From 1978 to approximately 1990, Mr. Ortega was the lead litigator and trial lawyer representing Southern Union Company, the natural gas utility in New Mexico, in various aspects of the New Mexico Natural Gas Antitrust Litigation. Mr. Ortega was one of two lead trial lawyers for Southern Union Company in the liability jury trial of the residential class action brought as part of that litigation in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico. The litigation was ultimately settled on the eve of a scheduled second jury trial after the case was transferred to the District of Colorado.