White & Case Hired Former DOJ Antitrust Chief
Gail Slater joins the global law firm as a partner in Washington, D.C. after serving in the Department of Justice.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in People
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The global law firm White & Case has hired Gail Slater as a partner to join its antitrust and technology industry groups. Slater, who recently led the U.S. Justice Department antitrust division, will be based in Washington, D.C.
Why it matters
Slater brings extensive experience from both the private sector and federal oversight roles, including her time at the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission. Her move bolsters the firm's capabilities in high-stakes antitrust legal matters.
Slater spent 10 years working as an antitrust lawyer at the Federal Trade Commission before her stint at the Department of Justice. The firm recently advised on high-profile deals including the $16.4 billion acquisition of Calpine by Constellation Energy.
The players
Gail Slater
She is a former head of the Justice Department antitrust division who previously served as an economic advisor to Senator JD Vance.
White & Case
This is a prominent global law firm that maintains a significant practice in international antitrust and technology regulation.
Donald Trump
He is the current President of the United States who employed Slater on the White House National Economic Council during his first term.
JD Vance
He is a U.S. Senator who previously utilized Slater as an economic advisor.
The details
Slater will leverage her background as a former economic advisor to JD Vance and her previous executive positions at Fox Corp and Roku in her new capacity. During her time at the Department of Justice, she oversaw active probes into the meatpacking industry and egg producers.
Timeline
February 2026: Slater stepped down from her Justice Department role.
March 2026: Slater joined the American Compass think tank.
July 2025: Reports emerged regarding the firing of Slater's deputies.
September 29, 2026: White & Case announced the hiring of Gail Slater.
Market Landscape
This hire signifies a shift in competitive legal talent as firms seek partners with intimate knowledge of recent federal enforcement strategies. The move highlights the broader industry trend of law firms scaling up antitrust groups to navigate an increasingly rigorous regulatory environment.
For corporate clients facing regulatory scrutiny, this move may indicate greater access to legal strategies informed by recent federal antitrust internal operations. The addition of a partner with experience at the FTC and DOJ suggests the firm is strengthening its ability to manage complex government investigations.
The takeaway
The movement of high-level officials between government regulatory bodies and private law firms remains a cornerstone of the American legal industry. Readers should note that shifts in personnel at top firms often signal anticipated changes in how major corporate mergers and acquisitions are handled.
Further reading
For more information on recent career transitions in the legal sector, visit the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Reuters.
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