During the 1980’s Mr. Ortega was the lead New Mexico litigator and trial lawyer representing U. S. WEST (now Qwest) in a series of cases known as the Inside Wire Antitrust Litigation. The largest case involving a number of states served by US West was brought in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico. The litigation was ultimately settled favorably to US West on a claims made basis on the eve of the first case scheduled for trial.