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Matthew Bester says what he likes most about his role at Accenture is the sheer variety of work his job encompasses. With a workforce of nearly 800,000 employees across 120 countries, Bester’s purview ranges wide as director of competition law and confidentiality compliance at the global professional services company.
“This is a big place, and it’s much bigger than when I started here in 2012,” the attorney says. “What makes this job challenging is also what keeps it so interesting. There’s always something new to learn and to try and get your arms around. There are always new technological changes that shift the way the business operates. Staying current is the only way to be effective.”
At Accenture, Bester designed, staffed, and led all elements of the company’s global program, from risk assessments and training to regulatory filings and mergers. Bester has handled commercial partnerships, government contracts, emerging tech, and a great deal of work for a lean in-house team.
Bester says outside counsel is vital for a company that seems to be operational just about everywhere.
“We often need to understand the nuances of merger control rules or an evaluation of something that’s happening specific to one particular geographic area or region,” Bester explains. “Sometimes providing the best advice hinges on really getting down into the details of a place that our in-house team doesn’t live in or hasn’t practiced in. That’s when external advisor partnerships are so key.”
For that lean team, Bester says he’s proud of a group that understands how to prioritize what’s truly important for the business. The director says his team is composed of “truly great people,” ones who operate with autonomy and the understanding that if they need Bester, he’ll be right there alongside them.
“If I’m hiring someone, I’m looking for people that are curious, intelligent, and feel comfortable providing advice to their clients without needing to check with me every time,” Bester says. “There are times when my input is needed, but I believe in hiring people whose judgment I can trust.”
If you can be sure of one thing, it’s Bester’s assessment of judgement. When Accenture landed Bester in 2012, the company welcomed a nearly ten-year veteran of the US Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division who led merger and civil non-merger investigations and litigation in the media, music licensing, digital content, and financial services industries.
The pace, scope, and variety of work on behalf of the federal government, Bester says, offered something rarely matched in private practice. He got the chance to take on immense responsibility early, bolstered by the idea of serving the best interest of the public at large.
“We always went to work asking ourselves what the right thing to do was,” Bester explains. “The client was the federal government and, really, the general public. That’s unique. Anywhere else, your client is a company or an individual. Here, it was the public interest.”
During his tenure at Kellogg Hansen, one of the largest antitrust trial victories in history saw Bester at the heart of the action. Conwood Co., L.P. v. U.S. Tobacco Co. saw a 13.5 percent market share company accusing the USTC of unlawful monopolization, alleging predatory tactics such as sabotaging point-of-sale materials and forging exclusive retailer deals to squeeze out competition.
“I worked on that case almost from the start,” Bester recalls.
Bester’s interest in law is most readily connected to his aunt, who pursued her legal degree later in life and, ultimately, became a judge.
“She really planted the seed for me about a career in law,” Bester says. “The career seemed to fit with my kind of personality and the things that I’m interested in.”
And now, thirteen years into his role at Accenture, Bester continues to find new ways to grow. Whether that’s building out entire compliance or confidentiality programs, advising senior management on competition law issues, or evolving along with the rest of his massive organization, there’s always something new on his desk. Given his track record, he seems grateful for the continuing challenge.
“Matt has been a close colleague and friend for over 15 years. As a trusted partner, his antitrust expertise, integrity, and collaborative leadership consistently delivers practical, on-point, and business-focused solutions that have a lasting impact.”
–Creighton Macy, Partner & Global Chair, Antitrust & Competition
