Demian Ordway litigates for clients big and small in high stakes, bet-the-company disputes. Clients have praised Demian for being a top-notch lawyer under pressure, delivering excellent client service, superb writing, and winning strategic advice aimed at resolving disputes in the most efficient way possible.
Demian has extensive experience in antitrust, having long defended the payment card company Visa Inc. against Sherman Act claims asserted by virtually every merchant in the country in sprawling class action and multi-district litigation as well as in related disputes with retail behemoths Walmart and Kroger. Experienced in bringing antitrust claims as well as defending them, Demian represented Valassis Communications, Inc. in a massive trial against Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp., eventually helping to procure a favorable settlement while the jury was deliberating.
Demian also has significant experience in trade secret disputes. He is currently lead counsel defending EDO Inc., a media-analytics company founded by actor Edward Norton and tech entrepreneur Daniel Nadler, against claims by iSpot.tv over the companies’ respective IP. He also represented Zunum Aero, Inc. against The Boeing Company seeking compensation for hundreds of millions of dollars in losses resulting from stolen trade secrets, breach of contract, and tortious interference. Post-verdict proceedings are ongoing.
Demian has represented clients in a wide variety of other disputes in state and federal court. He was lead counsel for Collineo Asset Management GmbH in connection with its defense of a $160 million contract action and co-led the defense of Cowen and Company LLC against alleged copyright infringement claims seeking hundreds of millions of dollars. In both cases, Demian procured a favorable settlement for his clients.
Demian has also taken lead roles at his firm and in pursuing justice. He co-founded Holwell Shuster & Goldberg’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee, serving as its original co-chair, and has long overseen the firm’s information technology. He has devoted significant time to pro bono work, including most recently trying a case with the Legal Defense Fund of the NAACP in Arkansas challenging judicial districts and elections under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. He also has similarly worked with the American Diabetes Association, the Center for Reproductive Rights, The National Women’s Law Center, and the Brennan Center for Justice on matters of importance to him.
Prior to joining HSG, Demian was a litigation associate at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP and clerked for the Hon. Richard J. Holwell of the Southern District of New York and the Hon. M. Blane Michael of the Fourth Circuit.
Key Practice Areas: Antitrust; Trade Secrets; Banking & Financial Services; Business & Commercial; Securities; Trials
Year Joined Firm: 2012
Education/Alumni: New York University School of Law (J.D.), magna cum laude; Columbia University (M.A.); Harvard University (A.B.), cum laude
Updated Sep 2024
