Gerald Francis Clifford enjoyed a statewide reputation as a trial lawyer, politician and officer of the Green Bay Packers.
Background
Clifford was born on June 19, 1889 in Chilton, Wisconsin. He was the son of Jeremiah M. and Katherine Connelly Clifford. His father was employed with the Chicago, Milwaukee & Saint Paul Railroad and the family lived in Iron Mountain and later Escanaba, Michigan.
Education
University of Michigan. University of Michigan Law School.
Career
Clifford served as the team’s vice-president and attorney for nearly three decades, setting up the unique and enduring corporate structure, fighting off near bankruptcy several times and quashing an attempt to move the team After graduating from Escanaba High School, Clifford traveled throughout Europe, then returned to attend the University of Michigan, receiving an Bachelor of Laws in 1912. He began his practice of law in 1913 with Patrick Martin in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where his father was now regional superintendent.
Throughout his career, Clifford practiced in a variously arranged small firm in Green Bay.
Clifford made many appearances before the Wisconsin Supreme Court and served as both a special prosecutor and Special Assistant Attorney General of Wisconsin. Politically, Clifford was a liberal Democrat and a supporter of Franklin Doctorate. Roosevelt"s New Deal.
As Wisconsin’s Progressive Party collapsed, he worked to bring its members into the Democratic Party. Clifford served as a delegate to all four national conventions that nominated Franklin Doctorate. Roosevelt.
He was the Democratic Party nominee for Congress in 1934.
As one of the "Hungry Five", he begged, borrowed and otherwise cajoled money to keep the team going during the many lean years. As the team"s attorney, he incorporated the team as a not-for-profit corporation, removing financial incentive for owning or moving the team He established the current ownership and governance structure, helping to organize the original stock sales.
He promoted the team throughout northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, both through his personal contacts and his connections with the railroads.
In 1949-1950, he led the fight to prevent the conversion of the organization to a "for profit" business. Clifford died on February 24, 1952 in Green Bay from a heart condition complicated by influenza.
He was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 1991.
Views
He defended twenty-six first degree murder cases, with no clients convicted of the original charge.
Membership
He was a longtime member of the State Central Committee and was a frequent speaker at state conventions. Clifford’s contributions as a member of the Green Bay Packers Board of Directors include:.