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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary


For Immediate Release February 28, 1997
          PRESIDENT CLINTON NAMES JOEL I. KLEIN AS
          ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL, ANTITRUST DIVISION,
          AT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

     The President today announced his intent to nominate Joel I. 

Klein as Assistant Attorney General, Antitrust Division, at the U.S. Department of Justice.

President Clinton said, "Joel Klein is an outstanding attorney and dedicated public servant. He has served me well over the past three years and I am confident that he will continue to do a superb job in the Antitrust Division."

Joel I. Klein of Washington, DC, has served as Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division since October, 1996. "Since Joel came to the Antitrust Division almost two years ago, I have witnessed first hand just how talented he is," said Attorney General Janet Reno. "He has participated in many important competition matters, and I am so pleased that the President has chosen him to lead the Antitrust Division." Prior to serving in his current position, Mr. Klein was Deputy Assistant Attorney General, where he argued the landmark Microsoft case on appeal in which the government's position prevailed. Prior to his service in the Antitrust Division, Mr. Klein served as Deputy Counsel to the President, where he advised the President on an array of legal issues. As an attorney in private practice, Mr. Klein has argued ten cases before the United States Supreme Court.

Mr. Klein earned his Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, from Columbia College and his J.D., magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School. Mr. Klein is married and has two children.

The principal objective of the Antitrust Division is to promote and maintain competition in the United States economy. The Division?s major functions are to seek, prevent or terminate private anti-competitive conduct, ensure that government action is pro-competitive, and review proposed mergers and acquisitions. The Division also advises the President and the departments and agencies of the Executive Branch on the competitive implications of governmental action.


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