From 1996 until April 2004, Bill Gifford served as Director of Litigation for Oakwood Homes Corporation, a New York Stock Exchange-listed company that, at its peak, employed over 10,000 people in its manufacturing, retail, and financing businesses. In that capacity, he coordinated the defense of all non-employment litigation filed against Oakwood and its subsidiaries. Bill also counseled management of the company with respect to a wide range of topics and issues, including the federal and state laws regulating the manufactured housing industry, and the enforceability of leases, dealer agreements, and other contracts. He participated in numerous arbitration hearings and mediation conferences and worked with outside counsel to resolve disputes and develop litigation strategies.
From April 2004 until the formation of Martin & Gifford, PLLC in June 2005, Bill served as Director of Litigation for the OHC Liquidation Trust. That entity is the successor to Oakwood Homes Corporation created by the United States Bankruptcy Court. In that position, he managed the resolution of claims filed in the Oakwood Homes bankruptcy cases.
Bill began his practice of law in 1980 as an associate in the Chicago, Illinois firm of Clausen, Miller, Gorman, Caffrey & Witous, P.C. His primary areas of practice were insurance coverage and insurance defense litigation. Bill joined the Chicago firm of Shefsky, Saitlin & Froelich, Ltd. in January 1987 and became a partner there in 1990. His practice consisted of general commercial litigation in both federal and state courts. Bill prosecuted and defended claims on employment contracts, leases, real estate listing agreements, partnership agreements, construction contracts, and contracts for the sale of goods. He also represented lenders in commercial mortgage foreclosures and in adversary proceedings in the United States Bankruptcy Court.