At the club's annual general meeting, Gordon was appointed for his second term in the top job at Whitten Oval after he was elected unopposed to the Bulldogs' board by the members in attendance.
The appointment was a formality, with Gordon unanimously endorsed by the board in October.
The respected lawyer replaces David Smorgon, who stood down as president after 16 years.
It was the second time the pair had engineered a seamless succession, with Smorgon replacing Gordon at the end of 1996.
Gordon told members it was remarkable to return to what had become a professional, vibrant club.
He paid special tribute to Smorgon, whom he said recently had made a contribution off the field equal to club legend Ted Whitten's on field.
"We couldn't have got to this sort of standard, this sort of facility, this sort of organisation, this sort of membership, this sort of credibility and reputation in the competition – which is one of the elite sporting competitions in the world – without the drive and the ambition and the professionalism and passion and the acumen and the intelligence and the care for the ordinary members that has always been David Smorgon's approach to this club," Gordon said.
An emotional Smorgon thanked Dogs' members, his family and the club.
"It's been an honour, a real privilege, to serve as your president for the last 16 years. I have loved every one of the 5868 days," he said.
"Together as the board, we've always had one policy that is at the top of the list: what is in the best interest of the Western Bulldogs Football Club. Fundamentally that is the only question a board has to ask. We've never wavered from that basic premise."
Director Susan Alberti replaced outgoing vice-president Ian Veal, who retired from the board at the AGM.
Bulldog players Ryan Griffen and Will Minson were honoured with life membership.
