Edward M. Slaughter

Edward Slaughter has been a trial lawyer for more than twenty-five years. He represents clients in high-risk litigation as national trial counsel and national coordinating counsel. He has tried cases to verdict across the country including the landmark mesothelioma defense victory in O'Neil v. Crane, et al., which established product manufacturers could not be held liable for injuries caused by replacement parts or materials used in association with their products.

In August 2019, Edward won a complete defense verdict in Hayes v. Colgate-Palmolive Company, et al., on behalf of Colgate-Palmolive in Louisville, Kentucky. This was the first cosmetic talc case to go to verdict in the state.

As national coordinating counsel, Edward manages expert development and national strategy. He has successfully managed dockets of mass tort cases, obtaining thousands of dismissals without payment in the earliest stages of litigation. Edward has also been actively involved in reshaping the Texas litigation landscape through tort reform. He assisted in drafting legislative proposals and testified before the Texas House Civil Practices Committee to close the loophole that allowed thousands of out-of-state claims to be filed in Texas.

Edward is also a frequent author and invited speaker of various topics, including alternative fee arrangements and developing efficient models for legal project management and cost control in litigation.

Admissions

• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Connecticut
• Illinois
• Missouri
• New York
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• Texas
• West Virginia
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
• Supreme Court of the United States

Memberships

• Defense Research Institute
• Claims and Litigation Management Alliance
• Law Alumni Society Board for the University of Arkansas

