Gerald Francis Clifford

Gerald Francis Clifford (June 19, 1889 – February 24, 1952) was a trial lawyer, politician and officer of the Green Bay Packers. Clifford served as the team’s vice-president and attorney for over two decades, fighting off bankruptcy, re-incorporating the team after receivership and quashing an attempt to move the team. He has been called the first sports attorney.

Clifford was born on June 19, 1889 in Chilton, Wisconsin. He was the son of Jeremiah M. and Katherine Connelly Clifford. His father was an executive with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. The family lived in Iron Mountain and later Escanaba, Michigan.

After graduating from Escanaba High School, Clifford traveled throughout Europe, then returned to attend the University of Michigan, receiving an LL.B. in 1912. He began his practice of law in 1913 with Patrick Martin in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where his father was regional superintendent.

Throughout his career, Clifford practiced in a small firm in Green Bay. He defended 26 first degree murder cases, with no clients convicted of the original charge. Clifford made 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 D. Roosevelt's New Deal. As Wisconsin’s Progressive Party collapsed, he worked to bring its members into the Democratic Party. He was a longtime member of the State Central Committee and was a speaker at state conventions. Clifford served as a delegate to all four national conventions that nominated Franklin D. Roosevelt. He was the Democratic Party nominee for Congress in 1934.

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