Bio
Cathy R. Gordon is a Principal in the firm's Casualty Litigation Department and has extensive experience in a broad range of civil defense litigation matters. She defends premises owners, employers, manufacturers, and suppliers in premises liability, products liability, and toxic tort cases nationwide. Ms. Gordon also represents companies in litigation involving property damage, fire loss, personal injury, employment-related matters, commercial disputes, environmental insurance coverage, and cost recovery claims. She also defends First Amendment rights through her representation and counseling of clients, as well as through consulting and drafting legislation. Her clients include utility, manufacturing, mining, and property management companies, as well as not-for-profit organizations.
Ms. Gordon has obtained defense verdicts for her clients in state and federal courts and has litigated matters involving personal injury, property damage, products liability, toxic exposures, environmental contamination and cost recovery, consumer fraud, and ADA claims. As appellate counsel, she represents clients in Pennsylvania appellate courts, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Courts of Minnesota and Wisconsin. In addition, she serves as Coordinating Counsel for clients whose toxic tort litigation extends across multiple jurisdictions.
In its 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 editions, The Best Lawyers in America© recognized Ms. Gordon in the categories of Litigation - Labor and Employment and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. For information about this selection and an overview of common third-party publications, rankings, and list methodologies, click here.
Education
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J.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Law, 1989
Order of the Barristers - M.P.A, University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, 1989
- B.A., University of Pittsburgh, 1985
Bar Memberships
- Pennsylvania
Court Admissions
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
Affiliations
- Allegheny County Bar Association
- Defense Research Institute
- Litigation Counsel of America
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Orr Compassionate Care Center, formerly on the Board of Directors
- Specialty Outreach Services, Chair of the Board
- Saxonburg Memorial Presbyterian Church, Elder
- University of Pittsburgh Varsity Letter Club, former President
Representative Cases
- Jesensky v. A-Best Products, et al., Case No. 06-3102, slip op. (3rd Circuit July 11, 2008), cert. denied (U.S. March 23, 2009)
- Jesensky v. A-Best Products, et al., 287 Fed. Appx. 968 (C.A.3 (Pa) 2008)
- Gray v. Badger Mining Corporation, 664 N.W.2d 881 (Minn. App. 2003); 676 N.W.2d 268 (Minn. 2004)
- Haase v. Badger Mining Corporation, 266 Wis.2d 970, 669 N.W.2d 737 (Wis. App. 2003); 274 Wis.2d 143, 682 N.W.2d 389 (Wis. 2004)
- Baldwin v. Badger Mining Corporation, 663 N.W.2d 382 (Wis. App. 2003)
Representative Matters
- Obtained a directed verdict in the Western District of Pennsylvania on behalf of a mining company in a consolidated trial involving three former refractory workers suffering from lung injuries caused by their work with our client’s raw materials
- Obtained summary judgment in numerous lawsuits filed against utility companies for injuries sustained while working on the utilities’ premises; established no duty owed to plaintiff contractors
- Achieved a very favorable settlement on behalf of a New York real estate development company in a federal lawsuit involving a traumatic brain injury sustained in an accident on client’s property
- Favorably resolved a contentious federal lawsuit on behalf of a UK manufacturer related to commercial claims related to the design, manufacture, and sale of its dynamic rail weighing systems
- Obtained a directed verdict in Winnebago County, Wisconsin on behalf of a mining company in a case involving personal injuries related to exposure to the client’s raw materials; the Appellate and Supreme Courts of Wisconsin upheld the verdict and, in a case of first impression, adopted the “sophisticated user” defense which led to the dismissal of all similar claims pending against the client in that state.
News & Insights
Education
-
J.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Law, 1989
Order of the Barristers - M.P.A, University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, 1989
- B.A., University of Pittsburgh, 1985
Bar Memberships
- Pennsylvania
Court Admissions
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
Affiliations
- Allegheny County Bar Association
- Defense Research Institute
- Litigation Counsel of America
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Orr Compassionate Care Center, formerly on the Board of Directors
- Specialty Outreach Services, Chair of the Board
- Saxonburg Memorial Presbyterian Church, Elder
- University of Pittsburgh Varsity Letter Club, former President