Justice Robert E. Gordon was born in Chicago in 1937. He grew up in the city, first on Division and Damen and later in Logan Square. Justice Gordon is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Champaign and DePaul Law School, J.D., 1962. He began his legal career as a trial lawyer for a small insurance company, later litigated for Aetna Insurance (Cigna). After 18 years as a defense litigator, he switched to plaintiff personal injury, malpractice, (plaintiffs and medical providers) criminal defense, trade dress, workers compensation, condemnation, commercial, franchising, zoning, and sports law.
As an attorney, he was a principal in Gordon and Brustin; Gordon, Brustin & Schaefer; Gordon, Schaefer & Gordon; and Gordon & Gordon, Ltd., practicing as a trial lawyer for 34 years. In 1996, he was appointed to the bench and later elected to the Cook County Circuit Court. He presided over the most jury trials in Cook County for 10 consecutive years. He was assigned to the Illinois Appellate Court in 2006 and to date has authored the most opinions and dissents each year. Former Presiding Justice of the 1st and 6th Divisions, now the Presiding Justice of the 5th Division, and the Alternate Justice on the Workers Compensation Court for the First District.
Voted “Man of the Year” in 1972, 1973, and 1974 by homeowners in Northbrook, Illinois, for his legal zoning battles against the County and village representing homeowners pro bono. Elected Northbrook Village Trustee from 1975-1984 and became Chairman of the Northbrook Zoning Committee. Served as chairperson of the Council of Governments of Cook County, 1983 (over 500 Municipal bodies). Spokesperson for the council before the Illinois Problems Commission and media. Served as Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Illinois from 1985-1996. Member and Chairman of Local Board No.5 of the Draft Board for 20 years (1982-2002), and recipient of the U.S. Selective Service System Bronze Metal in 2002. Member of Operation PUSH and former member of the Juvenile Mentoring and Early Intervention Committee, and a sports historian. Former 10-year member of the Supreme Court ADR Committee, and member of the Educational Committee, member of the Appellate Court Administrative Committee, served on numerous Committees of the Illinois, American, and Chicago Bar Associations. Presently on the Board of Managers of the Decalogue Society, member of the Settlement Committee of the Illinois Appellate Court, and Treasurer for the United Council for Higher Education in Haiti. Recipient of Northbrook Park District Special Achievement Award (1974) for his help in acquiring land for parks through the passage of a referendum, the Richard Hollobow Public Service Award in 1978 for his honesty and hard work in government. Recipient of Decalogue Society of Lawyers President’s Award, 2008, Founders Award 2011, and the Justice Charles E. Freeman Judicial Merit Award in 2012. Conferred the title Distinguished Counselor by the Illinois State Bar Association in 2012. Past President and one of the founders of the Jewish Judges of Illinois, presently their Treasurer. Little League coach for 6 years, commissioner of baseball in the northern suburbs for 10 years, and former member of numerous school and park district committees. Married to Marilyn Statland-Gordon, his wife of 55 years, has 4 children and 8 grandchildren. Lives in Chicago.
As an attorney, he was a principal in Gordon and Brustin; Gordon, Brustin & Schaefer; Gordon, Schaefer & Gordon; and Gordon & Gordon, Ltd., practicing as a trial lawyer for 34 years. In 1996, he was appointed to the bench and later elected to the Cook County Circuit Court. He presided over the most jury trials in Cook County for 10 consecutive years. He was assigned to the Illinois Appellate Court in 2006 and to date has authored the most opinions and dissents each year. Former Presiding Justice of the 1st and 6th Divisions, now the Presiding Justice of the 5th Division, and the Alternate Justice on the Workers Compensation Court for the First District.
Voted “Man of the Year” in 1972, 1973, and 1974 by homeowners in Northbrook, Illinois, for his legal zoning battles against the County and village representing homeowners pro bono. Elected Northbrook Village Trustee from 1975-1984 and became Chairman of the Northbrook Zoning Committee. Served as chairperson of the Council of Governments of Cook County, 1983 (over 500 Municipal bodies). Spokesperson for the council before the Illinois Problems Commission and media. Served as Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Illinois from 1985-1996. Member and Chairman of Local Board No.5 of the Draft Board for 20 years (1982-2002), and recipient of the U.S. Selective Service System Bronze Metal in 2002. Member of Operation PUSH and former member of the Juvenile Mentoring and Early Intervention Committee, and a sports historian. Former 10-year member of the Supreme Court ADR Committee, and member of the Educational Committee, member of the Appellate Court Administrative Committee, served on numerous Committees of the Illinois, American, and Chicago Bar Associations. Presently on the Board of Managers of the Decalogue Society, member of the Settlement Committee of the Illinois Appellate Court, and Treasurer for the United Council for Higher Education in Haiti. Recipient of Northbrook Park District Special Achievement Award (1974) for his help in acquiring land for parks through the passage of a referendum, the Richard Hollobow Public Service Award in 1978 for his honesty and hard work in government. Recipient of Decalogue Society of Lawyers President’s Award, 2008, Founders Award 2011, and the Justice Charles E. Freeman Judicial Merit Award in 2012. Conferred the title Distinguished Counselor by the Illinois State Bar Association in 2012. Past President and one of the founders of the Jewish Judges of Illinois, presently their Treasurer. Little League coach for 6 years, commissioner of baseball in the northern suburbs for 10 years, and former member of numerous school and park district committees. Married to Marilyn Statland-Gordon, his wife of 55 years, has 4 children and 8 grandchildren. Lives in Chicago.