W. Gordon Dobie

Gordon represents clients in high-stakes disputes involving business torts and fraud, contracts, antitrust, unfair competition, securities, and RICO matters. In addition to winning for companies and executives on the defense, he has an active practice representing plaintiffs with more than $1.5 billion in judgments and settlements. As a seasoned trial lawyer, Gordon has a track record of success in important matters for clients.

Services	Complex Commercial Litigation, Antitrust Litigation, Technology Antitrust, Litigation, Class Actions, Securities Litigation, International Arbitration, Litigation & Investigations
Sectors	Financial Services & Banking, Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices, Technology, New Media & Telecommunications , Health Care & Life Sciences, Consumer Products, Energy & Infrastructure
Admissions	Illinois
Court Admissions	U.S. Supreme Court, Northern District of Illinois, Southern District of Illinois, USCA – 2nd Circuit, USCA ‑ 4th Circuit, USCA ‑ 5th Circuit, USCA ‑ 6th Circuit, USCA ‑ 7th Circuit, USCA – 11th Circuit
Education	Boston University, BA, 1982 Washington University – Saint Louis, JD, 1986

Gordon Dobie has been litigating high-profile business disputes for his entire career and has a practice that encompasses clients from across the United States and abroad. Recent matters include serving as lead trial lawyer in obtaining a $385 million judgment on a promissory note for the former Chairman of an international energy company––which he successfully defended on appeal. Gordon similarly won a major defense judgment for a pharmaceutical client, alleged to have monopolized a multi-billion-dollar market involving one of the bestselling pharmaceutical products in the United States.

His record includes victories at all stages of the proceedings – defeating class action certification, prevailing on motions before and after discovery to end cases, winning at trial, and preserving those victories on appeal. Large litigations frequently involve class actions, and Gordon is a veteran of more than 100 class actions and Multi-District Litigation cases. He also has significant experience with judgment enforcement and collecting on his clients’ victories even when assets are located abroad.

Gordon works closely with GC’s, Managers and Board Members to strategically address their legal issues and, has represented companies and individuals in a number of industries including, energy, pharmaceuticals, securities and financial sectors, telecommunications, consumer products, automotive, and agriculture. Gordon also has extensive experience assisting clients in cross-border disputes, with particular focus on Europe and Asia.

In the community, Gordon has been elected Chairman of the U.S. Midwest-Japan Association, which works with Governors of the ten Midwest states and Japanese governmental and industry leaders to further investment between Japan and the Midwest states – where there are now 1,600 Japanese businesses employing 150,000 Americans.

Experience

Business Torts, Fraud and Contract Matters:

• Recently resolved a case for a large overseas telecom that sued Hewlett Packard Enterprises (HPE) in California federal court, for the catastrophic failures of IT systems sold by HPE, which were alleged to have impacted the client’s 80 million mobile subscribers. Won all substantive motions, procedural battles, and successfully entered into a confidential settlement with the defendant.
• Won a $385 million judgment for the former chairman of a major coal company in a scorched-earth litigation battle defended by five law firms. As lead counsel, Gordon defeated all of the defendant’s substantive and procedural defenses, obtained preliminary injunctions to prevent collateral litigation, won ten contested appeals, and effectively managed worldwide dispute towards victory and an undefeated record. The matter has garnered worldwide media attention.
• Won dismissal of a case seeking hundreds of millions of dollars from a European bank. Presented case at trial court and in argument before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, which affirmed the dismissal of the claims of fraud and conversion against clients.
• Represented the former chairman of a publicly traded corporation in five-week jury trial, raising allegations of fraud and breach of fiduciary duty. The case ended through a highly favorable settlement with the corporation dismissing all claims and making payments to the client.

Antitrust:

• Currently representing a U.S. pharmaceutical company in defense of antitrust actions commenced by the State Attorneys General for 48 states, multiple civil antitrust class actions and three direct actions.
• Represented a U.S. government subsidized company, Solyndra, in antitrust litigation against three NYSE Chinese solar manufacturers, that dumped solar panels in the United States and that were alleged to have driven American solar companies out of business. Prevailed in hotly contested motions, through discovery, and reached favorable settlements for clients. This case and win have received extensive media coverage.
• Lead counsel for Southern Marketing Agency (alleged 65% market share defendant) in MDL antitrust case In re Southeast Milk Antitrust Litigation. Obtained summary judgment for client in indirect purchaser antitrust class action – with the other defendants marching towards trial or settlement. Successfully resolved remaining class actions for less than 5% of other defendants.
• Won summary judgment for a multinational pharmaceutical defendant in a certified antitrust class action alleging the defendant had monopolized a multibillion-dollar market involving one of the best-selling pharmaceutical products in the United States, with judgment affirmed on appeal.
• Approved by federal court as Special Litigation Counsel for antitrust investigation into record labels’ practices as part of RDIO bankruptcy and plan confirmation.

Financial and Securities Litigation:

• Won judgment of “not guilty” from Delaware Chancery and Delaware Supreme Court for directors and officers of a corporation faced with claims of breach of fiduciary duty arising from $609 million casino sale.
• Successful prosecution at trial court and Delaware Supreme Court requiring indemnification and advancement in connection with a billion-dollar securities/RICO action brought against the former chairman and CEO of a publicly traded corporation.
• Obtained judgments of no liability for a professional services firm in the defense of numerous securities class action lawsuits.
• Representation of board member/major stockholder in corporate governance dispute involving client’s removal from company’s Board of Directors. Case won, defeated declaratory judgment claim with client reinstated to Board and all legal fees reimbursed.
• Successful defense in three-week trial of NYSE gaming company in action by limited partners alleging insider transactions and self-dealing.

