State Attorneys General Bolster Antitrust Efforts Against Tech Giants and Industry Titans

State attorneys general across the country are ramping up their efforts to combat tech giants and other industry titans through antitrust litigation, with California leading the charge by expanding its team with eight new hires in June.

The move comes as states are increasingly wielding antitrust law against big businesses, with California joining the Justice Department and roughly 30 other states in a lawsuit to break up Ticketmaster and Live Nation. New Jersey Attorney General Mathew J. Platkin emphasized the importance of putting industry on notice, with his office focusing on pharmaceutical giants and payment processing firms.

The National Association of Attorneys General Antitrust Task Force Chair, Gwendolyn J. Lindsay Cooley, highlighted the significant growth in antitrust state attorney general teams over the last two decades, with approximately 270 assistant attorneys general now involved in antitrust litigation. This surge in hiring reflects a broader push to address concerns about market concentration and competition.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta underscored the urgency of antitrust enforcement, stating that it is essential for protecting the free market and benefiting both consumers and businesses. The national impact of state antitrust efforts is also on the rise, with defense attorneys noting an increase in state investigations into national matters.

The bipartisan momentum behind expanded antitrust activity is evident in states like Florida and Tennessee, where efforts have been made to bolster antitrust teams and take on high-profile cases. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, for example, pursued antitrust action against the JetBlue Airways Corp. and Spirit Airlines merger, while Tennessee has been involved in litigating college sports controversies.

Overall, the trend of hiring more antitrust attorneys is expected to continue, regardless of political shifts in Washington. States are increasingly recognizing the importance of antitrust enforcement in safeguarding competition and protecting consumers, making it a critical component of our democratic system.