Corey Gordon
Of Counsel
Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP
Related services and key industries
Biography
Corey Gordon is an experienced trial lawyer whose practice includes products liability defense, class action defense, toxic and environmental torts litigation, commercial litigation, appeals and other complex litigation.
Previously in his career, Corey served as a deputy attorney general for the State of Minnesota.
Professional experience
Collapse all- JD, cum laude, University of Minnesota Law School, 1980
- BA, Macalester College, 1976
- Florida State Bar
- Illinois State Bar
- Minnesota State Bar
- New York State Bar
- Wisconsin State Bar
- Won a landmark victory for an American multinational conglomerate corporation operating in the fields of industry, worker safety, healthcare and consumer goods in the federal Bair HuggerTM Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) securing the dismissal of one of the 10 largest MDLs in the country. The MDL court dismissed the more than 5,000 cases against the client after it entered summary judgment for client and granted the firm's motion to exclude the opinions of the plaintiffs' experts. Measured by the number of cases dismissed, the summary judgment win represents one of the largest-impact defense wins in history.
- Collaborated with the Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial, Inc., the Minnesota Historical Society, members of the Federal Bar, and other supporters to successfully secure the posthumous pardon of Max Mason, who was wrongfully convicted of raping a White woman in 1920. The pardon was the first ever in Minnesota state history, and was granted within days of the 100-year anniversary of his conviction and the brutal lynching of three Black circus workers in Duluth.
- Complete defense victory for an American consumer packaged goods company in putative class action based on allegation that their Hebrew National brand beef products are not "100% kosher." The case was first dismissed with prejudice by the federal district court in Minnesota after the court agreed with the defense's argument that plaintiffs' claims could not be adjudicated consistent with the First Amendment. On appeal, The Eighth Circuit agreed with the defense's separate argument that plaintiffs also lacked Article III standing to pursue their claims in federal court. Following remand to state court in Dakota County, Minnesota, the state district court agreed with both of the defense's arguments regarding the First Amendment and Standing, dismissing the putative class action with prejudice.
- Defended an American manufacturer and marketer of branded consumer foods against class action claims brought by residents claiming vapor intrusion from groundwater contamination from a former client facility. Class certification was reversed by the 8th Circuit.
- Defended an American manufacturer and marketer of branded consumer foods against a class action, on behalf of California purchasers, alleging that their probiotic yogurt did not promote digestive health as advertised. The court granted de-certification of the class's claims for damages, including its claim for punitive damages.
- Won summary judgement following a successful motion to exclude expert testimony that consumer exposure to microwave popcorn vapor was comparable to industrial-level exposure and the cause of lung disease. After Corey deposed the experts and presented the argument for their exclusion, a Washington federal district court rendered a 70-page opinion that excluded plaintiff's experts on Daubert grounds, granted summary judgment and dismissed all claims in favor of the client. Corey also argued the winning appeal before the Ninth Circuit. One of the excluded experts separately appealed the exclusion ruling on his own behalf. Corey achieved a dismissal of that appeal in the Ninth Circuit as well as a denial of certiorari by the U. S. Supreme Court.
- Achieved a defense jury verdict following a month-long trial in the first case of a consumer claiming that exposure to microwave popcorn vapors had caused her lung disease. Corey then successfully argued for affirmance of the verdict in the Missouri Court of Appeals.
- Won a complete defense verdict for one of the world's largest global innovation manufacturing companies in the first product liability multidistrict litigation (MDL) bellwether trial in Minnesota Federal District Court. The jury agreed with the defense that the warming device did not cause surgical site infections. This case is one of more than 5,000 cases in the Minnesota MDL all involving numerous complex novel scientific legal issues. Also secured dismissal of all Minnesota State cases.
- Best Lawyers - Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Best Lawyers, 2019 - 2024
- Best Lawyers - Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Best Lawyers, 2019 - 2024
- Top Rated Litigator, American Lawyer Media, 2022
- Attorneys of the Year, Minnesota Lawyer, 2019, 2020
- Diversity and Inclusion Award, Minnesota Lawyer 2019
- Minnesota Litigation Star, Benchmark Litigation, 2015-2022
- Minnesota Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2003-2007, 2014-2022
- Author, Righting Wrongs Through Posthumous Pardons: Max Mason, the Duluth Lynchings, and Lessons for the Future," 18 U. St. Thomas L. J., 2022
- Author, "Civil Remedies for Victims of Sexual Assault," The Impact of Domestic Violence on Your Legal Practice, A Lawyer's Handbook, American Bar Association, Second Edition, 2004
- Co-author, "Mass Actions: An Alternative for Mass Torts," Minnesota Trial Lawyer, 1997
- Co-author, "The Expanding Role of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design in Premises Liability," US Department of Justice Research in Brief, April 1996
- Co-author, "The Encouraged Misuse Doctrine in Products Liability Actions," Products Liability Commentary and Cases, March 1987
- Author, "False Allegations of Abuse in Child Custody Disputes," Minnesota Family Law Journal, 1985
- Mock Exam and Cross Exam of an Expert Witness," Consumer Brands Association Annual Legal Forum, Rancho Mirage, CA, February 2020
- "Minnesota's First Posthumous Pardon: Justice for Max Mason, 100 Years in the Making," Minnesota Supreme Court Historical Society CLE, November 2020
- "Understanding our Duluth Lynchings: Racial Violence in America and the Road to Justice and Reconciliation," Minnesota Humanities Center, Federal Bar Association, Minnesota State Bar Association, National Endowment for the Humanities, and Clean Water Land & Legacy Amendment CLE, June 2020
- "Connecting with Juries and Developing 'Good Company' Stories," Mock Trial Panelist, Consumer Brands Association Annual Legal Conference, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, March 2019
- "Protecting Your Brand During and After False Advertising Litigation," Grocery Manufacturers Association 2018 Legal Conference, New Orleans, LA, February 2018
- "Fighting Back Against Class Action Litigation," Grocery Manufacturers Association 2017 Legal Conference, San Diego, CA, February, 2017
- "Diacetyl, Flavorings and the (continued) March of Junk Science," Grocery Manufacturers Association 2016 Legal Conference, Rancho Mirage, CA, February 2016
- "Flavorings, Colors, and Other Additives: Managing Current and Future Litigation Risks," Grocery Manufacturers Association Annual Litigation Conference, Dana Point, CA February 2014
- "Is Diacetyl the New Asbestos? Flavoring Litigation in the Post-Watson World,: Grocery Manufacturers Association Annual Litigation Conference, Miami, Fla. February 2013
- Update from the Frontiers of Junk Science: The Latest Law and the Latest Trends, Grocery Manufacturers Association Food Claims & Litigation Conference, Dana Point, CA February 2012
- Torah Academy, Advisory Board (2002-2012)
- Circus Juventas, Board of Directors Chairman (2001-2010)
- Jewish Vocational Service, Board of Directors (2002-2005)
- Bet Shalom Congregation, Board of Trustees President (1992-2003)
- Minneapolis Federation for Jewish Service, Board of Directors (1994-1999)
- Jewish Family and Children's Service, Board of Directors (1992-1996)
- Minnesota Folk Festival, Board of Directors (1984-1988)
- Minnesota Humane Society, Board of Directors (1985-1986)
- Ethnic Dance Theatre, Board of Directors (1982-1986)
News
Minneapolis lawyers recognized with the IAP Special Achievement Award
September 26, 2023
Nine Minnesota lawyers named Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
July 21, 2022
Firm praises Blackwell’s judicial nomination
June 15, 2022