RICO

• Lead counsel for a group of sophisticated investors in litigation against off-shore banks involved in an elaborate international Ponzi scheme. Obtained $67 million settlement from one off-shore bank, and $330 million RICO judgment against another financial institution. Brought successful enforcement actions in the Caribbean courts, beat defendant’s appeal to UK Privy Council, and distributed more than 70 cents on the dollar to investors for their losses in this Ponzi scheme.
• Representing private equity companies in defense of RICO claims brought by large pharmaceutical manufacturers in New Jersey federal court. The matter is ongoing.
• Represented corporate defendant in RICO class action in Connecticut federal court involving investors in limited partnership. Case won with dismissal of client with prejudice

Representative Complex Litigation

• Obtained a $350 million recovery for unsecured bondholder clients in one of the largest bankruptcy cases in U.S. history, The clients’ bankruptcy claims had been previously rejected in their entirety.
• Representing pharmaceutical manufacturer in MDL litigation involving alleged sale of opioid related products. The matter is ongoing.
• Successful defense of a pharmaceutical company in mass tort and individual actions alleging that its product was defective and caused death and injury.
• Represented subsidiary of Gazprom in connection with litigation arising out of the bankruptcy of the Yukos oil company seeking to halt the sale of major assets by the Russian government. The Yukos bankruptcy case, which would have been the largest in U.S. history, was dismissed.
• Co-lead counsel in a tax lawsuit against the State of Florida. Following trial court and Florida Supreme Court judgments, clients received a full recovery on their claim of $188.1 million – the largest tax refund in Florida history.

Investigations

• Led an internal investigation of North America’s largest pharmaceutical test company stemming from an inquiry by the United States Senate Finance Committee related to alleged violations of government rules, death, injury of various human test subjects, and other business abuses. After publication of the report of the investigation and negotiation, the Committee concluded its inquiry into the company with a finding commending the company for its “renewed commitment to ensure the protection and ethical treatment of test subjects.”
• Led internal investigation and representation of a pharmaceutical company in connection with action by U.S. Attorney for alleged violations of good manufacturing practices and the production of allegedly unlawful pharmaceuticals. The matter was resolved with the government dismissing the action, with no fine or other censure against the company.

Honors & Awards

Gordon has been named in Chambers Global, Expert Guides: The Legal Media Group Guides to the World’s Leading Lawyers, and Super Lawyers. He is also an “AV” Peer Review-rated lawyer by Martindale Hubbell (highest rating in legal ability and ethical standards).

Gordon along with his cases and two partners were singled out by The National Law Journal as part of the firm being named “Chicago Litigation Department of the Year” for 2015.

Activities

Gordon was elected by the ten Midwest states as Chairman of the U.S. Midwest-Japan Association. He works with Governors of the Midwest states and Japanese governmental and industry leaders to further investment between Japan and the Midwest states – where there are now 1,600 Japanese businesses employing 150,000 Americans. The meetings typically involve the U.S. and Japanese ambassadors, Governors and senior executives from both countries.

He is routinely asked by the Northern District of Illinois to handle complex criminal matters on a pro bono basis.

Credentials

Gordon received a B.A., cum laude, from Boston University in 1982. He received a J.D. from Washington University in 1986, where he was awarded the Roos Scholarship for academic excellence, served as Managing Editor of the Washington University Law Quarterly, and was elected to Order of the Coif.

Publications & Speaking Engagements

Gordon is a frequent speaker at events involving the U.S. Midwest States and Japan.

Certain of Gordon’s cases have also been the subject of significant media attention. The press called his case against the State of Florida one of the “Top 10” news stories of the year. The Yukos litigation has been the subject of national and international media scrutiny, and The Wall Street Journal quoted Gordon in connection with the successful WorldCom litigation, among others. He was also quoted by The National Law Journal in an article entitled “DOJ’s Global Cash Hunt,” which related to litigation involving funds stolen by a former Ukrainian prime minister and his representation of Gazprom in that case. Most recently, Gordon’s work on the Solyndra antitrust litigation and Gliklad v. Cherney business disputes received extensive U.S. and worldwide print and television media coverage.

He has also been an author and editor for several publications, including:

• “Conference Closing Remarks from Midwest-U.S. Japan Conference,” Japan External Trade Organization, JETRO Chicago Midwest Newsletter, Vol. 28, No. 4, Autumn 2018;
• “Benefits of America Justice System,” Kommersant,April 6, 2016;
• “Gotham Goes Global,” Global Legal Post, November 2014;
• “Securities Litigation Practice Commentaries to United States Code,” 15 U.S.C.S. §§ 77 & 78, 2002 and LEXIS electronic version (2002-2011);
• Editorial Advisory Board, BNA Class Action Reporter (2000 et seq.);
• “Presumed Guilty, Assuming the Factual Truthfulness of Plaintiff’s Complaint in the Class Certification Decision,” United States Law Week, July 9, 2002;
• “Strategic Use of Communications with Putative Class Members,” Class Action Litigation Report, October 13, 2000;
• “Litigating the Yankee Tax: Application of the Lodestar to Attorneys’ Fee Awards in Common Fund Litigation,” 23 Florida State Law Review 897 (1996).