Michael Scot Gordon
Mr. Gordon is of counsel in the Vorys Akron office and a member of the litigation practice group. Mr. Gordon is a veteran trial attorney with more than 25 years of experience as a criminal prosecutor and defense attorney, and as a trial attorney in a broad range of civil litigation. While Mr. Gordon continues to defend individuals in white collar criminal cases involving allegations of fraud, conspiracy, and embezzlement, he more frequently defends clients in civil matters. He has defended numerous clients in a variety of matters, including breach of contract, construction disputes, employment discrimination, intentional tort, personal injury and toxic tort.
His notable experiences include:
- Heading the prosecution team for an international incident involving the collision of a U.S. military aircraft with a ski lift cable in Cavalese, Italy resulting in the death of more than 20 persons from countries throughout Europe. Investigative and prosecutorial efforts required coordination of U.S. government assets, requests for assistance pursuant to international agreements, direct work with Italian authorities and judiciary, and ongoing public affairs management
Mr. Gordon is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and the Akron Bar Association. He is also a former member of The Honorable John M. Manos Inn of Court.
Mr. Gordon has been a presenter for the “Pretrial Motions” portion of the Ohio State Bar Association’s Seminar for New Attorneys.
Mr. Gordon received his J.D. from George Washington University National Law Center and his B.A. with high distinction from the University of Virginia. He received his LL.M. from the Judge Advocate General’s School of the U.S. Army and a second LL.M. from the University of Virginia School of Law.
Before joining Vorys, Mr. Gordon was a Staff Judge Advocate and prosecutor for the United States Marine Corps. He also served as an Assistant Professor of Naval Science at the University of Virginia and a Marine Officer Instructor for the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps. In this position he initiated and taught a pilot curriculum in ethics and leadership later adopted by the U. S. Naval Academy and the Naval ROTC programs nationwide.
Professional and Community Activities
- American Bar Association, Standing Committee on Paralegals, 2002-2005
- Akron Bar Foundation
- Facilitator "Justice Walking" program for Catholic youth focused on social justice issues, St. Mary Parish, Hudson, Ohio
- Lector, St. Mary Parish
- Volunteer, Catholic Worker of Akron - Peter Maurin drop-in center for the homeless
- Guardian Ad Litem, pro bono service in cases of abuse and neglect, Juvenile Court Division, Cuyahoga County
- United Way of Cleveland, Member Organizational Assessment Committee