Gordon Mehler focuses on federal criminal and civil litigation. He has over 40 years of experience as a lawyer that includes almost 14 years as a federal prosecutor and over twenty-five years in private practice. He joined Walden Macht in 2022 after 21 years of running his own white-collar boutique.
As a defense lawyer, Gordon represented one of five defendants in the nearly six-month trial stemming from the Madoff securities fraud. He represented one of the original seven international soccer-related defendants extradited from Switzerland in the FIFA racketeering case. More recently, he obtained a no-prison sentence for a veterinarian indicted in a more than 30-defendant “racehorse doping” case, and he secured one of the first acquittals nationwide in a pandemic-challenged trial, with nearly all trial participants masked. Working pro bono for nearly two years, he and others obtained the release of two men wrongfully imprisoned for 13 years in the Palladium Murder case, later the subject of a two-hour Dateline NBC documentary.
As a prosecutor, Gordon served in Washington as a Department of Justice Deputy Assistant Attorney General during the Clinton administration. Prior to that assignment, he served as Chief of Special Prosecutions (now Public Integrity), one of the two white-collar crime sections in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. He has tried over two dozen cases to verdict (on both sides), including five lasting a month or longer, written many appeals, and was recognized for superior performance as a prosecutor by the Attorney General of the United States. On both sides, he has also handled many international cases. On the prosecution side, he served as his district’s domestic terrorism coordinator, and prosecuted the last transatlantic airplane hijacking (from Germany). He also worked overseas as the first resident American criminal justice advisor to the Romanian government. On the defense side, he served as an expert witness on criminal procedure in the High Court of Hong Kong concerning American extradition proceedings from Canada against a prominent Chinese executive. On and off the job, he has travelled to more than 100 countries.
Gordon initially wrote Federal Criminal Practice: A Second Circuit Handbook (Lexis Nexis 25th ed. 2025, 1690 pages) with two colleagues: John Gleeson, a former federal district judge, and David James, a former chief appellate lawyer in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. Alicyn Cooley, another former Eastern District prosecutor, has since joined them. United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg called the work “tremendously valuable” in her foreword to the book, which is now widely used by the private bar, judges and prosecutors as a go-to reference in the field. He has also contributed to over two dozen periodicals, including The Atlantic, Newsweek, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, American Lawyer, and Annals of Internal Medicine. Finally, he has served on the boards of several non-profits, including the New York Council of Defense Lawyers and as board chair of Jacob Riis Neighborhood Settlement, one of New York’s oldest settlement houses dating to the late 19th century.
Show More +Experience
Antitrust/Bid Rigging/Price Fixing Allegations
Representation of co-founder of two companies indicted in Maryland by U.S. Department of Justice’s (USDOJ) Antitrust Division on charges of conspiracy to engage in bid rigging and theft of trade secrets, involving Department of Defense aviation fuel contracts in Croatia, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan and Afghanistan. Client pled guilty on day of trial and was twice sentenced to probation despite sentencing guidelines of 51-63 months and government appeal to Fourth Circuit.
Representation of New Jersey pharma executive in nationwide federal and state price fixing and market allocation cases involving host of generic drugs.
Representation of Marsh & McLennan vice president indicted by New York State Attorney General on charges of bid rigging in insurance placements. Client sentenced to unconditional discharge.
Representation of German executive in charge of multi-billion dollar automotive business…
Asset Forfeiture
Co-representation with forfeiture expert of investment company employee, who fought successfully to keep family home seized through civil forfeiture complaint.
Representation of defendant who had forfeiture judgment vacated in its entirety after legal challenge.
Representation of advertising salesman charged in large-scale marijuana prosecution who was able to negotiate moderate monetary settlement in lieu of forfeiture of mother’s Manhattan apartment, where he was living.
Representation in state court litigation of Georgia restaurant owner who received investment monies embezzled from overseas bank. Civil settlement.
Representation of former CEO seeking recovery of severance monies seized by federal government from company’s largest investor following investor’s indictment. Civil settlement.
Representation of retiree who recovered money seized as part of federal sports-betting prosecution.
Re…
Bank, Mail and Wire Fraud Allegations
Representation of construction company vice president charged with mail fraud involving allegations of commercial bribery. Split verdict after trial. Client sentenced to probation with three-months home detention despite sentencing guidelines of 30-37 months.
