IN THE NEWS
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Religious Exemption Requests Spark vaccine debates
Attorney Deborah Gordon speaks to WXYZ about coronavirus vaccine religious exemption requests.
$10.6 Award for physicians who were retaliated against
Deborah Gordon gains victory for physicians who raised patient safety issues in Kaki v Tenet.
Rochester community schoots contcts woman’s employer over critical social media posts
Deborah Gordon files a federal lawsuit supporting a mother of 2 who lost her job following social media posts. See WDIV coverage here.
Biden administration reviews Title IX rules
Deborah Gordon speaks about issues facing the accused in college sexual assault cases
Milman V Fieger lawsuit
Deborah Gordon represents a former attorney at Fieger Law claiming Geoffrey Fieger fired her when she tried to take paid time off to care for her sick child at the beginning of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. See WDIV coverage and WJBK stories here and here.
Ex-magistrate sues judge, court administrator over firing.
Deborah Gordon files a federal whistleblower lawsuit against the 36th District Court's chief judge and acting administrator.
Workers rights during the Coronavirus crisis
Attorney Deborah Gordon answers employment questions on Fox 2
Suspended U-M Dearborn whistleblower sues school
Deborah Gordon represents U-M whistleblower in a case where sexual abuse statistics may have been altered.
U-M wrestling sex abuse investigation
Employment and Civil Rights attorney Deborah Gordon speaks to WXYZ about sexual abuse allegations against the former U of M wrestling team physician.
Major changes coming for Title IX sexual assault and harassment investigations
WXYZ speaks with Deborah Gordon regarding the Trump Administration's changes to Title IX investigations.
Man files lawsuit over allegations of racial profiling at TCF Bank
TCF bank has Livonia police called in on a man trying to deposit checks from a racial discrimination lawsuit. For more Banking while Black and TCF Lawsuit WXYZ
Cardiologists claim DMC retaliated for citing problems, including needless patient deaths
A pair of cardiologists who were fired from their leadership positions at the Detroit Medical Center are suing the health system after raising concerns about problems affecting patient care. The latest from Michigan Radio.
Accuser commits perjury in sexual assault lawsuit against attorney Mike Morse
A well-known attorney is accused of sexual assault by woman represented by a rival lawyer in what he describes as a money grab. Read the latest in the Detroit Free Press, with Deb's comments, here.
Students deprived of Due Process
Students accused of sexual misconduct are deprived of the due process rights to a hearing and cross-examination offered to all other students – Deborah Gordon Law won our appeal in the Sixth Circuit – covered by both Fox 2 and the Detroit Free Press.
A towing racket, excessive force, and corruption in the city of Melvindale resulted in the former Police Chief's wrongful termination. Read the latest, with Deb's comments, here.
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Federal judge to hear case of transgender employee fired from funeral home Detroit News 8/17/2016
Employee files whistleblower against Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith WXYZ 7/25/2016
Former waitresses at Royal Oak's Beirut Palace file federal lawsuit against owner - Oakland Press 7/7/2016
Adell Broadcasting to pay $1.3 million to estate of former WADL-TV employee - Crain's Detroit 12/9/2015
Court workers fired 11 years ago ordered reinstated - Macomb Daily 9/11/2015
Fired Detroit funeral home worker may shape transgender rulings – Crains Detroit Business 8/23/2015
UPDATED: Court workers fired 11 years ago ordered reinstated- September 11, 2015
How an interview with Detroit talk show host Lou Gordon effectively ended Mitt Romney's father's presidential hopes - MLIVE 2/24/2012
Court workers, accused of lying, get $2.2M jury verdict -Lawyers Weekly 2/10/2012
Detroit settles suit with former aide to councilwoman Reeves - CBS 9/27/2011
Sexual harassment lawsuit against East Jackson Superintendent Paul Reeves settled - MLive 3/2/2011
Conversations Secretly Taped at School - MACOMB DAILY NEWS 11/14/2010
SOUTHGATE: City settles whistleblower lawsuit against judge - The News Herald 10/9/2010
Teacher's Aide Says She Was Fired for Reporting Third-Grader With Drugs - ABC News 3/9/2010
‘U' settles case with former Dental School student - Michigan Daily 11/1/2009
Feds seize former Pontiac school official's Jaguar, cash in probe - MLIVE 2/S6/2012
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She is featured in the following articles:
Family awarded $21 million in case of fatal brain surgery mix-up – Detroit Free Press 5/7/2015
Honigman Settles With Ex-Secretary Injured On The Job – Law 360 6/1/2011
Judge Wade McCree’s steamy shirtless pic could lead to hot water for popular figure – Daily Mail 4/25/2012
Ex-WCSX DJ sues, says she was harassed - Detroit News 11/18/2009
SUMMARIES & PRESS FROM DEB’S CASES
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A West Bloomfield family was torn apart when a rogue police department and rampaging prosecutor falsely accuse the parents of sexually abusing their severely autistic daughter. Deborah Gordon negotiated settlements and took Oakland County to court, earning the Wendrows $6.5 million.
