Edward M. Slaughter
Ed Slaughter is Partner-in-Charge of the Dallas office of Hawkins Parnell Thackston & Young LLP.
Ed represents corporations and individuals in high risk litigation. He has represented defendants as national trial counsel and national coordinating counsel including financial institutions, Fortune 500 corporations, employers, and manufacturers of dozens of different products. Ed has served as lead counsel in trials across the country, including the landmark defense victory in O'Neil v. Crane et al., which established that a defendant could not be held liable for another manufacturer's product. As national coordinating counsel, he manages expert development and retention and national trial preparation. Ed has successfully managed dockets of mass tort cases, obtaining thousands of dismissals without payment in the earliest stages of litigation.
Ed 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.
Ed is also a frequent author and invited speaker on various topics, including legal ethics, alternative fee arrangements, and cost control in litigation.
Professional affiliations
- American Bar Association
- Dallas Bar Association
- Texas State Bar Association
- Arkansas State Bar Association
- Defense Research Institute
- International Association of Defense Counsel
- Claims and Litigation Management Alliance, Alternative Fee Arrangements Committee, Environmental & Toxic Tort Committee
Honors
- International Order of Barristers
- Judicial Externship, Honorable Jimm Larry Hendren, United States District Court (Western District, Arkansas)
- National Champion, First Amendment Moot Court Competition, Vanderbilt University School of Law, 1994
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Rated
- Texas Super Lawyer (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)
Presentations
"Gatekeepers & Garbage Men: Challenging Meritless Causation Opinions," Asbestos Defense Strategic Summit (November 9, 2011)
"An Ethical Alternative: Application of the Model Rules of Professional Conduct in Alternative Fee Arrangements," Dallas In-House Summit by Texas Lawyer (October 20, 2011)
"Defeating Claims Against Automobile Component Suppliers," 14th Annual National Asbestos Litigation Conference (October 3-4, 2011)
"Implementing Alternative Fee Agreements--Challenges and Concerns for Clients and Carriers," DRI Lawyer's Professionalism & Ethics Committee Webinar (June 22, 2011)
"Deconstructing the Myth of Low Dose Causation in Toxic Tort Cases," In House CLE Series (June 9, 2011)
"Quasi-Intentional Torts & The Erosion of the Exclusive Remedy Provision," 4th Annual Emerging Trends in Asbestos Litigation Conference (April 7-8, 2011)
"Always Be Closing: The ABCs of Delivering Compelling Closing Arguments," Santa Fe Trial Tactics Seminar (January 15, 2011)
"Alternative Compensation Models and the Attorney-Client Relationship," Santa Fe Trial Tactics Seminar (January 14, 2011)
"Bending the Iron Triangle: A New Model for Predictability and Cost Control in Litigation." Dallas In-House Summit by Texas Lawyer (November 10, 2010)
“Legal Project Management, Achieving Quality Assurance and Cost Control in Litigation,” In-House CLE Series (May 9, 2010)
“National Counsel and Alternative Fee Agreements: Aligning the Interests of Attorney and Client,” Texas Lawyer Corporate Counsel Summit (April 7, 2010)
Co-chair, HB Litigation Conferences Annual Benzene Litigation Conference (July 2009)
“The Government Contractor Defense & The Duty to Warn,” Harris Martin Asbestos Seminar (2008)
“A Practical Review of Disease Diagnosis and Causation Evidence in Asbestos Litigation,” Defense Research Institute Asbestos Medicine Seminar (2007)
“Defending Retailers in Silica Litigation,” Defense Research Institute Silica Medicine Seminar (2005)
“Internet Resources for Your Law Practice,” Arkansas Bar Association (1999)
“Investigation and Trial of Fire Related Losses Due to Arson or Product Failure,” Arkansas Chapter of Association of Special Investigative Units (1999)
“Scientific Evidence and Application of the Daubert Standard for Scientific Evidence,” Arkansas Bar Association (1998)
“Winning Your First Trial,” Arkansas Bar Association (1997, 1996)
ALTERNATIVE FEE ARRANGEMENT RESOURCES
Budget Model - Excel Spreadsheet
Articles and publications
- Spare the Rod and Spoil the Arbitration
- National Counsel and Alternative Fee Agreements
- Is Your Expert a Liar or Does he Really Believe That Garbage?