Representation of businessman charged in five-defendant mortgage fraud indictment, which has been ongoing for over five years, alleging both bank and wire fraud involving dozens of properties.
Representation of mid-level executive charged in federal prosecution stemming from accounting fraud at Symbol Technologies. Client sentenced to probation despite much higher sentencing guidelines.
Representation of real estate development employee indicted federally in alleged $98 million bank fraud orchestrated by his father-in-law. Client sentenced to 20 months on straight guilty plea despite sentencing guidelines of 70-87 months.
Five-week RICO…
Civil Fraud/Civil RICO/Crime Victim Litigation
Representation of class of plaintiffs in civil securities fraud action, funded by insurance company, in which brokers and Ponzi scheme operators were held accountable for causing millions of dollars in losses to customers of company’s Pennsylvania-based subsidiary broker-dealer.
Representation of media-buying business in overseeing internal investigation related to allegations of overbilling. Civil settlement.
Representation as special counsel in successful arbitration and appeal stemming from meritless and fraudulent loan discrimination complaint by Mississippi farmer in dealings with U.S. Department of Agriculture. Plaintiff recovered nothing.
Representation of graphic arts executive in civil RICO litigation alleging improper diversion of $12 million from subsidiary of well-known Japanese photography and media company. Civil settlement.
Representation of South Carolina-based senior executi…
Commercial Litigation/Contract Disputes
Representation of energy industry firm in securing $2 million settlement from owner of major league sports franchise in contract dispute.
Representation of construction industry individual in securing $5 million-plus award from partner after full AAA arbitration in commercial dispute.
Representation in the New York Supreme Court’s Commercial Division of construction company president sued by his brother for share of partnership proceeds in nearly 40-year-old mechanical contracting business. Equitable division reached after more than three years of litigation.
Representation of energy industry firm in securing $2 million settlement from owner of major league sports franchise in contract dispute.
Representation of construction-industry individual in securing $5 million-plus settlement from partner after AAA arbitration in commercial dispute.Representation of commercial interior renovation/cons…
Cybercrime Allegations
Representation of one of two computer programmers convicted after 24-week federal trial related to computer source code and resulting paperwork generated on behalf of Bernard Madoff’s investment advisory business. Client served 14 months in prison despite Probation Department recommendation more than six times higher.
Representation of Colorado list broker executive indicted for use of cyber data to aid and abet advance fee schemes.
Representation of manager who deleted supervisor’s e-mails at California-based Fortune 500 company while company was under federal investigation. No prosecution.
Representation of owner of bitcoin “ATM” machines indicted on federal charges; received a sentence of home detention.
Representation of computer programmer at sentencing who went to trial with another lawyer and testified on charges related to downloading child pornography. Client sentenced to 100 months…
Embezzlement and Larceny Allegations
Representation of individual charged, in Oregon federal prosecution, with embezzling more than five million dollars from leading investment bank and investing it offshore. Client sentenced to 21 months in prison despite significantly higher sentencing guidelines.
Representation of hedge fund CFO who admitted embezzling more than one million dollars due to various addictions. Civil settlement.
Representation of financial services executive indicted by state for alleged Ponzi scheme involving over six million dollars. Paroled after 30 months.
Representation of jewelry company CFO who wrote unauthorized checks to himself worth close to one million dollars as extra compensation. No prosecution.
Representation of reinsurance industry executive in federal prosecution alleging forgery and misappropriation of premiums. Client sentenced to 33 months in prison after lengthy proceedings, including a se…
Employment and Labor Matters
Representation of international division chief at Xerox in federal civil litigation over employee benefits. Confidential settlement.
Pro bono representation of Marine who served in Iraq but was then let go as a police recruit after completing police academy training. Decision reversed by police chief after nearly one year of effort, and client now serving as police officer.
Co-representation of trader fired by large bank days before he was set to receive bonus of more than one million dollars, virtually all of which he recovered.
Representation of union officer under investigation for potential illegalities arising out of strike-related activities. No prosecution.
Representation of individual associated with Korean-American nail salons under investigation for wage theft. No prosecution.
Representation of head of construction union local concerning disputed hiring practices. No charges.
Assista…
False Arrest/Wrongful Conviction
Pro bono co-representation in Palladium Murder Case, which received national attention, to undo wrongful conviction of defendant who was freed (and acquitted in retrial) after more than 13 years in prison for murder of nightclub bouncer committed by two others.
