California In Talks for Superstar Tech Lawyer to Challenge Paramount

Key Points:

• Robert Van Nest, a prominent trial lawyer known for representing major tech companies, is in discussions to represent California and other states in a potential lawsuit to block Paramount's $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery.
• The coalition of states, mostly led by Democratic attorneys general but including some Republicans, is preparing to file suit within a month, focusing on markets such as theatrical distribution, streaming, and news.
• Van Nest would face Paramount's legal team led by antitrust experts Jeffrey Kessler and Makan Delrahim, amid regulatory scrutiny from multiple agencies including the Justice Department, FCC, EU, and UK regulators.
• California has recently increased funding for antitrust litigation, reflecting concerns over reduced federal enforcement, while Paramount maintains that the merger is pro-competitive and does not raise antitrust issues.
• Van Nest’s prior high-profile antitrust and copyright cases, including representing Google, Qualcomm, and OpenAI, have positioned him as a key figure for states challenging the merger.