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The United States Department of Justice Antitrust Division is responsible for enforcing the antitrust laws of the United States. It shares jurisdiction over civil antitrust cases with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and often works jointly with the FTC to provide regulatory guidance to businesses. However, the Antitrust Division also has the power to file criminal cases against willful violators of the antitrust laws. The Antitrust Division also works with competition regulators in other countries.
The head of the Antitrust Division is an Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust (AAG-AT) appointed by the President of the United States. The current Acting Assistant Attorney General is Brent C. Synder.
Organization
The Antitrust Division is overseen by an Assistant Attorney General. The Assistant Attorney General is assisted by six Deputy Assistant Attorneys General (DAAG) who each oversee a different branch of the Division. 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."
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 Sections
Litigation I Section
Litigation II Section
Litigation III Section
Networks and Technology Enforcement Section
Telecommunications and Media Enforcement Section
Transportation, Energy, and Agriculture Section
Criminal Sections and Offices
Chicago Office
New York Office
San Francisco Office
Washington Criminal I Section
Washington Criminal II Section
Economic Sections
Economic Analysis Group
Other Offices
Appellate Section
Executive Office
Foreign Commerce Section
Legal Policy Section
Closing 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 will save money and not negatively affect criminal enforcement. A significant number of career prosecutors have voiced contrary opinions, noting that the elimination of half of the Division's criminal enforcement offices will increase travel expenses and diminish the likelihood of uncovering local or regional conspiracies.