Title: Member
Mr. Ortega is a bilingual native of San Antonio, Texas. He routinely handles
complex litigation for national and international corporations. Mr. Ortega’s
trial practice involves a diverse array of cases but his primary focus
is in the areas of oil & gas, product liability, transportation, and
business related litigation. Mr. Ortega has tried a variety of cases and
he serves as regional counsel litigating cases across the southern United States.
Mr. Ortega took a four-year hiatus (2000-2004) from private practice to
serve as the Executive Vice-President of one of the largest, privately
held truckload companies in the country. He was responsible for the company’s
daily operation and its 2,000 employees. As a result of this experience,
Mr. Ortega represents long-haul and less-than-truckload trucking companies,
brokers and logistics firms with disputes involving commercial transportation,
federal and state safety regulations, independent contractors, insurance
coverage, freight claims, border issues and employment (including driver
hiring) matters. Mr. Ortega’s experience as a business executive
has given him tremendous insight to corporate operation that has proven
invaluable to his daily practice as a litigator and mediator.
Areas of Practice
Transportation Liability
Oil and Gas
Product Liability
Commercial Litigation
Mediator
Bar Admissions
Texas, 1994
Michigan, 2000
U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas
U.S. District Court Western District of Texas
U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas
Education
Drake University Law School, Des Moines, Iowa
J.D. – 1993
Texas A&M University, Texas
B.A. – 1989
Honors and Awards
Texas Super Lawyer, 2018
Texas Super Lawyer, Thomson Reuters Legal, 2013 – Present
Panel Co-Moderator – “Premier Forum on Defending and Managing
Trucking Litigation.” American Conference Institute, Chicago, 2011
Speaker – “Federal Court Jurisdiction, Venue and Removal.”
Western District of Texas Seminar, 2011
Keynote Speaker – “Lemon Law and Warranty Issues.” Kia
Motors America Seminar, 2004 – 2014
Panelist for (Transportation Industry Defense Association) 2007
Professional Associations and Memberships
State Bar of Texas
State Bar of Michigan
State Bar of Texas Disciplinary Rules Committee, 2015
State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting Committee, 2014 – 2015
State Bar of Texas Pattern Jury Charge Committee, 2010 – 2014
Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, 2013 – Present
Bexar County Advisory Committee on Elected Officials Salaries – 2015
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 2004 – 2012
American Inns of Court, 1998 – 2013
Mayor of the Town of Hollywood Park, 2013 – 2014
Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Trustee, 2001 – 2010
State Bar of Texas Ethics Committee, 1997 – 1999