I’m proud to be a 4th generation St. Joseph County attorney. I was born in South Bend and went to John Adams High School (Class of ’69, summa cum, state swimming medalist, etc.). An English major, fraternity president and varsity swimmer at Ohio Wesleyan University, I continued straight on to IU Law School and then joined the firm in 1976. My dad, G. Burt Ford, was a partner. Not many sons have the honor and joy of working with their father for 30 years.
For too long I was involved with masters swimming at the Michiana YMCA and the house corporation of my college fraternity. I spent 6 years on the Evaluation and Allocations Division and Admissions Committees of United Way of St. Joseph County, and am a past president of the Winding Brook Park Homeowners Association. I’ve been a member of the Michiana Estate Planning Council since 1990 and a director since 2012. I’m also a past president of Morris Park Country Club. My handicap hovers around 10. Don’t stand behind me on the tee.
I’m blessed to have 2 adult children and 2 grandsons. My soul mate, Mary Funkhouser – a high school classmate – owns a home in The Villages, Florida, where she spends the winters and allows me a visit or 2. My retirement plan is to keep working.
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My areas of practice include general business, commercial and residential real estate, employment, construction, estate planning and probate. I represent a number of area businesses, including manufacturers, developers, homebuilders, commercial landlords and contractors, as well as individuals. I work with corporate clients on the formation, growth, diversification, compliance programs, succession planning and family transition, purchase and sale of their companies, and am available for consultation on a wide range of business issues.
I have considerable experience in matters relating to corporate governance, buy-sells, employment policies and discrimination, non-competes, land use and zoning, mechanic’s liens, due diligence and the resolution of business disputes. I’ve also been involved with the creation of several local subdivisions and condominiums and represent a number of homeowners associations.
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