Gary A. Dordick

Dordick launched a solo shop 34 years ago and has grown it into a firm with two of his children among his 13 lawyers. His wife is the law office’s chief financial officer even as she attends law school. “She has a tutor in the house,” he said.

Speaking of teaching, Dordick said he is proud of two firm associates he mentored as they tried their first case as lead plaintiff counsel. Then, he watched and coached as they brought home a $72.6 million verdict in early August for siblings who were beaten outside a West Hollywood restaurant and lounge.

The victims suffered fractured bones, blunt force trauma and mild traumatic brain injuries plus post traumatic stress disorder. Anne Greene et al., v. Alberto Driz et al., BC643270 (L.A. Super. Ct., filed Dec. 8, 2016).

“It was a bar fight at the infamous Nice Guy club,” Dordick said. “The verdict represents the highest award for mild traumatic brain injury and PTSD I’ve seen.” He added that the jury was swayed by the defendants’ misconduct and the victims’ injuries. “The jurors had a very good appreciation of the emotional distress and suffering our clients went through.”

Dordick said the trial was a first for him as well as for the associates, Terry J. Cole and Chistopher V. Bulone. “For 33 years I ran a dictatorship and tried everything myself,” he said. “Now, for our growth as a firm, this is the first case I’ve allowed someone else to try. I worked with them step by step, evenings and weekends, from opening argument to the close. I have to bring up the young lawyers and teach them the way.”

Soon after that verdict, Dordick obtained a $7 million settlement with the City of Beverly Hills for his client, the victim of an auto accident. A municipal police vehicle lost control and injured the woman, a pharmacist, inflicting severe neck and back trauma, Dordick said. “The defense suggested she was not being truthful about the extent of her prior injuries. But after she spent two days on the witness stand, I believe the jury was convinced of the merits of her case.” The matter settled at that point. Vojdani v. City of Beverly Hills, BC710001 (L.A. Super. Ct., filed June 13, 2018).

Dordick bought and occupies the Wilshire Boulevard building formerly owned by suspended lawyer Thomas V. Girardi, who is facing disciplinary charges on allegations he embezzled millions of dollars from clients.

“In its day, this was one of the greatest law offices in the country, and I like the idea that we will restore the integrity there,” Dordick said. “We do things right, with the highest ethical standards. And we’re up and running.”

- John Roemer