Trials

• Borenstein v. PACCAR – Islip, NY (July 2024)
• Barkley v. Colgate – Los Angeles, CA (2024)
• Thomas v. Colgate – Oakland, CA (2024)
• Phillips v. Howmet – New York, NY (2024)
• Albert v. Crestpark, LLC et Al – Helena, Arkansas (September 2023)
• Thompson v. Hennessy Industries – Fort Lauderdale, FL (2023)
• Chapman v. Avon et al. – Los Angeles, CA (2022)
• Sesock v. A.O. Smith Water Products Co., et al. – New York, NY (2022)
• Eggers v. Colgate – Oklahoma City, OK (2022)
• Moore v. Colgate et al. – Los Angeles, CA (2021)
• Woodruff v. Zidell Explorations et al. – Tacoma, WA (2021)
• Arlan Wieland and Dina Wieland v. ArvinMeritor, Inc. et al. – Edwardsville, IL (2020)
• Raegena Boggs and Paul Boggs v. 3M Company, et al. – Wheeling, West Virginia (2020)
• Jennifer E. Bechtel, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Henry S. Eisler, Jr., v. Alcoa Corporation, et al. – Seattle, Washington (2019)
• Cynthia Hayes, as Executrix of the Estate of Donna Ann Hayes v. Colgate-Palmolive Company, et al. – Louisville, Kentucky (2019)
• Shirley Jo Godfrey, Individually and as Executrix for the Estate of Robert C. Godfrey v. American Biltrite Inc., et al. (2019)
• Allison Linsky v. Amchem Products, Inc., et al. – New York City, New York (2019)
• David O. Dorey and Rebecca L. Dorey v. Arconic, Inc., et al. – Seattle, Washington (2019)
• Desiree Hooper-Lynch v. Colgate-Palmolive Company, et al. – New York City, New York (2019)
• Sally & Charles Brandt v. Colgate-Palmolive Company, et. al. – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2019)
• Paul Garcia v. Colgate-Palmolive Company, et. al. – Los Angeles, California (2018)
• John Egri v. 3M Company, et al. – New York City, New York (2018)
• Olga Gonzalez, Ventura Gonzalez III, and Lisa Saenz, Individually and as Representatives of the Estate of Ventura Gonzalez, II, Deceased v. CNA Holdings, Inc., f/k/a Celanese Corp. – Kingsville, Texas (2018)
• Bonnie J. Marzik, Administratrix for the Estate of Gerald G. Marzik v Honeywell International, Inc, et al. – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2017)
• Owens v. Reynolds Aluminum Development Co. – Bridgeport, Connecticut (2017)
• Carol Cote and William Cote v. A.W. Chesterton Company, et al. – Edwardsville, Illinois (2016)
• Peter LaMonica, et al. v. Colgate-Palmolive Company, et al. – Los Angeles, California (2016)
• Charles Vanderyacht v. C.H. Murphy/Clark Ullman, Inc. et al. – Portland, Oregon (2016)
• Frank Gondar v. A.O. Smith Water Products, et al. – New York City, New York (2016)
• Fraser, et al. v. Boething Treeland Nursery Co., d/b/a Treeland Conejo, et al. – Los Angeles, California (2015)
• Swasey, et al. v. Asbestos Companies, et al. – Oakland, California (2015)
• FitzSimons v. Air & Liquid Systems, et al. – New York City, New York (2015)
• Mastin v. A.O. Smith, et al. – New York City, New York (2015)
• Ricci v. Alcoa, et al. – New York City, New York (2015)
• Roberto Campagna v. 3M, et al. – New York City, New York (2015)
• Sergio Hravtin v. A.O. Smith Water Products, et al. – New York City, New York (2015)
• Adam Jones v. John Doe – Alice, Texas (2015)
• Tully v. American Biltrite, et al. – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2014)
• Michelle Brockmyer, Individually and as Successor-in-Interest to Richard Smith, Deceased, and Eric Smith v. Union Carbide Corporation, et al. – Los Angeles, California (2014)
• Diosadado Chinea v. A.O. Smith Water Products, et al. – New York City, New York (2014)
• George Purville v. A.W. Chesterton Company, et al. – New York City, New York (2014)
• Remo Corsi v. 3M Company, et al. – New York City, New York (2014)
• Vincent Santino v. American Biltrite, Inc., et al. – New York City, New York (2014)
• John Murray v. A.O. Smith Water Products, et al. – New York City, New York (2014)
• Hiroko Felton, individually and as successor in interest to the Estate of Donald L. Felton, Deceased, v. Davison-Conroy, Inc., et al. – Los Angeles, California (2014)
• Freddie Beauchamp, Jr. vs. American Honda Motor Company, Inc., et al. – Los Angeles, California (2014)
• Franklin Schwab and Patricia Schwab v. Pneumo Abex LLC, et al. – Santa Cruz, California (2013)
• Evelyn Molloy v. Crane Co. et al. – New York City, New York (2013)
• Silas J. Minton, Jr. and Stacey L. Minton v. Borgwarner Morse Tec Inc., et al. – Los Angeles, California (2013)
• Natalie R. Dean, Individually and as Representative of the Estate of Paul Gaydos, Deceased, and Rebecca Lynn Karlik and Deane Maries Gaydos v. Alcoa, Inc. – Houston, Texas (2013)
• Steven Burleson, et al. v. 3M Company, et al. – Los Angeles, California (2012)
• Thomas Metcalf, et al. v. Parker-Hannifin Corp, et al. – San Francisco, California (2012)
• Jacob Jager and Norma Jager v. 3M Company, et al. – Los Angeles, California (2011) 
• Richard Steiner v. Abex, et al. – Santa Barbara, California (2011)
• Robert Verant v. Allis Chalmers, et al. – Los Angeles, California (2011)
• Nasseem and Sanna Farag v. Advance Auto Parts, et al. – Los Angeles, California (2010)
• Richard Spencer, et. al. v. Amcord, Inc. et. al. – Los Angeles, California (2010)
• Una Miller, et al. v. Alfa Laval, et al. – Los Angeles, California (2009)
• Erik Lange, et al. v. Alfa Laval, et al. – Los Angeles, California (2009)
• Rebecca Pelletier, et al v. Alfa Laval, Inc., et al. – Los Angeles, California (2009)
• Charles and Glenda Cundiff v. Alfa Laval, Inc., et al. – Los Angeles, California (2009)
• Arleen Pellegal v. Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, Inc. f/k/a Avondale Industries, et al. – New Orleans, Louisiana (2008)
• Barbara J. O'Neil, individually and as successor-in-interest to Patrick J. O'Neil, deceased, et al. – Los Angeles, California (2008)
• Mary Ann Duncan, Individually and as Rep of the Estate of Milton Duncan v. Alfa Laval – York, South Carolina (2008)
• Peggy Wilson, Individually and as Executrix of the Estate of Allan Edward Wilson, deceased v. A.W. Chesterton, et al. – New York City, New York (2008)
• Bobby Dale James, et al. v. The Sherwin-Williams Company – Dallas, Texas (2007)
• Johnny Franklin, et al v. General Motors Corporation, et al. – Lawrenceburg, Kentucky (2007)
• The Vince Hagan Company, Inc. v. The Sherwin-Williams Company – Dallas, Texas 2007)
• Melba Learn v. Alfa Laval, Inc., et al. – Los Angeles, California (2007)
• Stanley Racik v. Alfa Laval, Inc. – Los Angeles, California (2007)
• Texas Treasure Fields, Inc. v. Tommy Ford, et al. – Dallas, Texas (2006)
• Paul Verret & Judith Verret v. American Biltrite, Inc., et al. – Fort Worth, Texas (2004)

