Philip J. Gordon
Top rated Employment Litigation attorney in Boston, Massachusetts
Gordon Law Group, LLP
Practice Areas: Employment Litigation, Class Action & Mass Torts, Business & Corporate; view more
Licensed in Massachusetts since: 1995
Education: Suffolk University Law School
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2004 - 2023 Details
Philip J. Gordon is a among Boston's best employment lawyers, and among the top employment lawyers in the nation. He serves as the managing partner of Gordon Law Group LLP , and has litigated some of the state's biggest cases, including the $40 million class action against Wal-Mart. Mr. Gordon handles many types of employment matters, including those involving wage and hour disputes and wrongful termination, and is an experienced an well-regarded employment attorney in Boston and beyond.
Mr. Gordon has over 25 years of legal experience and handles individual cases and class action lawsuits. He is a skilled negotiator and often uses alternative dispute resolution methods to obtain successful resolutions to complex legal disputes. As a litigator, he has experience in both state and federal court.
Recognized for his expertise, Mr. Gordon has been invited to write articles for professional publications and to lecture on employment law issues for professional associations. He frequently engages with nonprofit organizations facing discrimination or wage claims. Recognized for his achievements, he has been featured in “The Best Lawyers in America” from every year since 2016. The Boston Business Journal awarded him a “40 Under 40” award in 2006.
Active in the National Employment Lawyers Association, Mr. Gordon is chair of the legislative committee and the wage and hour committee, and serves on the class action committee. He also belongs to the American Bar Association Federal Labor Standards Legislation Committee, sits on the board of the Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition and participates in the Volunteer Lawyers Project Wage and Hour Project.
Mr. Gordon graduated from Bowdoin College and went on to earn his law degree from Suffolk University Law School, graduating cum laude. He is qualified to practice law in Massachusetts and New York and before several federal courts and the Supreme Court of the United States.
Practice areas
Employment Litigation: Plaintiff, Class Action/Mass Torts: Plaintiff, Business/Corporate, Appellate, Civil Litigation: DefenseFocus areas
Appeals, Business Formation and Planning, Class Actions, Employment Discrimination, Retaliation, Wrongful Termination
- 30% Employment Litigation: Plaintiff
- 30% Class Action/Mass Torts: Plaintiff
- 20% Business/Corporate
- 10% Appellate
- 10% Civil Litigation: Defense
First Admitted: 1995, Massachusetts
Professional Webpage: https://www.gordonllp.com/attorneys/philip-j-gordon/
Verdicts/Settlements:
- Lopes v. City of Brockton, Civil Action No. 1383-1350, Plymouth County (May 24, 2017) (judgment entered $4,470,364.78, following jury trial)
- Firicano v. Ryder Truck Rental, Inc., Civil Action No. 20141971-D (Mass.Sup.Ct., June 10, 2016; J. Wilkins)
- Salvas v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (2010)
- Rascon v. FedEx Ground Package System, Inc., et. al. (2008; update 2010)
- Eigerman v. Putnam Investments, SJC-09854, Nov. 5, 2007
- Don DiFiore & Others v. American Airlines, Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, SJC-10313, April 3, 2009
- Chach v. Michael Bianco, Inc., et. al. (2007)
- Carter v. Newton Hospitality, Inc., et. al. (2007)
- Electronic Data Systems Corp. v. Attorney General, Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, SJC-10260, October 24, 2008
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- Moderator, Boston City Council Citywide Candidates Forum (featuring 7 of 8 candidates for office, including the incumbent Council President) (October 11, 2005)
- Chair, "Litigating Wage & Hour Cases," Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (March 29, 2012)
- Keynote Speaker, "It's Not Just the Money", at a meeting of the 128 Innovation Capital Group (September 8, 2005); presentation co-authored with Neil Wallack, founding General Partner, Vision Media Investors
- Panelist, "14th Annual Employment Law Conference," Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (December 9, 2011)
- Testimony on proposed "Act to Protect Employees from Unscrupulous Employers"; hearings on S. 928 and H. 3775, before the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development (Massachusetts House and Senate) (June 15, 2005)
- Panelist, "Handling Workplace Challenges at Small Companies & Startups," Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (May 23, 2011)
- Lecturer, "Corporate Growth" at Technion University – Israel Institute of Technology, Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Management (January 2005, Haifa, Israel)
- Panelist, "FLSA Update: Classifying Employees Under the FLSA's Administrative Exemption: Are You Flirting With Disaster?" Boston Bar Association (April 27, 2011)
- Co-Chair, “Class Actions” panel at the “37th Annual Labor and Employment Law Spring Conference,” Massachusetts Bar Association (May 6, 2016)
- Chair, "Litigating Wage & Hour Cases," Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (March 15, 2011)
- Faculty, “18th Annual Employment Law Conference,” Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (December 4, 2015)
- Panelist, "Complex Issues & Emerging Trends in Class Action Litigation," Massachusetts Bar Association (January 13, 2011)
- Panelist, "13th Annual Employment Law Conference," Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (December 10, 2010)
- Faculty, “Independent Contractor v. Employee,” Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (October 21, 2015)
- Panelist, "10th Annual Consumer Class Action Symposium," National Consumer Law Center's Annual Consumer Rights Litigation Conference (November 14, 2010)
- Keynote Panelist, “17th Annual Employment Law Conference,” Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (December 5, 2014)
- Panelist, "Hourly Workers: Employee Rights, Employer Obligations," Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (June 17, 2010)
- Panelist, “Class Actions After Dukes & Genesis HealthCare Corp.: The Ongoing Attack On Representative Testimony In Class Actions,” NELA 2014 National Convention (June 25-28, 2014)
- Panelist, "Hourly Workers: Employee Rights, Employer Obligations," Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (June 17, 2010)
- Author, amicus brief on behalf of the National Employment Lawyers’ Association (Massachusetts Chapter), Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) and the National Employment Law Project (NELP), Don DiFiore & Others v. American Airlines, First Circuit Court of Appeals, Nos. 10-1108, 10-1167 and 10-1264 (August 27, 2010) – regarding the mandatory treble damages provision of the Wage Act.
