BakerHostetler announced today that Howard E. Cotton and Michael S. Gordon, both seasoned trial attorneys with decades of success in high-stakes commercial litigation, have joined the firm as partners based in New York. Cotton and Gordon come to BakerHostetler to continue their more than 20 years of working together as a successful litigation team. They arrive from Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, where Cotton previously held many leadership positions, including serving as a national co-chair of commercial litigation and on the national executive committee, compensation committee and board of directors.
Cotton is a prominent first-chair litigator who combines consummate litigation strategy and courtroom skill with a comprehensive understanding of his clients’ business objectives. Cotton has maintained long-standing relationships with his substantial client roster, including real estate developers and funds, hospitality companies, financial institutions, hedge funds, family offices, public and private companies and their senior officers, high-net-worth investors and entrepreneurs, and foreign governments. Recognized for many years as a New York Metro Super Lawyer in business litigation, Cotton is particularly known for his considerable expertise in complex real estate, corporate and financial services litigation, regularly leading litigations involving partnership and corporate shareholder derivative disputes, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, and breach of contract.
Gordon is an accomplished litigator who acts as advisor, strategist and advocate for a diverse group of clients in industries ranging from real estate and financial services to media and not-for-profit charitable organizations – including The Dramatists Guild Foundation, Housing Works and Marjorie’s Fund, on whose boards he currently sits. During his career, Gordon has handled virtually every type of business dispute and also has broad experience as a member of the Mediation Panel for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, which gives him a unique perspective in counseling clients on litigation strategy.
“We are pleased that Howard and Michael chose to make BakerHostetler their new home,” said W. Ray Whitman, chair of BakerHostetler’s Litigation Group. “Their extensive commercial litigation experience and their rare blend of strategy and counsel will provide immediate benefits to our topflight national litigation team.”
“Howard and Michael are two more excellent additions to our New York office,” said George Stamboulidis, managing partner of BakerHostetler’s New York office. “They have an outstanding litigation track record. Their commitment to collaboration across practice groups and teams resonates with the core culture at BakerHostetler and is something all of our clients can benefit from.”
Cotton received his B.A. from Cornell University and his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law. Gordon received his B.A. from Columbia University and his J.D. from New York University School of Law.
“BakerHostetler is a litigation powerhouse, and the firm’s substantial commitment to burgeoning new areas, such as cybersecurity and data breach response, allows us to offer clients a complete legal package that extends far beyond just comprehensive litigation support,” said Cotton. “I’m also confident that our broad base of real estate, corporate and fund clients will greatly benefit from BakerHostetler’s leading national real estate and corporate platforms, better enabling us to meet all of our clients’ business needs.”
“BakerHostetler presents a tremendous platform in litigation,” said Gordon. “Moreover, the firm’s national footprint and its commitment to collaboration across disciplines mean that we will be able to offer a more extensive menu of resources and services to our clients.”
With more than 360 litigators in offices coast to coast, BakerHostetler’s Litigation Group represents market-leading clients in virtually every type of case and proceeding, nationally and around the world. With a team of litigators comprising of former prosecutors, veteran civil trial lawyers and former enforcement officials from various government agencies, the Litigation Group has been recognized as a “go-to law firm” for its deep bench, commitment to client needs and tenacity in and out of the courtroom.
