Prominent Washington Lawyer Joins State Attorneys General Team in Antitrust Lawsuit Against Microsoft

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) – California Attorney General Bill Lockyer today announced that prominent Washington lawyer Brendan Sullivan Jr. will join the team of state attorneys general as lead trial counsel in their battle against the illegal monopoly of Microsoft.

"California is retaining Mr. Sullivan and the Williams & Connolly firm for the benefit of the litigating states," Lockyer said. "Mr. Sullivan's reputation is one of being a brilliant, fierce legal bulldog. This definitely adds to the legal firepower of the states battling the illegal monopoly of Microsoft."

Sullivan is a partner in Williams & Connolly of Washington, D.C.. He has undertaken numerous high-profile cases over the years, including the defense of Oliver North in the Iran-Contra trial.

Attorney General Tom Miller of Iowa said: "Brendan Sullivan is one of the outstanding trial lawyers in the nation. He has proved time and again to be a forceful and effective advocate."

Lockyer said the states are committed to the mediation process and reaching an effective, enforceable settlement with Microsoft, but also are prepared to go to trial if necessary in the interest of consumers and fair business competition. Lockyer noted that Microsoft has had trial counsel working on the case for years and the U.S. Justice Department also has a lead trial counsel.

"The states have a lot of talented lawyers who have been working long and hard in this case," Sullivan said. "Our skillful and experienced team from Williams and Connolly intends to effectively partner with the states to provide the court the best possible presentation and secure meaningful and effective relief."

On June 28th of this year, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals unanimously held that Microsoft engaged in unlawful monopolization. State attorneys general have been seeking court-ordered relief to protect the public from on-going unlawful acts by Monopoly. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly recently stated that failure to reach a mediated settlement by November 2 would mean hearings beginning in March on what sanctions should apply against Microsoft for illegally maintaining a monopoly in personal computer operating systems.