Denis Shmidt
Litigation Attorney Specializing in Dispute Resolution
California
CA
"Denis was great. Was straightforward and to the point with his work and advice"
About
After working at an international law firm, the country's largest local prosecutor's office and a litigation boutique, I founded Orsus Gate LLP in order to better connect with clients and provide a more tailored service.
I now specialize in helping companies with early dispute resolution, mediation,… read more arbitration, and litigation.
upcounsel
experience
Practice Areas
Client Reviews
"Easy to work with"
"Amazing, clear and responsive attorney. Will continue to work with Denis as our company grows."
"Denis was a pleasure to work with! I will certainly use him again as we continue to grow our company."
"Working with Denis was an absolute pleasure. Being a cofounder and partner in an early stage startup means that you are constantly juggling an overwhelming amount of items to move the company forward – Denis is exactly the type of attorney you need in this scenario. His knowledge and experience in startup – his expertise in company formation, partnership disputes/agreements, and structure really made what could have been an extremely difficult situation for us a smooth and positive one. His attention to detail, clear communication, and flexibility is on point. Actually, working with Denis has personally been my best experience on Upcounsel. I will highly recommend him to anyone seeking counsel in the startup/small business space. Thank you, Denis. I look forward to working with you again."
"As an early-stage startup, I am extremely grateful for the knowledge and expertise Denis provided during a critical juncture within our company. Denis not only advised us on legal risks, but supported us through his research and even leveraged his own legal network to work on solutions that mattered to our advisors and investors. Orsus Gate gave us confidence instead of conjecture from what felt like a legal partner truly vested into the core of our business."
"I called Denis to handle our first lawsuit. He walked me through the process, tailored a plan specific to my needs, and took care of everything from start to finish."
Work History
Orsus Gate LLP
Founding Partner
Feb 2017 - Present
I am a problem solver. As your business grows, disputes will develop. I work to make sure that those disputes are taken care of quickly and efficiently, so you can focus on what you do best.
Lewis & Llewellyn LLP
Senior Litigation Associate
Jan 2016 - Feb 2017
- Advised technology companies on regulations, contract negotiations and employment matters
- Handled all aspects of litigation from intake to judgment, and beyond
- Specialized in alternative dispute resolution for both emerging and established companies
- Commonly acted as outside in-house counsel for developing companies
Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office
Deputy District Attorney
Oct 2013 - Jan 2016
- Oversaw thousands of cases and run a felony calendar
- Prosecuted seventeen jury trials to verdict and conducted over 250 preliminary hearings
- Authored and argued dozens of motions, ranging from pre-trial to post-conviction
Sacks Glazier Franklin & Lodise LLP
Litigation Associate
Aug 2012 - Sep 2013
- Specialized in California trust and estate litigation and mediation
- Successfully second chaired a probate trial on behalf of a major fiduciary institution
- Examined key witnesses and experts in a removal proceeding on behalf of a trust beneficiary
- Deposed named petitioner and main witness in a trust action against a major trust bank
Sullivan & Cromwell
Litigation Associate
Nov 2009 - Jul 2012
- Opposed class certification in antitrust action involving shipping services
- Oversaw the depositions of dozens of third party corporations in an indirect patent infringement suit
- Drafted post-judgment motions in a trademark dispute for a major shoe retailer
- Prepared briefs to the Puerto Rico Supreme Court on the interpretation of Puerto Rico’s antitrust law