Washington, DC - Federal Trade Commission Acting Chairman Maureen K. Ohlhausen announced today that she has selected D. Bruce Hoffman, a partner at the law firm of Shearman & Sterling LLP, to be the Acting Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Competition, effective August 7, 2017.

“Bruce brings tremendous qualifications to his new role as Acting Director of the Bureau of Competition, and I am thrilled he will be joining us in August,” said Acting Chairman Ohlhausen. “His prior service to the Commission - as the Bureau’s Deputy Director, and Associate Director for Regional Litigation – and his stellar accomplishments in the private sector make him exceedingly well qualified to head the Bureau. My priorities as Acting Chairman are to ensure the FTC protects competition and promotes free-market principles, while reducing regulatory burdens on legitimate businesses. Bruce will be instrumental in ensuring that the agency achieves these goals.”

“I am honored to be asked to serve at such a critical time in the agency’s history,” Hoffman stated.

Hoffman is Global Co-Head of Shearman & Sterling’s Antitrust Group, focusing on antitrust and unfair competition, including merger reviews, government investigations, and private and government antitrust litigation. Previously, he led the global competition practice at Hunton & Williams, representing clients in the supermarket, funeral, and music industries, among others. 

Hoffman earned a B.A. from Penn State University and a J.D. from the University of Florida, College of Law. He served on the Florida Law Review and was the recipient of the W.D. McDonald Prize for graduating first in his law school class.

Hoffman will replace Acting Bureau of Competition Director Markus Meier, who will return to leading the Bureau’s Health Care Division. “I am grateful to Markus for his exemplary service at the Bureau and look forward to him once again leading the Health Care Division,” said Acting Chairman Ohlhausen.