David M. Gersten, former Chief Judge in Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal, has joined Gordon & Rees as a partner in the firm’s Miami office. He is a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation practice group. Mr. Gersten joins the firm after having served more than three decades on the judiciary and four years in private practice following his distinguished judicial career.
Mr. Gersten represents clients in litigation and appeals in commercial disputes, including labor, administrative, probate, and commercial law. He strategically advises clients on honing their legal issues to navigate potential evidence and procedural obstacles with both trial and post-trial implications in mind. Additionally, Mr. Gersten often serves as a mediator and arbitrator in complex cases. Mr. Gersten regularly writes and lectures on topics relating to appellate law, trial law, and ethics. He is also an appellate faculty member for the Florida College of Advanced Judicial Studies, and has served as the appellate division's Associate Dean. Mr. Gersten also served as an adjunct professor for the St. Thomas University School of Law, and is a faculty member of The National Judicial College.
“We are delighted that retired Judge Gersten found our national platform – consistently excellent results, reasonable rates, and collegiality – to be in close alignment with his values and his clients’ expectations. We are honored that he is joining us,” said Robin Taylor Symons, co-managing partner of the firm’s Miami office.
Mr. Gersten is a member of the Miami Beach Bar Association, Coral Gables Bar Association, Cuban American Bar Association, and the National Association of State Judicial Educators. Mr. Gersten is on the Board of Directors for the Miami Beach Community Health Center and the Legal Services of Greater Miami. In 2015, Mr. Gersten was awarded a Lifetime Achievement award by the Daily Business Review, for his outstanding service to the South Florida legal community.
Mr. Gersten earned his B.A. from University of Florida and his J.D. from the University of Florida, Levin College of Law. He is admitted to practice in Florida, Colorado, and the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida.
One of the fastest-growing firms in the country, Gordon & Rees is a national litigation and business transactional firm with more than 650 lawyers and 35 offices in 22 states. Gordon & Rees is currently the 71st largest law firm in the United States, and ranks No. 26 on the American Lawyer’s Diversity Scorecard. Gordon & Rees has been recognized on the "BTI Client Service A-Team" survey in each of the past three years and has been honored as a 2014 "Go-To Law Firm" for Fortune 500 companies. Gordon & Rees was selected for Corporate Counsel magazine's 2014 "Who Represents America's Biggest Companies" list.