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Buddy Dwight Ford
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About Buddy
Biography
Buddy D. Ford, Esquire has an excellent reputation as an experienced business attorney in the state of Florida, as well as in other jurisdictions. Mr. Ford is Board Certified by the American Board of Certification. He has litigated in Federal Court in Las Vegas, Nevada; Medford, Oregon; Atlanta, Georgia; Boston, Massachusetts; Wilmington, Delaware; Lexington, Kentucky; and throughout various Federal Courts in the State of Florida. He has represented a wide array of clients from simple to complex business bankruptcy reorganizations; individual bankruptcies' representing Chapter 7, Chapter 13 and Chapter 11 Debtors and Creditors. His clients have included, debtors, creditors, committees of creditors, receivers, banks and other lending institutions and trustees.
Mr. Ford clerked for the Honorable Joe Lee, United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky and served as a Chapter 7 Trustee from 1987 through 1997 in the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division. He has served as attorney for creditors' committees; served as Chapter 11 Trustee; represented Chapter 7 Trustees; and has administered thousands of bankruptcy cases during his professional career.
His Debtor representation ranges from individuals and small businesses to large corporations, including publically traded companies, hotels and motels.
His Creditor representation has included major lending institutions such as First Union National Bank, N.A.; Barnett Bank; SouthTrust Bank; NCNB; U.S. Bank; and numerous credit unions.
Mr. Ford served as a two-term County Commissioner in Pike County, Kentucky; was the recipient of the Republican Senatorial Medal of Freedom (2004); recipient of the Florida Businessman of the Year Award by the Business Advisory Council of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) (2003); appointed to the Congressional Business Commission (2003); was appointed to the Presidential Business Commission by the NRCC (2004); received the Florida Republican of Year Award from the NRCC (2000); recipient of the National Leadership Award (2000); member of the American Bar Association and National Business Institute.
Certified Legal Specialties
- Board Certified, Amercan Board of Certification
Bar Admissions
- Florida, 1987
- U.S. Supreme Court, 2004
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida
Education
- University of Kentucky College of Law, Lexington, Kentucky - J.D. - 1984
- University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky - B.S. - 1977
Honors and Awards
- Republican Senatorial Medal of Freedom
- Florida Businessman of the Year Award, Business Advisory Council of the National Republican Congressional Committee, 2003 - Present
- Presidential Business Commission, NRCC, 2004 - Present
- Florida Republican of the Year Award, NRCC, 2000 - Present
- National Leadership Award, 2000 - Present
Professional Associations and Memberships
- National Organization of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, Member
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America , Member
- Senatorial Inner Circle, Member, 2005 - Present
- Florida Bar, Member
- Hillsborough County Bar, Member
- Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association, Member
Past Employment Positions
- Pike County, Kentucky, County Commissioner
- Eastern District of Kentucky, Clerk for the Honorable Joe Lee, United States Bankruptcy Judge
- Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division, Chaper 7 Trustee, 1987 - 1997
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Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
75%
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
10%
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
10%
Bankruptcy and Debt
5%
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
2013
Licenses
Licensed in Florida for 38 years
State: Florida
Acquired: 1987
No misconduct found
Location
Gallery
Buddy Dwight Ford's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 11 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Michael | April 28, 2022 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Great Leadership and Professionalism
The team at Buddy Ford's practice is thorough, professional, attentive, and extremely knowledgable. Buddy's experience shines through in his leadership of the cases and is perfectly complemented by his team, especially in working with Jonathan Seamch. Unfortunately, my wife and I had to navigate both...
Posted by Wilma | October 18, 2019 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Excellent attorney and very detailed oriented.
I would like to say my experience was wonderful and the outcome of my case was as promised. The reception and receptionist was very patriotic and welcoming, it made me feel comfortable. I would highly recommend using Attorney Buddy Ford for all business bankruptcies.
Posted by Tom | February 23, 2016 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
From a Ford believer
Attorney Ford was referred to me by Legal Shield, an international network of attorneys - all top rated. I had an IRS problem. To this day when I tell people about what he did for me they are amazed,,,,,as I was at the time. Still am.
