Gary P. Gordon

Member

Gary P. Gordon's practice focuses on regulatory matters, state procurement issues, constitutional issues, and litigation.

He appears before various State boards and commissions including the Public Service Commission, the Board of State Canvassers, and other administrative agencies and is recognized as one of the State's leading authorities on Election and Campaign Finance law. He has litigated and continues to litigate cases at all levels of State and Federal courts. Gary frequently speaks to groups on election and campaign finance matters and has been called on to provide advice and testimony to the Legislature on public employment issues.

Prior to joining Dykema, Gary was Chief Deputy Attorney General for the State of Michigan. He had responsibility for all operations of the office including human resources, budget, legislative liaison, communications, and oversight of all law divisions, consisting of approximately 300 attorneys.

Before his appointment as Chief Deputy, Gary was Governmental Affairs Bureau Chief, responsible for overseeing the Public Employment, Elections, and Tort Division, Transportation Division, Highway Negligence Division, Corrections Division, Labor Division, and Civil Rights Division. While Bureau Chief, he continued to actively litigate election related cases and to act as the general counsel for the Department of State in all election, campaign finance and lobby law related matters.

His 30 years with the Attorney General included litigation of utility, environmental, tort, employment and discrimination cases in addition to drafting of opinions, legislation, and rules.

Education

- Wayne State University, J.D.
- Michigan State University, B.A., with honors

Bar and Court Admissions

Bar Admissions
- Michigan, 1976
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court

Professional Recognition

- Named "Lawyer of the Year" by The Best Lawyers in America^®for Government Relations Practice, 2011, 2016, 2021, 2024
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America^®for Administrative/Regulatory Law; First Amendment Law; Government Relations Practice; Energy Regulatory Law, 2010-2024
- Fellow of the State Bar of Michigan Foundation
- Named a Michigan Leading Lawyer in the area of Election, Political & Campaign and Governmental, Municipal, Lobbying & Administration Law by the Leading Lawyers Network, 2014-2017. Law Bulletin Publishing Company
- Recognized in Michigan Super Lawyers^® for Administrative Law, Appellate, Government Relations, Legislative & Governmental Affairs, and Constitutional Law, 2019-Present
- Recipient of the 33rd Annual Distinguished Brief Award, Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law Review, 2018
- Recipient of an AV^® Preeminent™ Rating by Martindale-Hubbell

Affiliations

- State Bar of Michigan
- Certified Facilitative Mediator, Ingham County Circuit Court
- Member of the Case Evaluation Panel in Ingham County, Labor and Employment Cases

Lansing 517-374-9133

Areas of client focus

Practices

Government Solutions Political Compliance, Elections, and Campaign Finance Healthcare Government Investigations and Corporate Compliance Appellate and Critical Motions Administrative Hearings and Licensing Long-Term and Post-Acute Care Providers First Amendment Healthcare Compliance

Industries

Energy and Natural Resources Education Power and Utilities Cannabis

Latest News and Insights

Blog Posts9.1.23

Michigan Court of Appeals Orders Placement of Cannabis-Related City Charter Amendment on November 2023 Ballot

In a significant decision for cannabis advocates and the cannabis industry, on September 1, 2023,…

Press Releases8.17.23

194 Dykema Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 and Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch”

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that 194 of its attorneys, in multiple practice…

Press Releases8.11.23

46 Dykema Attorneys Named to 2023 Michigan Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that 25 of its attorneys from the firm’s…

