Devon Holstad is an experienced trial attorney who represents clients in federal and state courts across the country. He focuses his practice on complex commercial and media litigation, corporate governance disputes, and government investigations. Devon first-chairs trials and arbitrations, takes depositions and argues dispositive motions, and has argued cases in multiple Courts of Appeals and state Supreme Courts.
Prior to joining Ballard Spahr, Devon worked at nationally recognized firms in New York, Chicago, and Minneapolis, where he first- and second-chaired trials for individuals and corporations in First Amendment matters, shareholder disputes, financial services cases, and class actions. Before law school, Devon was a newspaper reporter in Minnesota.
Devon also helps teach the next generation of lawyers by coaching high school and college mock trial and serving as a Director of the American Mock Trial Association.
Representative Experience
Representative Matters
- Represented a trustee in a breach of trust action involving the distribution of trust funds in relation to a sale of a $1 billion pharmaceutical company. Obtained complete victory for the client at trial.
- Represented owners of historic buildings in challenge to city ordinances on First and Fourteenth Amendment Grounds. Settled the matter favorably on the eve of trial.
- Represented doctor and reproductive rights researcher against defamation claim brought by medical device corporation regarding product which client criticized. Obtained dismissal of all claims.
- Represented students in a defamation action brought by a university professor after students posted complaints online about the professor’s portrayals of race and sexual orientation in artistic performances. Obtained dismissal under New York’s anti-SLAPP law with an award of attorneys’ fees to the students.
Professional Highlights
Pro Bono Experience
Devon regularly represents pro bono clients through Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, providing counsel for artists, musicians, and entertainment professionals in career-saving litigation that the clients would otherwise be unable to pay for.
Professional Activities
University of Minnesota, Adjunct Professor of Trial Skills, Mock Trial Program Director
Recognition & Accomplishments
The Best Lawyers in America, “Ones to Watch,” 2022-2026
Thomson Reuters, “Minnesota Rising Star,” Business Litigation, 2025
North Star Lawyer, Minnesota State Bar Association, 2021-2025
Board Memberships & Community Service
Board of Directors, American Mock Trial Association
Board of Trustees, Moran Olsson Michigan Innocence Clinic Trust
Credentials
Education
University of Michigan Law School (J.D., cum laude, 2014)
Student Attorney, Michigan Innocence Clinic
Loyola University Chicago (B.A., magna cum laude, 2011)
Admissions
Minnesota
New York
U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit