Report: DOJ turns to outside help in AT&T suit

The Justice Department plans to hire Glenn Pomerantz, a prominent Los Angeles-based lawyer and partner in the firm Munger, Tolles & Olson, to help the agency with its lawsuit to block AT&T’s purchase of T-Mobile, Bloomberg reports.

AT&T has said it is willing to negotiate to address the Justice Department’s antitrust concerns, but the move indicates that the government is gearing up for trial.  

Pomerantz is considered one of the leading lawyers in entertainment and media issues, according to the bio on his firm’s website. He represented record companies and studios in lawsuits against websites Limewire, Napster and Zediva. He has also been involved in antitrust litigation with Blockbuster and Redbox.

Joseph Wayland, a deputy assistant attorney general in the Justice Department, will continue to serve as the lead litigator on the case, according to the report.

The Justice Department’s lawsuit alleges that AT&T’s proposed $39 billion takeover of T-Mobile would violate antitrust law by stifling competition in the wireless industry. The deal would make AT&T the largest wireless carrier and reduce the number of national firms from four to three.

AT&T says the deal will benefit consumers by improving wireless service.

The trial is set to begin Feb. 13 in a D.C. federal court.

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