HPE Met With Top DOJ Leaders to Save $14 Billion Juniper Deal

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. and Juniper Networks Inc.representatives met with Justice Department antitrust enforcers last week in a final effort to persuade the agency not to challenge their proposed $14 billion deal, according to people familiar with the matter.

The high-stakes meeting between the companies and the Justice Department’s top antitrust officials typically occurs before the government decides whether to file a lawsuit. It’s often referred to as a “last-rites” meeting.

DOJ officials are ready to challenge the deal if necessary and have made their concerns known to the company, but no final decision on whether to bring a ...