- When Experts Lie: The Lawyer's Duties of Advocacy and Candor in Tension
- Defense Ethics and Professionalism: Can I Bill for This? A Call for Mentoring in the Modern Law Firm
- The Ethics 2000 Commission Amendments to the MPRC
- Aids Phobia: The Infliction of Emotional Distress and the Fear of Aids
Trials
- Thomas Metcalf, et al. v. Parker-Hannifin Corp, et al.
- Richard Steiner v. Abex, et al.
- Robert Verant v. Allis Chalmers, et al
- Nasseem and Sanna Farag v. Advance Auto Parts, et al.
- Richard Spencer, et. al. v. Amcord, Inc. et. al.
- Una Miller, et al. v. Alfa Laval, et al.
- Erik Lange, et al. v. Alfa Laval, et al.
- Rebecca Pelletier, et al v. Alfa Laval, Inc., et al.
- Charles and Glenda Cundiff v. Alfa Laval, Inc., et al.
- Arleen Pellegal v. Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, Inc. f/k/a Avondale Industries, et al.
- Barbara J. O'Neil, individually and as successor-in-interest to Patrick J. O'Neil, deceased, et al.
- Mary Ann Duncan, Individually and as Rep of the Estate of Milton Duncan v. Alfa Laval
- Peggy Wilson, Individually and as Executrix of the Estate of Allan Edward Wilson, deceased v. A.W. Chesterton, et al.
- Bobby Dale James, et al. v. The Sherwin-Williams Company
- Johnny Franklin, et al v. General Motors Corporation, et al.
- The Vince Hagan Company, Inc. v. The Sherwin-Williams Company
- Melba Learn v. Alfa Laval, Inc., et al.
- Stanley Racik v. Alfa Laval,Inc.
- Paul Verret & Judith Verret v. American Biltrite, Inc., et al.
Practice areas
Education
J.D., University of Arkansas, 1994
B.A., University of Memphis, 1991
Bar admissions
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Oklahoma
- Texas
Courts
- The Supreme Court of the State of Texas
- The Supreme Court of the State of Arkansas
- The Supreme Court of the State of Oklahoma
- The Supreme Court of the State of Arizona
- The Supreme Court of the State of California
- United States District Court of Arkansas (Eastern & Western Districts)
- United States District Court of Texas (Northern, Southern, Eastern & Western Districts)
- United States District Court of Oklahoma (Eastern & Western District)
- United States Court of Appeals (Eighth & Fifth Circuit)
- United States Supreme Court
News
- California Supreme Court Confirms that a Defendant Cannot be Held Strictly Liable for Another Manufacturer’s Product
- HPTY Wins Summary Judgment in Los Angeles Mesothelioma Case
- Ed Slaughter Secures Dismissal for Product Liability Client
- HPTY Forces Withdrawal of Plaintiff's Claim That His Colon Cancer Was Caused by Asbestos
- HPTY Secures Summary Judgment for Two Clients
- HPTY Obtains Dismissal of 159 Toxic Tort Claims in Oklahoma
- Ed Slaughter and Lauren Wood Win Dismissal Mesothelioma Case in Arizona
- Ed Slaughter Wins Defense Verdict in Los Angeles Mesothelioma Case
- Ed Slaughter and Macy Chan Obtain Summary Judgment in Mesothelioma Case
- HPTY Secures Supreme Court Victory in Arizona
- Ed Slaughter and Barret Marshall Win Motion to Strike Expert Witness and Motion for Summary Judgment