Gordon P. Erspamer
Senior Counsel,
Morrison & Foerster LLP,
San Francisco, California
Mr. Erspamer, who is a Senior Counsel in the San Francisco office, is Co-Chair of Morrison & Foerster’s Inter-Disciplinary Energy Group and engages in the litigation of complex civil actions in both state and federal courts. Mr. Erspamer has been lead trial counsel in many jury trials, bench trials, and arbitrations. His litigation experience includes the Superior Courts located throughout California, the United States District Courts, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Erspamer is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Gordon Erspamer received his B.A. degree summa cum laude from Hamline University in 1975 and his J.D. magna cum laude from the University of Michigan in 1978. He was an Associate Editor of the Michigan Law Review from 1976-77 and a Note Editor from 1977-78, and a member of the Order of the Coif. He joined Morrison & Foerster in 1982 and became a partner in 1984.
Since 1980, Mr. Erspamer has carried on an active pro bono practice of representing disabled veterans and veterans’ groups. Beginning in 2004, Mr. Erspamer served as a member of the Board of Directors of Swords to Plowshares, a leading non-profit organization providing housing, employment and job training, and advocacy services for veterans.
From 2005-2007, Mr. Erspamer was a member of the Board of Directors of the Contra Costa County Bar Association, where he served on the Pro Bono Committee and as Chair of the Judicial Evaluations Committee.
The following recognitions have been bestowed upon Mr. Erspamer in recognition of a career devoted to the legal needs of veterans.
- 1987, Mr. Erspamer received the Vietnam Veterans of America “Dean K. Phillips Memorial Award for Advocacy” in recognition of the firm’s pro bono work on behalf of disabled veterans and, in particular, for Mr. Erspamer’s role supporting legislation providing for judicial review of VA decisions.
- 1990, Mr. Erspamer accepted the National Association of Radiation Survivors “Justice Award” for the firm’s pro bono efforts on behalf of the organization and veterans exposed to ionizing radiation during the atmospheric nuclear tests.
- 1992, Mr. Erspamer was named “Trial Lawyer of the Year” by the Trial Lawyers for Public Justice Foundation in Washington, D.C.
- 2003, Mr. Erspamer received the Swords to Plowshares “Profiles of Courage” Award at its annual Veterans Day Dinner event for being “a tireless fighter for the rights of veterans in Peace.”
- 2007, Mr. Erspamer was presented with the Contra Costa County Bar Association President’s Award on behalf of himself and the firm in recognition of a legacy for providing access to justice through exemplary pro bono legal services.
Below is a list of pro bono cases that are representative of Mr. Erspamer’s career principally involving defense of the civil rights and liberties of veterans, beginning with the latest cases.
- Vietnam Veterans of America, et al. v. CIA, et al., N.D. Cal. No. CV-09-00037- CW (pending)
- Veterans for Common Sense, et al. v. Peake, et al., N.D. Cal. No. CV-07-03758- SC, 9th Circuit No. 08-16728 (on appeal)
- East Bay Veteran Info Fair (manned the Fair’s legal information booth, answering questions of fair attendees)
- Amir Bey v. Marvin Stewart and Brandy Stewart, Alameda County Superior Court Case No. WG04176728; and Brandy Stewart, et al. v. Mitzie Peters, et al., Alameda County Superior Court Case No. RG 05204943
- In re Sylvester Garth, (VA Claim) CSS 497 56 0822
- Philip E. Cushman v. James B. Peake, Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, Appeal No. 08-7129 (pending)
- Harris v. Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Case No. 05-0636; and Harris v. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Case No. 02-1833
- National Association of Radiation Survivors v. Department of Veterans Affairs (see 473 U.S. 305; 994 F2d 583; 111 F.R.D. 595; 115 F.R.D. 543; 589 F.Supp. 1302; 782 F.Supp. 1392)
- Various counseling matters involving veterans and their families