Stuart M. Gordon

Stu handled numerous matters involving medical malpractice cases, pharmaceutical and medical device cases, business, real estate, general litigation and legal malpractice defense. As one of the principal trial attorneys and negotiators in the firm, he tried more than 50 jury and non-jury cases to verdict and mediated and settled several thousand cases. He was undefeated in his pharmaceutical and medical device trials and his medical and legal malpractice defense trials and arbitrations. He only lost one case in his career because he celebrated his victory the day before the jury decided otherwise.

Stu Gordon has been widely recognized for his exceptional contributions to the University of California, Berkeley, and the broader community. His accolades include the Cal Athletics Hall of Fame Service Award, the Chancellor’s Citation for Leadership and Contributions to UC Berkeley, and the prestigious Citation Award from the Boalt Hall Alumni Association—the highest honor bestowed upon Berkeley Law alumni. He also received the Cal Bear Backer of the Year Award for his unwavering support of Cal Athletics and the Cal Baseball Excellence in Leadership Award, which is named in his honor.

In 2011, Stu played a pivotal role in saving the Cal Baseball Program from elimination due to budget cuts. Spearheading a fundraising effort, he raised $10 million in just five weeks, ensuring the program’s continuation. His total donations to the program amount to $6.3 million, including a recent $2 million gift to establish an endowment for Cal Baseball. In recognition of his long-standing support, the Cal baseball stadium was renamed Evans Diamond at Stu Gordon Stadium in 2022.

Stu’s philanthropic efforts have significantly enhanced UC Berkeley’s facilities. His contributions helped fund an indoor multipurpose complex, the installation of field lights, a state-of-the-art video scoreboard, an upgraded irrigation system, and renovated locker rooms and press facilities at the baseball field. At Berkeley Law, his generosity enabled the creation of the Stuart M. Gordon Moot Courtroom.

In 1969, Stu co-founded the Golden Bear Athletic Fund (GBAF), which initially raised $400,000 in its first year and $1.5 million within three years. Under his guidance, the organization transitioned to the Athletic Department, becoming the Bear Backers. Today, the Bear Backers raise more than $35 million annually to support Cal Athletics. For his dedication, Stu was honored twice with the Carl Van Heuit Cal Baseball Alumnus of the Year Award.

Stu’s leadership extends to Berkeley Law, where he served as President of the Alumni Association and the Board of Directors and remains the Permanent Class President. His legacy also includes the Chancellor’s Citation for Leadership and Contributions to Cal, awarded in 2021.

In addition to giving back to his alma mater, Stu has also given back throughout the San Francisco Bay Area community, serving on the Board of Directors and past President of The Guardsmen as well as being elected into the Guardsmen Hall Of Fame. The Guardsmen is an organization which raises money to send disadvantaged children to summer camp and to private schools in the Bay Area.

Stuart was appointed by Mayor Diane Feinstein to the Juvenile Justice Commission for the City and County of San Francisco and was subsequently elected Chairman, and was also a board member of the Legal Aid Society of San Francisco, and the Auxiliary of San Francisco General Hospital, and the San Francisco Boys and Girls Clubs.

He was recently awarded the United Way Tocqueville Legacy Award for his outstanding contributions to the Bay Area United Way. In 2018, he was awarded the Emerald Warrior Award from the Guardsmen as the outstanding fundraiser in Guardsmen history going back to 1997.

He has also been a major supporter of the Gladstone Institute and specifically in the area of spinal cord research.

Stu is happily married to Florianne Gordon and has two sons, Tom and John.