Mitchelson Absolved in Malpractice Suit
A jury considering a malpractice lawsuit against Marvin Mitchelson found in favor of the celebrity attorney Thursday, saying that while he failed to use “care and skill” in handling the divorce of Felicia Gordon, he was not negligent and did not cause her severe distress.
The eight-man, four-woman Los Angeles Superior Court panel refused to award payment to Gordon, who claimed Mitchelson botched her divorce case, costing her half of her millionaire husband’s fortune, and made unprofessional sexual advances toward her. Gordon divorced international businessman Robert MacDonald in 1984.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. Aug. 9, 1989 For the Record
Los Angeles Times Wednesday August 9, 1989 Home Edition Part 1 Page 2 Column 5 Metro Desk 2 inches; 63 words Type of Material: Correction
Marvin Mitchelson--A headline Friday incorrectly stated that attorney Marvin Mitchelson was absolved by a jury who heard a malpractice lawsuit filed against him by Felicia Gordon. The jury found that Mitchelson failed to use ordinary care and skill in handling her divorce case but it concluded that she was not damaged by his actions. The jury also found that Mitchelson did not intentionally or negligently inflict emotional distress on Gordon.
Gordon’s attorney, Malcolm Ellis, had argued that Mitchelson left Gordon’s divorce case in the hands of ill-prepared assistants. Mitchelson, 61, testified he had a neck injury that prevented him from handling Gordon’s case personally.
The verdict brought an emotional outburst from Gordon. In the hallway outside the courtroom, she and Mitchelson shouted heatedly at each other until a marshal intervened.
“She’s a totally vindictive, revengeful person,” Mitchelson said.
“I was much, much too nice,” Gordon said.
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