The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division has completed its review of Paramount’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. and concluded the transaction is not likely to substantially lessen competition. In most deal cycles, that would mark the end of the government review story. Here, it may be the beginning of the litigation story.

According to reports, attorneys general in California, New York, and potentially other states are preparing to challenge the merger anyway.

A D.C. Circuit panel appeared deeply skeptical of the Justice Department’s effort to revive Trump-era executive orders targeting WilmerHale, Perkins Coie, Jenner Block, and Susman Godfrey—an unusually direct clash between presidential power and the independence of major law firms.

At issue are executive actions that, according to the firms, penalize them for past client representations, internal employment and policy choices, and perceived political affiliations.