In the fall of 1978, shortly after my graduation from the Southern Methodist University School of Law, three Dallas police officers were terminated by the City Manager after appealing suspensions issued by the Chief of Police. That was my first experience representing police officers and I haven’t looked back since. Nearly 30 years later, we represent police and fire associations which represent over 10,000 police officers and fire fighters in the State of Texas, as well as many private sector employees.
With my law partners and associates, our firm handles the entire spectrum of public and private sector employee labor matters including disciplinary actions, personnel grievances, discrimination complaints, workers’ compensation cases, civil rights cases and criminal cases. The criminal case practice includes a special emphasis on law enforcement misconduct.
Many of our clients are members of state and local police or fire associations, and we pride ourselves in responding to their calls on a 24-hour basis and addressing the legal needs of the members and their families, both job and non-job related. We believe that our vast experience in representing both public and private sector employees enables us to better understand the needs of the employee and his or her family when a legal crisis arises. We hope we can assist you in your legal needs, as well.
Education
State University of New York at Buffalo, Phi Beta Kappa 1974;
Southern Methodist University School of Law, J.D. 1978
Bar Admissions
State of Texas 1978;
U.S. Districts Courts for the Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas;
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals;
United States Supreme Court
Professional Affiliations
Partner: Lyon, Gorsky, Gilbert & Livingston, L.L.P.
Member: State Bar of Texas, Texas Trial Lawyers Association.
PUBLICATIONS, SEMINARS AND LECTURES:
Workshop on Administrative and Civil Liability of Police Officers
Town of Highland Park – 1984
Workshop on Clergy Privilege – Police Chaplins Conference – 1996
Police Discipline, Risk Management and Discrimination Law Seminar
Maui Community College, Maui, Hawaii – 1997
Executive Training for ISD Police Chiefs – Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas –
January 27, 1998 – “Due Process and Officers’ Rights” (TCLEOSE Approved);
Texas Municipal Police Association – Irving Police Association – April 20, 1998
“Due Process and Officers’ Rights” (TCLEOSE Approved);
Texas Municipal Police Association – Bryan, Texas – February 22, 1999
“Due Process and Officers’ Rights” (TCLEOSE Approved);
Texas Municipal Police Association – Humble, Texas – February 23, 1999
“Due Process and Officers’ Rights” (TCLEOSE Approved);
Texas Municipal Police Association – Round Rock, Texas – June 18, 1999
“Due Process and Officers’ Rights” (TCLEOSE Approved);
North Texas Regional Police Academy – Arlington, Texas – June 19, 2000
“The Attorney’s Role In An Officer-Involved Shooting”
Texas Municipal Police Association – Athens, Texas – May 7 – 8, 2001
“Due Process and Officers’ Rights” (TCLEOSE Approved);
Dallas Police Association – Dallas, Texas – April 15, 2003
“Officer’s Rights”
Texas Municipal Police Association – San Antonio, Texas – April 26, 2003
“The Attorney’s Role In Responding To An Officer-Involved Shooting Or Other Critical Incident”
Council of Governments – Arlington, Texas – June 25, 2003
“The Attorney’s Role In Responding To An Officer-Involved Shooting
Or Other Critical Incident”
Grand Prairie Police Association – Grand Prairie, Texas – May 3, 2004
“Due Process and Officers’ Rights”
“The Attorney’s Role In Responding To An Officer-Involved Shooting
Or Other Critical Incident”
North Central Texas Council of Governments – Arlington, Texas – June 28, 2004
“Due Process and Officers’ Rights”
“The Attorney’s Role In Responding To An Officer-Involved Shooting
Or Other Critical Incident”
Texas Narcotics Officers Association Conference – Fort Worth, Texas– September 1 and 2, 2004
“Due Process and Officers’ Rights”
“The Attorney’s Role In Responding To An Officer-Involved Shooting
Or Other Critical Incident”
Arlington Municipal Patrolman’s Association – Arlington, Texas– January 29, 2005
“Due Process and Officers’ Rights”
“The Attorney’s Role In Responding To An Officer-Involved Shooting
Or Other Critical Incident”
North Central Texas Council of Governments – Arlington, Texas– June 13, 2005
“Due Process and Officers’ Rights”
“The Attorney’s Role In Responding To An Officer-Involved Shooting
Or Other Critical Incident”
Eastfield College Criminal Justice Training Center – Dallas, Texas – March 29, 2006
“The Attorney’s Role In Responding To An Officer-Involved Shooting
Or Other Critical Incident” (TCLEOSE Approved)
Carrollton Police Association – Carrollton, Texas – April 26, 2006
“The Attorney’s Role In Responding To An Officer-Involved Shooting
Or Other Critical Incident”
Dallas Police Academy – Dallas, Texas – September 6, 2006
“The Attorney’s Role In Responding To An Officer-Involved Shooting
Or Other Critical Incident”
Police Association Leadership Program – Grand Prairie, Texas – November 16, 2006
“The Attorney’s Role In Responding To An Officer-Involved Shooting
Or Other Critical Incident”; “Due Process and Officer’s Rights”; “Free Speech and Whistleblower Rights” (TCLEOSE Approved)
Dallas Police Department – Reserve Battalion Meeting – Dallas, Texas – March 22, 2007
“The Attorney’s Role In Responding To An Officer-Involved Shooting
Or Other Critical Incident”; “Due Process and Officer’s Rights”
Instructor at Dallas Police Department Officer-Involved Shooting School
Various workshops, seminars, speeches for law enforcement organizations, such as the Texas Municipal Police Association, Dallas Police Association, and Texas Department of Public Safety Officers Association
Monthly columnist for The Shield, the publication of the Dallas Police Association Periodic contributor for In Service, the publication of the Texas Municipal Police Association Newsletter, DPSOA Magazine, Texas Department of Public Safety Officers Association Magazine, Fireline, the publication for the Dallas Firefighters Association
TRIAL EXPERIENCE:
First and second chair experience in numerous federal and state court trials with emphasis on personal injury and employment cases.
AD LITEM EXPERIENCE:
Previous guardian ad litem experience in Dallas County District and juvenile courts.
CURRENT & PAST REPRESENTATIVE CLIENTS:
- Addison Police Association
- Arlington Municipal Patrolman’s Association
- Bedford Municipal Police Association
- Carrollton Police Association
- Dallas County Sheriff’s Association
- Dallas County Sheriff’s Reserve Association
- Dallas Fire Fighters Association
- Dallas Police Association
- Grand Prairie Police Association
- Grapevine Fire Fighters Association
- Highland Park Patrolman’s Benevolent Association
- Irving Police Association
- J.P. and Constables Association of Dallas County
- Plano Fire Fighters Association
- Plano Police Association
- Richardson Police Association
- San Angelo Police Association
- Southwest Airlines Employees Association
- Texas Department of Public Safety Officers Association
- Texas Municipal Police Association
BOARD OF DIRECTOR POSITIONS/OTHER MEMBERSHIPS:
- Board of Director, Dallas Police Museum
- Past Trustee and Past President, Dallas Police Foundation (Dallas Police Memorial)
- Member, Texas Thoroughbred Association
- Member, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association
- Licensed Thoroughbred Racehorse Owner – multiple states, including Texas
TEXAS SUPER LAWYER:
Chosen as a Texas Super Lawyer by his peers 2003 to present.
PERSONAL:
Married since 1985 to Cami Gorsky, 2 children
Resident of Plano, Texas
