William S. "Will" Hereford
Will is a real estate litigation and creditor's rights attorney and practices in the Creditor's Rights and Bankruptcy Practice Group. He has a specialized focus on real property title issues, real property tax liens, and ejectment/quiet title cases, and he is experienced in construction, commercial, bankruptcy and landlord tenant litigation.
Will’s experience relating to ad valorem tax sales spans from the beginning of the tax sale process (advising clients relating to the rights of purchasers and concerning investment funding) to the end of the process (clearing of title and disposition of acquired properties), and everything in between. For over fifteen years he has regularly represented tax sale purchasers, owners, and holders of liens against properties sold for taxes. He has cleared title to hundreds of properties through ejectment/quiet title cases, and in the process, resolved issues relating to abandoned property, bankrupt property owners, lien priority issues (involving IRS liens, mortgages, judgment liens, homeowner and condo association liens, and municipal liens), challenges to tax sales, claims to excess/surplus funds, and disputed redemption rights.
In 2011, a trial judge appointed Will as a Special Master in a class action lawsuit involving claims to excess funds paid at ad valorem tax sales in Alabama. His appointment came following the completion of the initial claims process when the judge recognized that there remained approximately 900 unclaimed excess bids. In his position as Special Master, he reconciled the remaining unclaimed funds and established and implemented an efficient system, involving careful title and fact analysis, to process and resolve claims to the excess funds. His efforts resulted in the court approved release of millions of dollars to hundreds of persons and entities entitled to the funds.
His other extensive experience includes creditor representation in bankruptcy cases, representing businesses and individuals in commercial landlord tenant litigation, and representing contractors, subcontractors and suppliers in construction claims, disputes and litigation.
- Best Lawyers in America, "Lawyer of the Year," Litigation - Real Estate, Birmingham, Alabama (2019)
- Best Lawyers in America, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation - Real Estate (2010-2020)
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent© Peer Review Rating
Birmingham, Alabama 35203
