William F. Ford

Mr. Ford has a wide range of litigation experience in complex litigation including environmental, general business litigation, and products liability. He has successfully represented clients in multidistrict and class action litigation throughout the country.

In the environmental area, Mr. Ford represents several multi-national clients as both plaintiffs and defendants in environmental cost recovery litigation, and in negotiations with government agencies, allocation proceedings, PRP searches and remediation coordination. Mr. Ford has extensive experience in underground storage tank litigation and administrative proceedings with governmental remediation funds. He has experience with both hazardous and non-hazardous waste water treatment issues, Clean Water Act Section 404, dredge and fill permits, Supplemental Environmental Projects and alleged Oil Pollution Act violations. In general business litigation Mr. Ford has represented business interests of both plaintiffs and defendants in numerous multimillion-dollar lawsuits, including defense of multi district class action litigation alleging billions of dollars in damages. Mr. Ford has substantial experience representing defense contractors, including litigation arising out of operations and deactivation of Army Ammunition Plants.

In the products liability area, Mr. Ford has worked on cases involving alleged multiple chemical sensitivity, carcinogenic chemicals, explosives and other retail and wholesale goods.

Court Memberships

• Missouri
• U.S. Supreme Court
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
• U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas
• U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri

Honors

• Selected for Super Lawyers, Corporate Counsel Edition, 2008
• Selected as a Finalist for Lawdragon 500 Better Than The Best, 2008
• Selected among The Best Lawyers in America®, 2008-2012
• Selected for Missouri/Kansas Super Lawyers, 2006-2011
• Selected as “Leading Lawyer” by Chambers USA, 2006-2011
• Martindale-Hubbell® “AV” Rating
• Environmental Studies Honors Program, University of Kansas
• Order of the Coif
• Villanova Law Review, Member and Editor

Professional Affiliations

• Trustee, The Nature Conservancy of Missouri, 1998-2003, Chairman, 1999-2002
• Mentor for at risk youth, Lawyers Encouraging Academic Performance, 1997-2001
• General Counsel for Cradles & Crayons® Daycare Center for Special Needs Children, 1993-95
• Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Centurions Leadership, Member, 1988-89
• Adjunct Professor at University of Kansas, 1990-1993
• Adjunct Professor at Central Missouri State University, 2003

Publications

• Author, Kansas Environmental Law Handbook, Solid Waste Chapter, Government Institutes, 1990
• Author, Alcohol Suppliers Liability in Missouri, 45 J.Mo. Bar No. 3, 193 (1989)
• Author, State and Federal Regulations of Hidden Camera and Microphone Reporting in the States of Kansas and Missouri, Media and the Law Seminar, 1989, University of Missouri—Kansas City, School of Law