Leibowitz to take over FTC reins shortly

President Obama's swearing in was more than a week ago, but the Federal Trade Commission is still in the hands of Chairman Bill Kovacic, a Republican. According to sources at the agency, Chairman Kovacic was told this week that his replacement will be taking over the reins shortly. Though not officially announced, it could be the worst-kept secret in Washington that Commissioner Jon Leibowitz is expected to be moving into the larger chairman's office shortly. appointment is expected within a week. Who the president will appoint to fill the current vacancy on the commission is still unknown, but likely picks include Leslie Overton, a partner at Jones Day law firm, and Ann Malester, a former FTC lawyer now a partner at Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP. Antitrust lawyers involved with the transition said the appointment will "reflect the diversity of the antitrust bar."