Facebook Seeks to DQ Antitrust Plaintiffs’ Firm Over New Hire

Facebook Inc. is seeking to disqualify one of the law firms leading a case over its alleged scheme to squash rival startups, arguing in California federal court that Keller Lenkner LLC should step aside after hiring an attorney who spent six months preparing the tech giant’s antitrust defense.

“Notwithstanding the obvious conflict of interest created by an attorney switching sides,” Keller Lenkner didn’t screen its new hire until four months after he started, the company says. “Facebook can never know which of the firm’s actions are tainted by that ethical violation.”

Keller Lenkner managing partner Travis Lenkner declined to comment ...