Biography
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, professional liability, wage and
hour class actions, 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 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 these 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 Madeleine Albright. Notre Dame Law School 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 Professional. 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.
