Born, raised and educated in San Diego, Gordon D. Cruse represents local business professionals, business owners, military officers, and financially independent individuals in divorce and family law matters. Mr. Cruse earned his undergraduate degree from University of California, San Diego, in 1978, and went on to receive his Juris Doctor from Western State University School of Law in 1982. He is admitted to practice all California state courts, as well as the United States District Court for the Southern District of California and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Mr. Cruse has received substantial recognition and numerous awards from local and national legal organizations and publications. He has achieved an AV Preeminent rating Martindale-Hubbell, the national directory of attorneys, and been named to Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and San Diego Top Attorneys, among other attorney ranking services. Mr. Cruse’s sterling reputation and esteem in the San Diego legal community also earned him an extensive profile in San Diego Magazine’s article “The Landscape of Family Law.”
Professional Memberships & Affiliations-State Bar of California, Certified Specialist in Family Law — Family Law Executive Committee (1989-1995), Fee Arbitration Committee (1989)
- San Diego County Bar Association — Family Law Section, Executive Committee, Certified Family Law Specialists (1996-1999; 2000-2003; Chair, 2002), Mandatory Fee Arbitration and Client Relations Committee (Chair, 1990-1992)
- American Bar Association
- Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Fellow
- International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Fellow
- California State Bar Practice Management and Family Law, Mentor (1994-1995)
- Expert Witness and Fee Dispute Litigation Consultant
- Judge Pro Tempore, Family Law, Superior Court of California, County of San Diego (1993)
- Settlement Conference Judge, Family Law, Superior Court of California, County of San Diego (1993)
- Private Judge, Family Law Matters (1996)
- Special Master, Family Law Matters (1996)
- E-Discovery Expert
Honors & Awards
- Best Lawyers in America
- San Diego Top Attorneys
- San Diego Super Lawyers
- Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers
- AVVO Excellent Lawyer Rating
- Norbert H. Ehrenfreund Award for Outstanding Family Law Attorney
- Pro Bono Publico Distinguished Service Award
- Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services
