Giselle Gafford

Of Counsel

Giselle Gafford is Of Counsel with Slates Harwell. Giselle has a wide variety of experience in commercial construction law, from counseling clients in the initial phase of a project with contract drafting and risk mitigation, to prosecuting and defending various claims in trial and arbitration concerning design defects, delay and disruption, default, lien claims, payment disputes, insurance coverage, and warranty claims. Giselle has experience with property contamination claims and environmental issues, as well as product liability class action lawsuits specific to the construction industry.

In addition to her commercial construction practice, Giselle has experience in residential construction, and provides counsel to volume homebuilders. Giselle also handles contract review and administration for construction industry clients.

After graduating from St. Mary’s University School of Law, Giselle practiced for seven years with the construction team of an Am Law 200 firm before joining Slates Harwell. In addition to practicing law, Giselle also opened and operated her own small fitness business for several years.

PUBLICATIONS AND SPEECHES

Author and Presenter, Best Practices for Client Retention, National Fitness Brand Convention (2021)

Speaker and Author, Standards of Completion, The University of Texas Construction Law Conference (2011)

Author, Strengthening Mortgage Lending Discrimination Safeguards: The Requisite Need for Modernizing the Community Reinvestment Act, 7 Scholar 220

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Member, American Bar Association

Member, State Bar of Texas, Construction Law Section

Member, Dallas Bar Association, Construction Law Section

Member, Attorneys Serving the Community (ASC)

Graduate, North Texas Business Council for the Arts, Leadership Institute; Development Committee Chair