In the high-stakes world of criminal defense, a lawyer’s diligence can mean the difference between freedom and continued incarceration. For Los Angeles-based attorney Amber Hope Gordon (State Bar Number 276908), a failure to uphold these critical duties has resulted in formal disciplinary action.
Effective August 22, 2025, the California Supreme Court issued a 30-day actual suspension for Gordon and placed her on two years of professional probation. The sanction follows a stipulation in which she admitted to nine counts of professional misconduct across two separate client matters.
The Core Violations: Delays and Disregard for Court Orders
The disciplinary case (Case No. 25-O-30520) revealed a pattern of neglect that directly impacted the liberty of her clients. Gordon, who specializes in defending individuals accused of violent crimes and gang participation, admitted to the following:
1. Failure to Act with Diligence in Resentencing Matters
The most significant misconduct involved two incarcerated individuals for whom Gordon was appointed as Indigent Defendant Counsel. Under new California laws, both clients were likely eligible for sentence reductions.
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Inaction: Despite their potential eligibility, Gordon took no steps to petition the court for sentence reductions or parole.
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Lengthy Delays: Instead of moving the cases forward, she sought multiple continuances, causing both matters to be delayed by approximately one year.
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Lack of Communication: She failed to explain to her clients why they might not be eligible or keep them informed of these significant developments.
2. Disobeying Court Orders & Prejudicial Conduct
Gordon’s misconduct extended to her interactions with the judicial system itself:
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Failure to Obey Court Orders: She repeatedly failed to comply with specific mandates issued by the court during litigation.
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Conduct Prejudicial to Justice: Her combined actions—the delays, neglect, and disobedience—were deemed harmful to the administration of justice.
A Career of High-Profile Advocacy
Prior to this disciplinary action, Amber Hope Gordon was a highly visible figure in the Southern California legal community:
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Professional Accolades: She has been recognized as a “Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorney” by The National Trial Lawyers and was a member of the Lawyers of Distinction.
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Practice Focus: Her firm, Amber Gordon Attorney at Law, handles serious felony cases, including homicide, narcotics, and federal crimes.
Despite these accolades, the State Bar Court emphasized that professional status does not exempt an attorney from the fundamental duty to perform legal services with competence and diligence (Rules of Professional Conduct, rules 1.1 and 1.3).
The Final Sanction: Suspension and Requirements
The court’s order imposes a strict framework for Gordon’s return to practice:
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Actual Suspension: Gordon was ineligible to practice law during her 30-day suspension period (ending September 21, 2025).
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Two-Year Probation: She is currently under the supervision of the State Bar’s Office of Probation.
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MPRE Requirement: She must take and pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) as a condition of her probation.
Conclusion: The High Cost of Inaction
The case of Amber Hope Gordon serves as a stark reminder that in criminal law, “doing nothing” is a form of misconduct. When new laws provide a path for resentencing, attorneys have a non-negotiable duty to act promptly. For Gordon’s clients, her year-long delay represented a year of lost opportunity for freedom—a cost that the State Bar has now addressed through this suspension.
