Christine A. Varney, outside counsel for Netscape Communications Corp., was uncharacteristically circumspect when contacted recently about the landmark antitrust trial against Microsoft Corp.

Ms. Varney, of Washington, D.C.’s Hogan & Hartson L.L.P., has been her client’s mouthpiece, holding forth from the courthouse steps last October, when Netscape Chief Executive James Barksdale-the government’s star witness-took the stand, and appearing on television frequently during the case.