Gordon V. Dunn III

INTRODUCTION

Gordon is an accomplished trust and estate litigator who has handled tough jury and court trials as both first and second chair.

EXPERIENCE

He began his career as a deputy district attorney at the Orange County District Attorney’s office, gaining invaluable courtroom experience. As a deputy DA, Gordon first chaired numerous jury trials, often with only hours to prepare. This experience taught Gordon to work efficiently, be resourceful, and present complex issues to judges and juries.

Gordon then joined a prestigious civil trial firm in Orange County where he handled a wide range of litigation matters at both the trial and appellate levels, including prevailing in multiple trials involving complex trust and estate issues.

For example, in a heavily litigated trust dispute involving allegations of lack of capacity and undue influence that had dragged on for years, Gordon and his firm were brought in barely two months before trial to defend against the claims. The trial lasted nine weeks and involved over a dozen witnesses. Gordon conducted multiple direct and cross examinations and argued key pre-trial motions. As a result of these efforts, Gordon achieved complete success for his clients.

HONORS & AWARDS

His accomplishments have begun gaining significant professional attention. Gordon was selected for the Southern California Super Lawyers Rising Stars List in 2020-23, one of just 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state “who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.” He was also recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America from 2021-23.

COMMUNITY AND PRO BONO

Gordon is a board member of the Constitutional Rights Foundation, Orange County (CRF), where he previously served as the Chair of the organization’s Associate Board. CRF is a local non-profit, non-partisan education organization dedicated to promoting civic literacy, youth leadership, and career awareness among Orange County teens. Gordon first became involved with CRF as a high school student participating in the organization’s mock trial competition.

EDUCATION

Gordon received his B.S. in Economics from California State Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo and a J.D. from University of California, Irvine – School of Law. While in law school, Gordon prepared for his career as a trial lawyer by excelling in his trial advocacy courses, clinic experiences, and externships with the Orange County District Attorney’s office, and by serving as a Senior Staff Editor of the UC Irvine Law Review.

Gordon is certified to practice in California state courts, the Central and Southern Districts in California, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. When not practicing law, Gordon golfs, scores the CRF’s mock trial competition, and plays the daily New York Times games.