Whitney C. Gibson

Whitney is a partner and leader of the firm’s nationally recognized Vorys eControl.  He and the firm’s team have developed cutting-edge, yet cost-effective, solutions to help brands control their sales in the digital age. 

In leading Vorys’ eControl, Whitney has developed custom programs for companies confronting unauthorized sales, grey market sales, counterfeit sales, Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) violators and other illegal sales on the internet.  The team combines legal, technological and investigative tools and services.

Whitney was instrumental in the creation of the firm’s three-step program designed to help brands control online sales, eliminate channel conflict and protect brand value.  He has led more than 300 brands – including some of the world’s largest – through the development of end-to-end strategies.  He has helped craft new and innovative foundational steps necessary to make to make enforcement efforts effective.  And, he has built an in-house enforcement team charged with identifying and removing online sellers through a multitude of legal tactics.  This program recently received an international InnovAction Award for its innovation in providing a comprehensive approach to help brands preserve their online brand value.

Whitney also frequently litigates complex internet cases.  These types of cases include unauthorized online sales, online reputation attacks, competitor false review schemes, misleading online marketing, public disclosure of private facts and online trademark abuse.  Because of his success, several credible and well known online reputation management, public relations and cyber investigation companies around the world now frequently recommend Vorys for difficult internet cases.

Most recently, Whitney has co-authored the book Controlling Your Brand in the Age of Amazon: The Brand Executive's Playbook for Winning Online with James Thomson of Buy Box Experts.  This book addresses the pressures that brands now face with the maturation of online marketplaces like Amazon.  It highlights both business and legal strategies that brands can employ when faced with threats posed by online marketplaces.  Whitney is also the co-editor of the Marketplace Solutions blog. 

Media regularly call upon Whitney regarding his experience handling internet-related topics.  Whitney has been quoted in Forbes, The Washington Post, Corporate Counsel and the Cincinnati Enquirer.  He regularly authors articles for trade and popular media, including PR News, Texas Lawyer, PR Daily, Law360, Social Media Explorer, HOTELS Magazine and Columbus C.E.O. Magazine. 

Whitney has also educated audiences on topics related to controlling online sales as a keynote and featured speaker across the country.  He regularly presents at some of the most highly attended conventions and trade shows in the industry.

Whitney is recognized as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” and has also been named as a “Super Lawyer.”

Honors & Recognitions

The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2016-2025

Ohio Super Lawyers, Business Litigation, 2007, 2009-2020