REFILE-US Justice Department's deputy antitrust chief steps down

By Jasper Ward

WASHINGTON, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Mark Hamer, the second-in-command at the U.S. Justice Department's Antitrust Division, announced on Monday that he was departing the Trump administration after nearly a year in his role.

Hamer, a deputy assistant attorney general, said in a post on LinkedIn that he had committed to working in the public service for a year when he accepted the job.

"The year 2025 was the high-water mark for civil antitrust enforcement, with the largest docket of civil antitrust litigation matters in DOJ’s history," he said.

"Our enforcement cases and investigations targeted high-profile competition concerns in technology, healthcare, entertainment, agriculture, real estate and financial services industries," he added.

Hamer said he was returning to private practice at Baker McKenzie, where he previously served as global chair of the law firm's antitrust and competition practice.

He joined the Justice Department last March as one of four deputies overseeing antitrust. In his role, Hamer oversaw litigation and civil enforcement.