Representation of businesswoman who sued in state court after being falsely arrested for theft by vindictive brother-in-law bent on appropriating her business interests for himself. Civil settlement.
Representation of construction company president who recovered money in federal civil rights action for false arrest.
Representation of two men and one woman in separate cases whose estranged spouses used criminal justice system to get them arrested due to marital disagreements. Charges dismissed in all cases.
Representation of individual subjected to revenge prosecution for trying to navigate impossible dilemma of spouse who was secretly…
Gambling and Racketeering Allegations
Representation of individual charged with RICO conspiracy in federal prosecution alleging gambling and extortion. Client sentenced to 21 months in prison.
Representation of individual in federal joker poker prosecution. Client sentenced to nine months in prison.
Representation of individual in federal sports betting prosecution. Client sentenced to probation.
Four-week organized crime trial as prosecutor against captains from two different Italian organized crime families. All three defendants acquitted and then later murdered. Fourth individual later pled guilty to jury tampering.
General Crimes Matters
Secured one of first pandemic-era acquittals nationwide in federal criminal threat case with nearly all trial participants masked.
Representation in complex, five-week trial of individual involved in serious, multiple-party videotaped brawl while on line at Empire State Building, waiting to get to observation deck, resulting in acquittal on all counts of indictment but conviction of one lesser included offense. Client served sentence of four months instead of mandatory eight years he potentially faced.
Representation as indigent defense counsel of homeless population case worker accused of robbing four cell phone stores.
Representation of magazine employee indicted federally in marijuana conspiracy with co-founder of well-known hip-hop record label. Client sentenced to brief period of community confinement despite sentencing guidelines of 12 to 18 months.
Representation of federal Witness Pr…
Government Contracts and Benefits
Supervised and personally prosecuted many cases of government fraud as federal prosecutor, including defense contractor fraud and health care fraud.
Pro bono involvement for more than 10 years on board of directors, and then as chairman of board, of non-profit settlement house that relies heavily on government contracts to serve largest collection of public housing in the United States.
Pro bono services for more than 10 years in helping to run eight-bed synagogue homeless shelter emmeshed in government benefit concerns.
Representation of senior executive at non-profit foster care agency under state criminal investigation for falsifying records to maintain city contracts. Prosecution declined.
Representation of government contractor in Davis-Bacon, prevailing-wage investigation. Prosecution declined in favor of civil settlement.
Representation of co-owner of company with multi-million dollar…
Health Care Matters/Mental Illness
Representation of veterinarian in federal racehorse doping case where more than 30 defendants, including horse trainers, veterinarians and pharmacists allegedly conspired to provide illicit drugs to racehorses and cheat the betting public. Client sentenced to no prison time.
Representation of pharmaceutical executive affiliated with Martin Shkreli, purported pharma whiz kid, where Shkreli was later convicted of fraud. No charges.
Representation of New Jersey internist in federal kickback investigation. Prosecution declined in favor of civil settlement.
Representation of cardiologist in combating allegations of medical research misconduct. No regulatory charges, and medical license renewed.
Representation of student indicted federally for interstate threats to literary agents. Client found incompetent to stand trial on mental illness grounds after hearing and granted deferred prosecution. Ind…
International Matters/National Security
Representation of British national, one of seven original international soccer-related defendants indicted federally and extradited from Switzerland in the FIFA racketeering case concerning alleged bribes paid for media and marketing rights to World Cup qualifier matches. Client served three months in American prison on straight plea.
Represented electronic wholesaler indicted as part of multi-million-dollar export fraud and money laundering case involving nationals of Russia and Uzbekistan.
Served as expert witness on American criminal procedure in High Court of Hong Kong related to Canadian extradition proceedings involving Chinese national.
Served as first American resident legal advisor to Romanian government in criminal justice matters.
Served as domestic terrorism coordinator for several years during tenure as federal prosecutor.
Representation of individual whose father deposited milli…
Miscellaneous Matters
Briefed and argued more than a dozen appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second and Fourth Circuits (and assisted in complicated Tenth Circuit appeal), including more recent appeals in mail fraud and securities fraud prosecutions.
Drafted habeas corpus petition based on allegations of ineffective assistance of previous counsel.
