I have heard that the Google "people" can recover deleted emails with a court order. So does that mean recovery is possible? I need this email for a court case but would like to avoid the hoops of obtaining a court order. Any advice?

I don't know if they can or cannot recover the info but if you need it for Court the legal answer is to get a Subpoena for it. That way it will be verified to be correct and also admissible.