U.S. Escalates Google Case by Hiring Noted Outside Lawyer

The New York Times: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has hired prominent litigator Beth A. Wilkinson for its antitrust investigation of Google’s search practices. Observers say engaging an outside attorney is a sign that the agency is getting ready to try its case in court. “It’s a watershed moment when you hire someone like this,” said former FTC official David Wales. “This shows Google that if it doesn’t give you the remedy you want, you’re going to litigate.”

The FTC has hired outside litigators only twice in the last ten years. Wilkinson has tried about 40 major cases in her career, including the prosecution of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh, and she has won them all.