After the departure of Clifford B. Longley and Wallace Middleton in 1929 from the Ford Legal Department, legal work within the company was curtailed. Between 1930 and 1945, Ford's in-house legal functions consisted primarily of patent and trademark applications and purchasing agreements. The post-war reorganization of Ford Motor Company led to the organization of a new company legal office, renamed the Office of the General Counsel, headed by noted Detroit attorney William T. Gossett. With a staff of twenty-nine lawyers, the Office of the General Counsel oversaw the general legal activities of Ford Motor Company including industrial relations, corporate finance, litigation, patents and trademarks, dealer relations, advertising, insurance, purchasing, real estate, and building construction.
From the description of Office of the General Counsel (Ford Motor Company) records series, 1908-1961 (bulk 1920-1950). (The Henry Ford). WorldCat record id: 56572057