Pro bono representation of indigent wife in securing divorce decree after suffering domestic abuse in her marriage
Completed state law conviction expungement petition for former client.
Pro bono representation that successfully induced federal probation officials to release inmate to live with his sister in California after repeatedly denying the request for more than a year.
Indigent defense representation during COVID-19 pandemic, unsuccessfully seeking compassionate release for prisoner with asthma.
Money Laundering Allegations
Representation, as pool counsel, of department managers at American Express Bank International in Florida, alleging Bank Secrecy Act/anti-money laundering compliance issues involving Columbian businesses. Public settlement by bank.
Representation of British national and former soccer official in federal appeal of restitution imposed following money laundering conspiracy conviction. Appeal dismissed as moot and restitution order deemed satisfied.
Representation of check cashing intermediary in large federal money laundering prosecution. Client sentenced to probation despite guidelines of 24-30 months and prosecutor’s litigated refusal to provide 5K letter.
Representation of art gallery CEO in receiving laundered proceeds to purchase art. No prosecution.
Representation of non-profit group in federal investigation involving use of entity to allegedly facilitate suspected money laundering scheme…
Property and Estate Matters
Representation of client over several years in three separate state court lawsuits involving inter-family property dispute after father’s death. Favorable outcome in all three suits.
Representation of family member in state court litigation over daughter’s unlawful appropriation of elderly parents’ property. Civil settlement.
Representation of estate in state court commercial division litigation over alleged six-figure debt by decedent. Settled for approximately one-third of claimed amount.
Representation of individual in estate litigation who sued deceased mother’s guardian later found to have engaged in misconduct. Civil settlement.
New York State Appellate Division appeal in estate litigation that was partially successful.
Representation of investment bank managing director in defeating frivolous state court lawsuit by disgruntled tenant over sublet of luxury apartment.
Representation of bu…
Public Corruption, Commercial Bribery, Obstruction and Misconduct Allegations
Served as chief of public corruption section as federal prosecutor.
Prosecuted and convicted 30 New York City taxi inspectors (more than one third of total force) for taking bribes from taxi owners to overlook safety and emissions violations.
Representation for nearly six years of Army officer charged in federal criminal case with steering government contracts to relative. Guilty plea to gratuity rather than bribery charge, allowed to resign with honorable discharge, and sentenced to time served (one day) despite sentencing guidelines of 70-87 months.
Multiple corruption trials and other prosecutions as federal prosecutor, including police officers, fireman, and politically-connected lawyer. Also prosecuted businessman convicted after trial of paying bribes to environmental inspector, and immigration officer convicted after trial of receiving bribes.
Co-representation of lobbyist in North Ca…
Securities and Commodities Matters
Representation of hedge fund chief operating officer and general counsel charged, along with Hollywood producer, in federal securities and investment advisor fraud indictment. Client received sentence of no prison time despite Sentencing Guidelines range of 97-121 months.
Representation of employee at Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities in six separate cases over more than nine years (See main case under Cybercrime Allegations).
Representation of former Canadian bank executive in connection with mutual fund “market timing” and “late trading” investigations conducted by SEC and New York State Attorney General. No prosecution; closely related indictment later dismissed.
Representation of health products corporation under investigation for securities fraud.
Representation after trial of health care CEO in federal prosecution and related SEC action charging market manipulation. Client senten…
Tax Liability
Multiple tax evasion trials as federal prosecutor.
Recognitions
500 Leading Litigators in America, Lawdragon (2024, 2025)
Best Lawyers, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, U.S. News-Best Lawyers in America (2025) [see selection methodology here]
Activities
Articles
Published articles on legal topics (in American Lawyer, National Law Journal, New York Law Journal and others), as well as more general topics (in The Atlantic, Newsweek, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, Miami Herald and others) and specialized non-legal topics (in The Annals of Internal Medicine, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The South American Explorer and others).
Books
Co-Author (with John Gleeson, David James and Alicyn Cooley), “Federal Criminal Practice: A Second Circuit Handbook” (Lexis Nexis Matthew Bender 25th ed. 2025, 1690 pages), the only treatise on federal criminal practice in the courts of the Second Circuit (New York, Connecticut, Vermont).
Board of Editors, “New York Criminal Practice” (Lexis Nexis Matthew Bender 2d ed. 2005), the most extensive work on New York State criminal practice.

