Daniel Marshall ("Marsh") Gordon was born in St. Thomas, Ontario. He came to Victoria, B.C., as a child with his father, a customs officer. He obtained a B.A. in 1912 from McGill University, Victoria College (B.C.), and articled in Victoria, being admitted to the bar in 1916. He joined the Victoria law firm of Crease Bros., Lindley and Arthur. Gordon became the oldest and longest-practicing lawyer in B.C. He served as Oak Bay's municipal lawyer from the 1940s until his death and wrote many articles on administrative and labour law. Gordon was awarded an honourary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Victoria in 1976.