Publications

• Author, Cautious Optimism Over the Increasingly Prevalent Alternative Fee Arrangements, Law.com, August 2018
• Author, Who Goes on the Verdict Form: Arkansas’ Evolving Apportionment Rules, LinkedIn Article, April 2018
• Author, Two Years of Asbestos Trust Transparency in Texas, Civil Justice Response Committee Newsletter, February 2018
• Author, National Compendium of Causation Standards in Asbestos Litigation, LinkedIn Article, December 2017
• Author, Who Goes on the Verdict Form: Obfuscation in Oregon, LinkedIn Article, September 2016

Presentations

• Speaker, Docket Management in Mass Filing Jurisdictions, Perrin Conferences, Los Angeles, California, March 2019
• Speaker, Objective Medical Evidence in Asbestos Litigation, DRI, Asbestos Medicine Seminar, Austin, Texas, November 2018
• Speaker, Mesothelioma Diagnosis and Attribution Evidentiary Issues Review, In-House CLE Series, Greenwood Village, Colorado, March 6, 2018
• Speaker, Using Industrial Hygiene and Dose Calculations in Household Exposure and Neighborhood Claims, In-House CLE Series, Chicago, Illinois, November 8, 2017
• Speaker, A Claims Professional’s Guide to Understanding Medical Issues in Asbestos Litigation, In-House CLE Series, Hartford, Connecticut, September 7, 2017
• Speaker, Defending Bystander, Household Exposure, and Environmental Exposure Claims in Asbestos Litigation, In-House CLE Series, Hartford, Connecticut. September 7, 2017
• Speaker, Risk Analysis and Defense Strategy in Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer Cases, In-House CLE Series, Chicago, Illinois, February 21, 2017
• Speaker, Expert Witness Selection and Strategic Planning in Asbestos Litigation, In-House CLE Series, Boston, Massachusetts, January 26, 2017
• Speaker, Asbestos and Talc National Review and Trends, The National Forum for Environmental & Toxic Tort Issues (FETTI), Chicago, Illinois, September 21-23, 2016
• Speaker, Using Objective Evidence in Defending Mesothelioma Claims, In-House CLE Series, Dover, Delaware, February 24, 2016
• Speaker, Defending Heavy Equipment and Automobile Friction Exposure Claims, In-House CLE Series, Chicago, Illinois, January 21, 2016
• Speaker, Industrial Hygiene and Epidemiology Evidence in Asbestos Litigation, In-House CLE Series, Boston, Massachusetts, January 19, 2016
• Speaker, Navy Exposures, Apportionment of Fault, and Sole Cause Evidence in Mesothelioma Cases, In-House CLE Series, Indianapolis, Indiana, March 9, 2015
• Speaker, Defending Mesothelioma Cases with Objective Medical Evidence, Advanced Trial Tactics Seminar, In-House CLE Series, Montalba, Texas, January 9, 2015
• Speaker, Debunking the Every Exposure Contributes Myth in NYCAL Asbestos Litigation, Perrin Conferences, New York, New York, December 2, 2014
• Speaker, Identification and Defense of High Risk Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer Cases, In-House CLE Series, Boston, Massachusetts, October 17, 2014
• Speaker, Identifying Medical and Causation Issues in Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer Cases, The National Forum for Environmental & Toxic Tort Issues, Union League Club, Chicago, Illinois, October 8-10, 2014
• Speaker, Asbestos Field Guide, Practical Guidelines for Claims Professionals, In-House CLE Series, Chicago, Illinois, August 15, 2014
• Speaker, Asbestos Field Guide, Practical Guidelines for Claims Professionals, In-House CLE Series, Cincinnati, Ohio, April 25, 2014
• Speaker, Prepare to Win: Identifying the Issues that Win the Toughest Trials, In-House CLE Series, Montalba, Texas, May 2, 2014
• Speaker, Medical Defense in Mesothelioma Cases:  Nonmalignant Mesothelial Hyperplasia and other Diagnostic Challenges, In-House CLE Series, San Francisco, California, February 12-13, 2014

Education

CLMP, Litigation Management Institute at Columbia University School of Law, 2012

J.D., University of Arkansas School of Law, 1994

B.A., University of Memphis, 1991

Honors

International Order of Barristers

Judicial Externship, Honorable Jimm Larry Hendren, United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas

Commencement Speaker, University of Arkansas School of Law (1994)

National Champion, First Amendment Moot Court Competition, Vanderbilt University School of Law (1994)

AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

Best Lawyers in America® distinction in Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (2013-2025), Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants (2025)