for enforcement of antitrust laws, but the Division was not formally established until 1919.

Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer “effected the first important reorganization" of DOJ since it was first established in 1870. Palmer organized DOJ into divisions, and placed the assistant attorney general “in charge of the Anti-Trust Division.” Palmer's annual report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1919 contained the first public statement that DOJ had a component called the "Antitrust Division."

2013 closure of field offices

The closure of four of the Antitrust Division's criminal antitrust offices in January 2013 generated significant controversy within the Division and among members of Congress. The Attorney General posited that the closure of these offices would save money and not negatively affect criminal enforcement.

A significant number of career prosecutors voiced contrary opinions, noting that the elimination of half of the Division's criminal enforcement offices would increase travel expenses and diminish the likelihood of uncovering local or regional conspiracies.

Leadership

The Antitrust Division is led by an assistant attorney general (AAG) who is appointed by the president of the United States with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Antitrust Division's AAG reports to the associate attorney general and the deputy attorney general. The current assistant attorney general for the Antitrust Division is Gail Slater.

List of Assistant Attorneys General for the Antitrust Division

Current organizational structure

The Assistant Attorney General is assisted by Deputy Assistant Attorneys General (DAAG). One of the DAAGs holds the position of "Principal Deputy," that is "first among equals," and "will typically assume the powers of the Assistant Attorney General in the Assistant Attorney General's absence."

, the Antitrust Division consists of these sections and offices:

Office of the Assistant Attorney General

• Assistant Attorney General
• Deputy Assistant Attorneys General
• Chief of Staff and Senior Advisors
• Directors of Enforcement
• Office of the Chief Legal Advisor

Civil Enforcement Program

• Anti-Monopoly and Collusion Enforcement Section
• Defense, Industrials, and Aerospace Section
• Financial Services, Fintech, and Banking Section
• Healthcare and Consumer Products Section
• Media, Entertainment, and Communications Section
• Technology and Digital Platforms Section
• Transportation, Energy, and Agriculture Section

Criminal Sections and Offices

• Chicago Office (also has civil enforcement responsibilities)
• New York Office
• San Francisco Office (also has civil enforcement responsibilities)
• Washington Criminal Section

Expert Analysis Group

• Economic Analysis Group

Executive Office

• Executive Office
• Paralegal Unit

Litigation Program

Policy and Advocacy Program

• Appellate Section
• Competition Policy and Advocacy Section
• International Section
• State Relations

References

References

1. Werden, Gregory J.. (2018). "Establishment of the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice". SSRN Electronic Journal.
2. Werden, Gregory J.. (Fall 2018). "Establishment of the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice". St. John's Law Review.
3. Lipman, Melissa. (2023-01-15). "DOJ's Antitrust Plans Unclear Amid Looming Office Closures".
4. Lipman, Melissa. (2012-05-02). "Kohl Urges DOJ To Reconsider Antitrust Office Closings".
5. Lipman, Melissa. "DOJ Faces Mounting Flak Over Plan To Close Antitrust Offices".
6. (April 2015). "Antitrust Division Manual". U.S. Department of Justice.
7. (2025-07-10). "Sections And Offices".