Edward S. Sledge IV

Alabama State Bar (ASB), President's Award, 2013-2015 American Bar Foundation, Fellow Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® Commercial Litigation, 2015-2025 Listed in Mid-South Super Lawyers General Litigation, 2016-2024 Listed in Alabama Super Lawyers General Litigation, 2015 "Top 50," General Litigation, 2014 "Rising Star," General Litigation, 2012-2013 Listed in Benchmark Litigation, "Future Star," Alabama, 2018-2021 "Litigation Star," 2023-2024 Listed in Birmingham Magazine, "Top Attorneys," 2012 Alabama State Bar Leadership Forum, Class 8, 2012 Listed in Birmingham Business Journal's "Veterans of Influence," 2018, 2020 International Association of Defense Counsel, Richard L. Neumeier Excellence in Service Award, 2023 Tried to verdict case on behalf of a multi-family developer against a foreign corporation investor seeking to avoid obligations based on COVID-centered defenses arising from real estate purchase agreement. Client prevailed on all claims and against all counterclaims. Tried to verdict alleged wrongful case on behalf of multi-family property management firm. Retained after the close of discovery, worked with insurer-appointed counsel to modify trial strategy. Managed client risk associated with a potential excess verdict, resulting in a successful “high-low agreement” and a verdict well within coverage limits and well under plaintiff’s demand. Tried to verdict case on behalf of an Alabama independent diagnostic facility against a national medical equipment manufacturer and seller. The jury found in favor of client on all claims, including fraud, breach of contract, and entitlement to punitive damages against manufacturer. The jury also found against the equipment manufacturer on its counterclaim for breach of contract. Tried to verdict case on behalf of an Alabama aircraft modification and maintenance provider against an aircraft finance company. The jury trial resulted in a multimillion-dollar jury verdict in favor of client and a defense verdict as to all counterclaims asserted by the aircraft finance company. Trial win for commercial lender against borrower/guarantor, including court-ordered entry of judgment for receivership. Tried to verdict case on behalf of manufactured home defendant involving various state consumer, contractual and real property lien right claims. Obtained zero-payment dismissal of commercial fraud and product liability claims brought by commercial seedstock cattle operation against national farmer-owned cooperative and supplier of animal feed Obtained zero-payment dismissal of commercial fraud claims brought by commercial borrower against Connecticut-based commercial lender. Obtained zero-payment dismissal of FCRA case against consumer lender. Obtained zero-payment dismissal of commercial fraud/RICO case against a Berkshire Hathaway company. Obtained summary judgment in commercial fraud case against a Berkshire Hathaway company and its CEO. Obtained zero-payment dismissal of contract and tort claims against Berkshire Hathaway and certain subsidiary companies. Obtained zero-payment dismissal of purported class action alleging class-wide violations of certain statutory real property lien rights. Obtained zero-payment dismissal on behalf of consumer mortgage lender in class action under FDCPA. Successfully completed commercial foreclosure and judgment collection actions on behalf of a private equity group across multiple jurisdictions in the Southeast. Obtained summary judgment of claims against storage company in alleged property theft action. Obtained favorable judgments and settlements for hotel business clients seeking to enforce liquidated damages clauses. Successfully represented various clients in construction-related disputes involving contractual and real property lien rights. Successfully defended private equity group against class action under the WARN Act.