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States pursue Microsoft
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October 25, 2001: 7:21 a.m. ET
Report: Counsel named to seek antitrust remedies against software maker.
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NEW YORK (CNNmoney) - The 18 states suing Microsoft Corp. are expected to name a prominent Washington trial lawyer as their lead counsel Thursday, signaling the states' determination to see the case through until their terms are met, according to a published report.
The states' hiring of lawyer Brendan Sullivan comes as officials have expressed concern that any settlement reached will not be sufficient to curb Microsoft's anti-competitive behavior, according to the Wall Street Journal.
U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly ordered the two sides into around-the-clock settlement talks last month with a Nov. 2 deadline.
"This sends a powerful message," New York anti-trust lawyer Stephen Axxinn told the paper. "It says the states are now prepared to litigate this all the way."
State officials said the hiring of Sullivan does not signal a split with the Justice Department -- but if a settlement from the talks is inadequate, Sullivan will represent the states in remedy hearings, the paper reported.
If the case does come to trial, it will pit Sullivan against a familiar face. Sullivan successfully defended Oliver North in the Iran-Contra trial against Chicago lawyer Dan Webb, the current co-counsel for Microsoft.
Click here for coverage of the Microsoft trial
The news of Sullivan's hiring comes as Microsoft releases it new operating system, Windows XP, Thursday.
Microsoft (MSFT: Research, Estimates) stock gained 89 cents to $61.32 Wednesday. 
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