William D. Gilbride Jr.

William D. Gilbride, Jr. draws from his extensive experience in business and corporate transactions and commercial litigation to help parties achieve meaningful resolution of their disputes.

Bill has represented a variety of clients in the boardroom and the courtroom, providing a collection of perspectives and insights that now inform his role as a neutral. Throughout his career, he has represented a variety of clients in state and federal courts and administrative tribunals in matters involving breach of contract, shareholder rights, employment and non-compete agreements, trade secrets, sales commissions, stock purchases and securities, title and land use, foreclosures, ERISA and employee benefits, intellectual property, supplier disagreements, government contracts, and professional licensure and disciplinary actions.

As outside general counsel and a valued trusted business advisor to for-profit and non-profit organizations alike, Bill has pursued and protected clients’ interests in mergers and acquisitions, risk management and corporate compliance, real estate and land use, and employment negotiations and transactions.

Bill has practiced with Abbott Nicholson, PC in Detroit since 1989, where he served as the law firm’s managing partner and sat on its board of directors. This management and leadership savvy further lends itself to his dispute resolution talents.

Within the legal community, Bill is active in state and local bar association activities, including his current service as past president of the State Bar of Michigan’s ADR Section Council and as a fellow with both the Michigan State Bar Foundation and the Detroit Metropolitan Bar Foundation. He has earned the respect of his peers and colleagues, as evidenced by his accolades as a Michigan Super Lawyer, a DBusiness Magazine Top Lawyer, a Law Bulletin Publishing Leading Lawyer, and an AV Preeminent Lawyer rating from Martindale-Hubbell. He was also inducted into the American Board of Trial Advocates, an invitation-only group of accomplished trial lawyers who demonstrate high personal character and honorable reputation.

• University of Detroit, J.D.
• University of  Michigan, B.A.

Admitted to:

• The Michigan bar and the federal bar for the U.S. District Court-Eastern District of Michigan in 1984,
• The U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and U.S. Tax Court in 1986.
• American Board of Trial Advocates
• Professional Resolution Experts of Michigan (PREMi)
• Wayne County Circuit Court Business Court Case Evaluator

TBD