California announced Monday that it has retained the law firm Milbank to assist in its legal effort to block the merger of Paramount and Warner Bros., bringing in seasoned antitrust attorneys to match what the state expects will be a formidable legal team from Paramount’s side.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta explained the decision by saying the state hired Milbank, a prominent corporate law firm, because “we need the firepower.” He added that California anticipated going up against “an army of high-powered private attorneys” representing Paramount.
The attorneys joining California’s effort from Milbank include Richard Parker and James Weingarten. Weingarten is a former U.S. government antitrust lawyer who previously worked on the team that attempted — unsuccessfully — to block Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
On Paramount’s side, Jeffrey Kessler of the law firm Winston Taylor is set to serve as lead trial counsel defending the merger. Paramount has also brought on former U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement.
The lawsuit, filed Monday, involves California and 11 other states. They contend the deal would give the merged company increased leverage to drive up prices across film and television markets, with the burden ultimately landing on consumers and workers.
The case pits California, New York, and other states led by Democratic officials against major media corporations whose merger received approval in June from the Trump administration.
The Justice Department cleared the transaction following an eight-month review, concluding it was likely to benefit competition rather than harm it.
The hiring of Milbank adds an interesting dimension to the legal battle. The firm is among several that reached agreements with President Donald Trump last year to avoid executive orders his administration had issued targeting prominent law firms over issues including their past clients, hiring decisions, and ties to individuals Trump viewed as adversaries. As part of its agreement, Milbank committed to providing $100 million in free legal services for mutually agreed-upon causes.
California and other states had criticized those settlements at the time, arguing the firms were caving to political pressure.
Despite its agreement with the Trump administration, Milbank has continued to oppose the administration in court on other matters. The firm represented small businesses that challenged Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose broad tariffs, ultimately securing a Supreme Court ruling in February that struck down those measures. In June, Milbank and other attorneys also won a ruling defeating the administration’s lawsuit targeting immigration policies in New Jersey cities.
Milbank, the White House, and the Justice Department did not respond to requests for comment.
