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Astor Heaven

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Partner
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Areas of Focus

Overview

Astor Heaven is a first-chair trial lawyer and litigator who consistently delivers exceptional results. A military veteran, Astor exacts tough and disciplined advocacy, creates and fosters relationships, provides creative solutions, and deploys team member assets in a cost conscious and effective manner.

Astor’s ability to connect with clients, juries, and judges, and to simplify complex legal issues has made him a formidable presence in and out of the courtroom and has contributed to a substantial list of successful outcomes, both in terms of verdicts and settlements.

Astor possesses a wealth of experience in navigating complex legal landscapes, most frequently representing government contracting, defense, technology, and insurance clients in high-stakes commercial disputes, trade secret misappropriation disputes, restrictive covenant and employee mobility disputes, and lease disputes.  He has tried cases to verdict, and has litigated and arbitrated commercial disputes related to teaming agreements, technology transfers, leases, military sales, and various other commercial and trade secret issues.  He has also prosecuted and defended requests for emergency relief (including TROs and Preliminary Injunctions) and has substantial experience litigating antitrust matters.    

Beyond his trial and litigation prowess, Astor builds lasting relationships with his clients; he listens attentively and ensures clients’ voices are heard and their interests fiercely protected. His deep understanding of the law, sharp analytical skills, and attention to detail allow him to craft innovative legal strategies tailored to each client's unique needs.

Astor also counsels clients on trade secrets related matters, including conducting audits, managing risk, and performing other assessments of trade secret strength and protection. A frequent speaker, Astor has presented regarding trade secret issues at AIPLA, PLI and other conferences. 

Astor also maintains an active pro bono practice. He partners with the Montgomery County, Maryland Office of the Public Defender and through the partnership has successfully represented criminal defendants on a range of matters, including through trial. Astor has also successfully represented domestic violence victims in U-Visa and T-Visa proceedings. He is very active in the community. Astor currently serves as a trustee for the U.S. Naval Academy Foundation Athletic and Scholarship Program. He is also a Board Member for three separate organizations – Bethesda Soccer Club, Generation Hope and Neighborhood Legal Services Program.

Astor graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1997, where he was a two-year letter winner on the football team. He subsequently attended American University Washington College of Law. 

Career & Education

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    • American University Washington College of Law, J.D., 2005
    • U.S. Naval Academy, 1997
    • American University Washington College of Law, J.D., 2005
    • U.S. Naval Academy, 1997

    • District of Columbia
    • Maryland
    • U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
    • U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
    • District of Columbia
    • Maryland
    • U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
    • U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
My military and athletic background have really provided the blueprint for how I approach trial and litigation. I want every team member fully invested in the success of the team, which means each member needs ownership in the matter, whether a partner, counsel, an associate, or a paralegal. Those are the teams that are most effective and that get the best results.

Astor's Insights

Client Alert | 5 min read | 04.03.25

House Settlement Approval Hearing Set for April 7: A Brief Primer

The settlement approval hearing in In re College Athlete NIL Litigation, No. 4:20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal.) is set for April 7, 2025. Commonly known as the “House Settlement,” the pending resolution between plaintiffs and the NCAA, if approved by Judge Claudia Wilken, could have far-reaching implications for higher education NCAA-member institutions and student-athletes....

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Representative Matters

Complex Commercial Litigation

  • Representing an insurance broker in an employee mobility matter involving claims of breach of contract, tortious interference of contract, and breach of fiduciary duty.
  • Representing a communications client in a matter involving allegations of breach of a lease agreement.
  • Representing a technology entity in a class action involving claims of fraud, fraudulent concealment, and violations of various state consumer protections and unfair competitions statutes.
  • Representing a government contractor in litigation involving the breach of a lease agreement.
  • Representing a defense contractor in an international arbitration regarding an offset transaction associated with a foreign military sale transaction.
  • Representing a defense contractor in litigation regarding an offset transaction associated with a foreign military sale transaction.
  • Representing a government contractor in AAA arbitration pertaining to the breach of a non-solicitation agreement.
  • Representing a defense contractor in an international arbitration pertaining to a commercial dispute with a subcontractor.
  • Representing a device manufacturer as a plaintiff in a copyright infringement lawsuit regarding an automotive performance programmer.

Trade Secrets

  • Representing Lenovo in a trade secrets misappropriation matter pertaining to software code used on a community website.
  • Representing a defense contractor in a trade secret misappropriation matter pertaining to the design and testing of certain U.S. Navy ships.
  • Representing a probiotics manufacturer in a matter involving claims of trade secret misappropriation, false advertising, and breach of contract.
  • Representing plaintiff E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company in a trade secret misappropriation matter regarding its Kevlar® technology.

Antitrust

  • Representing corporate clients in actions to recover damages resulting from a price-fixing conspiracy regarding Cathode Ray Tubes.
  • Representing corporate clients in actions to recover damages resulting from a price-fixing cartel regarding LCD panels.
  • Representing Humana in litigation against the U.S. Department of Justice in the DOJ’s attempt to enjoin the acquisition of the company by Aetna.
  • Representing a major U.S. airline in defense of Sherman Act Section 1 and Section 2 claims brought by the U.S. Department of Justice regarding slots at Newark Liberty International Airport.
  • Representing AT&T in defense of a nationwide antitrust class action relating to the iPhone.

Astor's Insights

Client Alert | 5 min read | 04.03.25

House Settlement Approval Hearing Set for April 7: A Brief Primer

The settlement approval hearing in In re College Athlete NIL Litigation, No. 4:20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal.) is set for April 7, 2025. Commonly known as the “House Settlement,” the pending resolution between plaintiffs and the NCAA, if approved by Judge Claudia Wilken, could have far-reaching implications for higher education NCAA-member institutions and student-athletes....

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Insights

Client Alert | 5 min read | 04.03.25

House Settlement Approval Hearing Set for April 7: A Brief Primer

Press Coverage | 01.12.24

Astor Heaven - Big Law Litigation Partner at Crowell & Moring (Podcast)

Blog Post | 08.09.22

NBA Star Zion Williamson Secures Wins on the Basketball Court and in the Courtroom, After Defeating Claims of Trade Secret Misappropriation

Speaking Engagement | 05.16.22

"Intellectual Property for Government Contractors: What’s New for 2022?" Back Together Again for OOPS 2022, Washington, D.C.
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