Mercedes Colwin

Mercedes Colwin, a highly successful trial attorney, is the founding partner of Gordon & Rees’ New York City office. She handles a wide variety of litigation, including employment law, commercial litigation, class actions, products liability, civil rights violations and criminal law. Ms. Colwin has defended thousands of cases throughout the country to a favorable result and won over ninety percent of her numerous trials and arbitrations. She regularly litigates business disputes and defends corporations and corporate executives of Fortune 500 companies accused of wrongdoing including claims of sexual misconduct. Prior to private practice, Ms. Colwin served as an Administrative Law Judge for the New York State Division of Human Rights. During her nine years of service, while a partner at a major regional New York law firm, she presided over three thousand cases brought under federal and state discrimination laws. Ms. Colwin has received several significant honors. Forbes Business American Airlines named Ms. Colwin one of the six most influential women in America. The list includes dignitaries such as former U.S. Secretary of State Madeline Albright. Notre Dame Law School also presented Ms. Colwin with the prestigious Graciela Olivarez Award for outstanding achievement as a leading Hispanic lawyer of the highest ethical and moral standards. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor received the same award. MultiCultural Law magazine also profiled Ms. Colwin in a Leadership interview titled, Reaching Back to Diversify the Legal Profession. Human Resources Magazine named Ms. Colwin as one of the Nation's Most Powerful Rising Employment Attorneys. Widely regarded as a top national legal analyst, she regularly appears on television to discuss critical legal issues affecting the nation. Specialties: Employment Law Commercial Litigation Professional Liability Defense Tort & Product Liability Class Action D&O and Shareholder Litigation Privacy & Data Security