- Panelist, "Advisen's Premier Wage-and-Hour Webinar" (June 16, 2010)
- Chapter Co-Author, Chapter 13, I and III), MCLE: Massachusetts Employment Law, "Overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and Massachusetts State Law: A Plaintiff's Perspective," and "Massachusetts Payment of Wages Law: A Plaintiff's Perspective" (MCLE 2008; 2009; 2010; 2011; 2012; 2013)
- Co-Author, amicus brief on behalf of the National Employment Lawyers’ Association (Massachusetts Chapter), Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS), Centro Presente, Chelsea Collaborative, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health (MassCOSH), Massachusetts Jobs with Justice (JwJ), Metrowest Immigrant Worker Center (MWIWC), Project Voice, American Friends Service Committee, and National Employment Law Project (NELP), Don DiFiore & Others v. American Airlines, Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, SJC-10313 (April 3, 2009) – regarding class action rules in wage and hour cases and retroactivity of the mandatory treble damages provision of the Wage Act
- Panelist, "At the Intersection of Technology and Employment Law," Boston Bar Association (June 7, 2010)
- Speaker, Compensation Law in the Pharmacy, 2008
- Author, amicus brief on behalf of the National Employment Lawyers’ Association, (Massachusetts Chapter), Electronic Data Systems Corp. v. Attorney General, Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, SJC-10260 (October 24, 2008) – regarding the treatment of vacation time as wages
- Panelist, "31st Annual Labor & Employment Law Spring Conference," Massachusetts Bar Association (May 11, 2010)
- Chair, Wage and Hour Issues, New England Regional Conference of the National Employment Lawyers Association, 2008
- Co-Author, amicus brief on behalf of the National Employment Lawyers’ Association (Massachusetts Chapter), Eigerman v. Putnam Investments, SJC-09854 (Nov. 5, 2007) – regarding the covenant of good faith and fair dealing in employment contracts
- Co-Author, amicus brief on behalf of the National Employment Lawyers’ Association (Massachusetts Chapter), Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS), Brazilian Immigrant Center (BIC), Centro Presente, Chelsea Collaborative, Chinese Progressive Association (CPA), Irish Immigration Center (IIC), Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health (MassCOSH), Massachusetts Jobs with Justice (JwJ), Metrowest Immigrant Worker Center (MWIWC), Project Voice, American Friends Service Committee, and National Employment Law Project (NELP), Salvas v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, SJC-10108 (April 28, 2008) – regarding the use of class action rules in wage and hour cases
- Chair, "Litigating Wage & Hour Cases," Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (May 4, 2010)
- Lecturer, Salary Negotiations: Aligning Your Interests and Lining Your Pockets, Harvard Business School Alumni Association, 2008
- Chair, "Executive Compensation Law," Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (February 3, 2010)
- Lecturer, Win-Win: Negotiating the Employment Relationship for Success, Harvard Business School Alumni Association, 2009
- Testimony on proposed "Employee Protection Act" hearings on S.726 before the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development (Massachusetts House and Senate) (October 28, 2009)
- Contributor, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation in the Workplace, Bloomberg BNA Books (October 2014)
- Panelist, "Redefining Employment Relationship in a Recessionary Market," Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (October 1, 2010)
- Co-Author, MCLE: Massachusetts Wage And Hour Treatise, "Timely Payment of Wages and Independent Contractor Status" (MCLE 2008; 2009; 2010; 2011; 2012; 2013)
- Lecturer, "Negotiating Employment Relationships," Yale University School of Management, Entrepreneurship Group (April 29, 2009)
- Author, "Massachusetts Employment Law: Strategies for Both Sides," Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (August 14, 2013)
- Retroactive Application of Wage Act Amendment is Fair, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly (June 15, 2009)
- Chair, "Litigating Wage & Hour Cases," Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (April 7, 2009)
- Wage Legislation Meets Needs of Employees and Employers, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly (May 5, 2008)
- Lecturer, "'Win-win' – Negotiating the Employment Relationship for Success, with Philip Gordon," Harvard Business School Alumni Association (March 24, 2009)
- Earned Wage Legislation is Good for Bay State Businesses, Mass High Tech (March 10, 2008)
