Alexander Okuliar, a partner at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, has left the firm after nearly five years for a top role in the U.S. Justice Department’s antitrust division, where he will oversee litigation and merger investigations.

“Alex has distinguished himself throughout his career in the government and in private practice. We are excited to welcome Alex back to the division, where his elite antitrust experience will bolster the front office’s impressive ranks and help us fulfill our mission to protect American consumers,” Makan Delrahim, the assistant attorney general in charge of the division, said in a statement Tuesday.