FTC Announces Appointment of New Administrative Law Judge

In response to the increasing workload stemming from regulatory matters and enforcement actions, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced the appointment of Jay L. Himes as one of the agency’s Administrative Law Judges. Himes, an experienced litigator with a robust background in antitrust law, will play a crucial role in independent adjudicative fact-finding within the agency’s administrative litigation and rulemaking proceedings.

The appointment of Himes was approved unanimously with a 3-0 vote by the Commission in December 2023. His addition expands the number of administrative law judges alongside Administrative Law Judge D. Michael Chappell. The move comes as part of the FTC’s efforts to bolster its capacity to handle a surge in workload, particularly in light of ongoing FTC rulemakings, enforcement matters, and reviews of civil sanctions imposed by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority—a nonprofit organization overseen by the FTC.

Prior to his appointment, Himes served in various legal capacities, bringing with him a wealth of experience. He most recently held the position of special litigation counsel for the Office of the Attorney General for New York, where he also served as chief of the antitrust bureau. Additionally, Himes has a distinguished history in private practice, having worked as a partner and co-chair of the antitrust group at Labaton Sucharow LLP, as well as in roles at esteemed firms such as Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, and Snow, Becker, Kroll, Klaris & Krauss, P.C.

Notably, Himes’s expertise was recognized in his appointment by Judge William Orrick III of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California as a court-appointed monitor in the anticompetitive merger case of United States v. Bazaarvoice, Inc. This successful challenge underscores his deep understanding of antitrust issues and litigation.

Himes earned both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Wisconsin, solidifying his foundation in legal practice and antitrust law.

Source: FTC Gov