- Panelist, "Litigating Wage & Hour Class Actions," Boston Bar Association (March 18, 2009)
- Chapter Author, Sales force Compensation: Wage and Hour Laws from the Employee's Perspective, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (December 2007)
- Lecturer, "Compensation Law in the Pharmacy," Annual Fall Health Care Symposium, presented by Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (October 30, 2008)
- Aligning Interests Improve Chances for VC Success, Boston Business Journal (October 14-20, 2005)
- Panelist, "Hourly Workers: Employee Rights, Employer Obligations," Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (June 19, 2008)
- Aligning Interests Critical for Biz Growth; Develop Strategic Compensation Techniques, Mass High Tech (August 29, 2005)
- Panelist, "Wage and Hour Issues for the Complex Workplace," Boston Bar Association (May 28, 2008)
- Directorships: Pot of Gold or Career Pothole?, Mass High Tech (December 29, 2004)
- Chair, "Wage and Hour Issues," a panel plenary lecture to the New England Regional Conference of the National Employment Lawyers Association (May 9, 2008)
- Lecturer, "Salary Negotiations: Aligning Your Interests – and Lining Your Pockets, with Philip Gordon," Harvard Business School Alumni Association (February 25, 2008)
- Angels Must Be Aware of Legal Hazards Inherent in Investing, Boston Business Journal (March 5-11, 2004)
- Lecturer, "Salesforce Compensation: Wage and Hour Laws from the Employee's Perspective," Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (December 11, 2007)
- Keynote Panelist, "16th Annual Employment Law Conference," Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (December 6, 2013)
- Lecturer, "Wage Laws: What Every Employee Needs to Know," Urban League of Greater Boston (2007-2008)
- Keynote Speaker, Human Capital Series, "Mitigating Your Employment Risks," Small Business Association of New England (January 30, 2013)
- Testimony on proposed "Act Further Regulating Employee Compensation" hearings on S.1059 and H.4663, before the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development (Massachusetts House and Senate) (2007)
- Panelist, "15th Annual Employment Law Conference," Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (December 14, 2012)
- Testimony on elder affairs before the Health and Human Services Committee (Massachusetts House and Senate) (February 15, 2007)
- Panelist, "Independent Contractor v. Employee," Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (November 27, 2012)
- Guest Speaker, "How to Guide a Constituent through a Wage Complaint: Employee Rights and Employer Obligations," sponsored by Senator Thomas McGee, Senate Chair of Labor & Workforce Development (February 6, 2006)
- Chair, "Executive Compensation Law," Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (June 19, 2012)
- Keynote Speaker, Lowell Workers' Forum (January 10, 2006)
- Panelist, "Employment Case Law, Legislative Developments & Trends Update 2012," Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (April 9, 2012)
Educational Background:
- Bowdoin College, B.A., Dean's List
Honors/Awards:
- Represented the United States in the International Competition, Suffolk University Law School
- Massachusetts Super Lawyer, Law & Politics and Boston Magazine, 2004 - 2017
- Top 100 Lawyers in Massachusetts, Law & Politics and Boston Magazine, 2005
- 40 Under 40 Award Recipient, Boston Business Journal, 2006
- First Place, Northeast Law Schools Regional Championship, Suffolk University Law School
- Best Lawyers in America, 2016-2018
- Top 100 Lawyers in New England, Law & Politics and Boston Magazine, 2013
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Wage and Hour Project of the Volunteer Lawyers Project, Member, Senior Partners for Justice
- National Employment Lawyers Association, Class Action Committee
- American Bar Association, Committee on Federal Labor Standards Legislation
- Maccabi Games 2004, Chairman of Hockey
- Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA), Board Member
Bar/Professional Activity:
- First Circuit Court of Appeals
- Massachusetts
- New York
- Past President, Massachusetts Employment Lawyers Association, 2010 - 2012
- United States Supreme Court
- Federal District Courts — Colorado, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and New York
- Chair, Wage & Hour Committee of the Massachusetts Employment Lawyers Association, Massachusetts Chapter, 2006 – 2019
Videos:
- Mr. Gordon discusses employer privacy policies with WBZ News, WBZ News, 2010
- Mr. Gordon discusses discrimination against people on the basis of Body Mass Index, NECN - The Morning Show, 2012
Selections
20 Years Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers: 2004 - 2023