Over 20 years as general counsel to the Michigan Board of State Canvassers and the Department of State on all election, campaign finance and lobby law matters.
As Chief Deputy Attorney General, acted as the policy and legal advisor to the Attorney General with direct oversight of the opinions and appellate operations as well as overseeing significant state litigation.
Over 20 years in charge of defense of all employment discrimination cases brought by Executive, Judicial and Legislative Branch employees against the State of Michigan in federal and state courts, before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Michigan Civil Rights Commission.
Day-to-day legal advice on all employment and labor issues including termination, hiring, Americans with Disability Act, Michigan Persons with Disabilities Act, Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act to the Executive, Judicial and Legislative Branches of State Government.
Mr. Gordon has drafted and edited opinions of the Attorney General, written scores of appellate briefs, and argued cases before the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, the Michigan Supreme Court, the Michigan Court of Appeals, and has drafted briefs for filing with the United States Supreme Court.
Successfully led the State of Michigan's defense of its congressional redistricting plan subsequent to the 2000 decennial census.
Successfully led the defense and argued in the Michigan Supreme Court, the constitutionality of the state's 2000 legislative redistricting plan.
Significant interaction with the Governor's office, lobbyists, legislators, constituents, client agencies, and private practitioners on a myriad of issues.
Over 20 years as general counsel to the Office of State Employer dealing with all aspects of management side public employment law including collective bargaining issues, grievances, reductions-in-force, wages, agency fees, other union issues, and preparation for Act 312 arbitration.
Handled a myriad of issues before the Public Service Commission including security issuances, rate cases, pipeline routing, and other matters relating to utility regulation.
Has assisted in drafting, editing, and review of legislation; drafting, editing, and review of administrative rules and policies for the various departments and agencies; reviewed and edited Governor's executive orders.
During the 2004 general election, successfully defended the State of Michigan from a challenge under the Help America Vote Act through presentation of direct testimony, cross-examination, extensive briefing, and argument before the District Court and appeal to the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Litigated dozens of cases involving statutory interpretation and constitutional questions regarding issues related to all aspects of elections including ballot access for ballot questions and candidates, recounts and recall.
Appeared on behalf of state defendants before the Civil Service Commission, has handled cases brought before the Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Presented cases before the Water Resources Commission and the Air Pollution Control Commission.
Frequent public speaker on election law and labor relations issues to groups including the National Association of State Election Directors, the Michigan Judicial Conference, Michigan Clerk's Association, State Personnel Director's Conference, Statewide Conferences on Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action.

Lansing 517-374-9133

Areas of client focus

Practices

Industries

Energy and Natural Resources Education Power and Utilities Cannabis

09.01.23

Michigan Court of Appeals Orders Placement of Cannabis-Related City Charter Amendment on November 2023 Ballot

Blog Posts

In a significant decision for cannabis advocates and the cannabis industry, on September 1, 2023, the Michigan Court of Appeals issued an opinion directing the placement of a cannabis-related charter…
08.17.23

194 Dykema Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 and Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch”

Press Releases

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that 194 of its attorneys, in multiple practice areas and markets, have been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© 2024 guide and the Best…
08.11.23

46 Dykema Attorneys Named to 2023 Michigan Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists

Press Releases

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that 25 of its attorneys from the firm’s Michigan offices—and from multiple practice areas—were named to the 2023 Super Lawyers list by Michigan…
01.27.23

Law360 Profiles Dykema’s Cannabis Team as a 2022 “Practice Group of the Year”

Press Mentions

Dykema’s Cannabis Team was profiled by Law360 as part of its recognition as a “Practice Group of the Year” in Cannabis Law for 2022. In the profile, "Cannabis Group Of The Year: Dykema," Law360…
01.17.23

Dykema’s Cannabis Group Named “Practice Group of the Year” by Law360

Press Releases

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced that its Cannabis Industry Group was recognized as a “Practice Group of the Year” in Cannabis Law for 2022 by Law360. Dykema is one of only three firms…
08.18.22

180 Dykema Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2023 and Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch”

Press Releases

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that 180 of its attorneys, in multiple practice areas and markets, have been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© 2023 guide and the Best…

View All

Lansing 517-374-9133

Areas of client focus

Practices

Industries

Energy and Natural Resources Education Power and Utilities Cannabis

Gary P. Gordon

Bar Admissions

Court Admissions

Contact

Areas of client focus

Practices

Industries

Latest News and Insights

Contact

Areas of client focus

Practices

Industries

Michigan Court of Appeals Orders Placement of Cannabis-Related City Charter Amendment on November 2023 Ballot

Blog Posts

194 Dykema Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 and Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch”

Press Releases

46 Dykema Attorneys Named to 2023 Michigan Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists

Press Releases

Law360 Profiles Dykema’s Cannabis Team as a 2022 “Practice Group of the Year”

Press Mentions

Dykema’s Cannabis Group Named “Practice Group of the Year” by Law360

Press Releases

180 Dykema Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2023 and Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch”

Press Releases

Contact

Areas of client focus

Practices

Industries