Posted by Jeffery | December 5, 2013
My Case Turned out Successful with this firm
I can't thank your firm enough for your advice, assistance and sample documents. The assistance you and Mr. Semach and your staff provided me was instrumental in the successful confirmation of my first Chapter 11 case. If I can ever repay the favor please let me know.
Posted by Steve Mitchell | December 2, 2013
Very Thankful
Today is our three year anniversary of Parliament's filing Chapter 11. From "All" the employees at Parliament, we wanted to "Thank You" for rescuing us and keeping us employed. Every family that relies on Parliament to sustain itself through these economic times owes you a great deal of gratitude and...
Buddy Dwight Ford's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. Buddy is truly one of the preeminent Bankruptcy lawyers in the South. His knowledge of bankruptcy matters is without limits. He has a tireless work ethic and is dedicated to achieving great results for his clients. I highly recommend and endorse him."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Buddy Ford is an experienced Florida attorney wolkingin the Tampa area where he practices business law, bankruptcy law, real estate and foreclosuer law. The Minnick Law Firm is considering referring cases to Mr. Ford because he is good."
"I endorse this lawyer for any bankruptcy matter!"
"I have known Buddy for over 5 years. A great bankruptcy practitioner. Very professional and knows the intricacies of the bankruptcy law. I highly reccomend."
"I tried a bankruptcy adversary proceeding against Buddy Ford. Buddy proved to be an ethical and capable adversarywho represented his position with dignity and respect for the process."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Buddy is a highly regarded bankruptcy lawyer who care about his clients. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Buddy For has been serving the community for many years and has proven time and time again that he is a staunch advocate for his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Because of his experience, he can "cut to the chase" and resolve issues very efficiently. His associates and staff are top notch as well. I have recommended him many times. Herb Donica"
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Experience
Honors
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2019
Top 100 Lawyers, Top 100 Registry
2018
Top 100 Bankruptcy Lawyer - FL, The American Society of Legal Advocates
2018
Recognizing Excellence in Bankruptcy Law, Lawyers of Distinction
2017
Best of Tampa Bay, 2017 Profile Series, Tampa Bay Times
2013
Best of Business Tampa Bankruptcy Lawyers 2013, Small Business Community Association
2013
INDO US, Chamber of Commerce Northeast Florida
2013
Client Choice Award, Avvo
2012
2012 Sustaining Law Firm, Bay Area Legal Services
2004
Presidential Business Commission, NRCC
2003
Florida Businessman of the Year Award, NRCC, Business Advisory Council
2000
Florida Republican of the Year Award, NRCC
2000
National Leadership Award, NRCC
Work Experience
1991 - Present
Owner, Buddy D. Ford, P.A.
1987 - 1997
Chapter 7 Trustee, U.S. Trustee
1984 - 1986
County Commissioner, Pike County, Kentucky
1983 - 1984
Law Clerk, United States Bankruptcy Court Eastern District of Kentucky, Honorable Joe Lee
Associations
2004 - Present
American Board of Certification - Business Bankruptcy
1987 - Present
Florida Bar
1987 - Present
Hillsborough County Bar Association
1987 - Present
Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association
American Bar Association
Education
1984
University of Kentucky College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1977
University of Louisville
B.S.
Speaking Engagements
2013
Indo-US Chamber of Commerce of NE FL Legal Panel
Chapter 11 Bankruptcy - Hotel Reorganization
Publications
2011
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Reorganizations dominated Buddy Ford’s massive 2010 bankruptcy case load
2008
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Business Chapter 11 Filings and Reorganizations are Booming
2008
Tampa Bay Business Journal
$200M Bankruptcy Petition Plays Out
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Car valuation for ch. 7 bankruptcy - (Middle District of Florida -Tampa Div.) -- is vehicle condition taken into account?
01 Oct 2014
Q&A
Ok to get a car tittle loan before filing personal chapter 7 bankruptcy?
02 Dec 2013