Paramount Hires Top Antitrust Lawyer Jeffrey Kessler to Counter Merger Challenges

Paramount Global has assembled a high-powered legal team to defend its $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, moving aggressively to counter potential antitrust challenges as the deal nears regulatory review.

The studio announced Tuesday that it has hired Jeffrey Kessler, a prominent antitrust attorney known for securing victories in landmark cases, including a recent win for states suing Live Nation. Kessler will join a team already bolstered by former federal prosecutors Makan Delrahim—a former assistant attorney general for antitrust under President Donald Trump—and David Gelfand, who served as deputy assistant attorney general under President Barack Obama.

The legal reinforcements come as Paramount, led by CEO David Ellison, prepares for scrutiny from U.S. Antitrust regulators, state prosecutors and foreign authorities. While the studio does not anticipate major legal hurdles, Kessler’s addition signals Paramount’s determination to preemptively fortify its defense. A federal judge last week accepted Kessler’s appointment to represent the company in a lawsuit filed by consumers challenging the merger, marking the first legal challenge to the deal.

In a statement, Kessler dismissed the complaint as “baseless,” calling it “political scaremongering” that lacked merit. “What we do learn from the complaint is that there is no credible antitrust case to be brought against the Paramount/Warner Bros. Merger,” he said. His firm, Winston & Strawn, has a history of taking on plaintiff-side work, including cases involving antitrust and consumer protection.

The merger, which would combine Paramount’s vast library of films, television shows, and streaming assets with Warner Bros. Discovery’s portfolio—including HBO, CNN, and DC Comics—has drawn attention from lawmakers and consumer advocates. California Attorney General Rob Bonta and others have raised concerns about potential monopolistic practices, though no formal action has been taken.

Paramount’s legal strategy aligns with broader industry trends, as media conglomerates increasingly face antitrust scrutiny amid a wave of consolidation. The company’s decision to preemptively assemble a top-tier legal team reflects both its confidence in the deal’s competitive benefits and its readiness to navigate regulatory challenges.

Ellison, a former Navy SEAL and co-founder of Skydance Media, has positioned the merger as a strategic move to strengthen Paramount’s position in streaming, live sports, and global content distribution. The combined entity would rival Disney and Netflix in both library assets and original programming, though antitrust enforcers will closely examine whether the deal could stifle competition.

As the deal progresses, industry analysts will watch for further legal developments, including potential interventions from the U.S. Department of Justice or the Federal Trade Commission. For now, Paramount’s legal team appears prepared to mount a robust defense, leveraging its deep bench of antitrust experts to counter any challenges.

Meanwhile, the merger’s cultural impact could be significant. Warner Bros. Discovery’s catalog includes iconic franchises like Friends, Harry Potter, and Godfather, while Paramount’s assets span classics like Star Trek and Mission: Impossible. The combined entity would also control major sports properties, including the NFL’s CBS broadcast rights and UFC events, further consolidating media influence.