Oakland to pay Wendrows $2 million for false sex allegations – Detroit Free Press 6/1/2015
Jury Awards $3 million to Wendrows in wrongful prosecution case – Detroit Free Press 11/7/2014
A controversial autism therapy unravels family – Time Magazine 6/24/2011
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University of Michigan’s first gay student body president, Chris Armstrong was enjoying his college days and popularity among his fellow students in 2010 when a man he’d never met before, assistant state attorney general Andrew Shirvell began stalking and publicly harassing him, launching a false and vicious attack on Chris via social media, accusing him of being a “radical, homosexual elitist.” He also began stalking Chris, showing up on campus and in front of Chris’ home. The abuse made national headlines. Deborah Gordon filed a lawsuit on behalf of Chris, and a jury awarded Chris a $4.5 million verdict. Shirvell was fired from his job and sued Deborah Gordon, alleging she had conspired with the AG’s office and defamed him. The court tossed Shirvell’s suit, calling it frivolous, and awarded Deborah Gordon sanctions.
Sanctions against Andrew Shirvell upheld – Detroit Free Press 2/2/2015
Federal judge dismisses lawsuit brought by an anti-gay attorney – Associated Press 9/17/2013
Jury orders lawyer to pay $4.5 million to gay University of Michigan alumnus – CNN 8/18/2012
Judge throws out Andrew Shirvell lawsuit against former U-M student body president - MICHIGAN RADIO 4/17/2012
Shirvell v. Gordon: Former assistant attorney general suing Bloomfield Hills attorney - November 3, 2011 OAKLAND PRESS 11/3/2011
Gordon not worried about Andrew Shirvell's suit - MICHIGAN DAILY 10/31/2011
Judge slams anti-gay former state attorney for trying to short-circuit lawsuit – The Ann Arbor News 10/12/2011
Shirvell files motion to dismiss claims made by Armstrong - MICHIGAN DAILY 5/11/2011
Andrew Shirvell seeks dismissal of stalking complaint, adds counterclaims to Chris Armstrong's lawsuit - ANN ARBOR.COM 5/10/2011
Report details past problems with former Michigan assistant AG who targeted U-M student body president with anti-gay attacks - ANNARBOR.COM 1/23/2011
Andrew Shirvell Was Warned Before Firing, Report Says – Huffpost College 1/23/2011
Attorney calls for retraction from a fired assistant attorney general who blogged about a gay student - The Oakland Press 11/10/2010
Michigan assistant AG fired after targeting openly gay student leader - CNN 11/9/2010
Attorney Andrew Shirvell ordered to pay 4.5 million for attacks on gay student – ABC News 8/17/201
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Tina Varlesi was a graduate student at Wayne State University, studying to become a social worker when she began a mandatory internship at a Salvation Army facility in 2008. Varlesi, who was pregnant, had outstanding grades and planned to graduate that year. Her internship supervisor, however, began telling her to wear looser clothing, warning that touching her belly was arousing the men at the facility and making other disparaging remarks. Varlesi was ultimately given a failing grade on the internship, despite her excellent academic record and was denied her degree. Deborah Gordon filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging pregnancy discrimination and retaliation. In 2013 a jury awarded Varlesi $850,000. A federal court of appeals upheld that judgement.
Pregnant-belly-rubbing advice costs Wayne State University $850,000 payout to student – Detroit Free Press 3/7/2016
Pregnant woman told not to rub belly wins lawsuit – Fox News Detroit 3/8/2016
Tina Varlesi claims WSU, Salvation Army discriminated against her for being pregnant and unwed – Huffington Post 12/08/2010
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Michelle Horton was a 14-year veteran clerk at the 48th District Court in Bloomfield Hills and had been named employee of the year when she was abruptly fired in 2004, falsely accused of leaking damaging information about the court. Deborah Gordon filed a federal lawsuit alleging a political motive for the termination, and during several days of testimony grilled three sitting judges, some who gave conflicting testimony about what happened. A disgusted jury took just hours to award Horton $3 million in damages.
Ex-court clerk wins $3 million – Macomb Daily 12/13/2006
Brian Dickerson: The jury speaks and a district court trembles – Detroit Free Press 12/13/2006
In our opinion: Put stops to court’s abuses, waste – Detroit Free Press 12/20/2006
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Michael Corbett had been a Novi police officer for almost 25 years with an impeccable personnel record when he began to feel pressure from the command staff to meet quotas when writing tickets. Quotas are against the law. When Corbett complained, he was threatened that he would not get his pension. He filed suit. Deborah Gordon helped him obtain a significant settlement.
Former Novi officer gets $280,000 in ticket quota lawsuit – Oakland Press 4/21/2014
Ex-Novi cop wins $280,000 in lawsuit over alleged ticket quota – ClickOnDetroit 4/18/2014