Graham Esdale

Graham Esdale joined Beasley Allen Law Firm in 1996. His primary focus is cases involving products liability and workplace injuries. 

Graham has been widely recognized for his legal experience and achievements. He has been named to the Best Lawyers in America and Midsouth Super Lawyers lists multiple times and was honored as the Best Lawyers 2020 Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs “Lawyer of the Year” in Montgomery. He was also selected for the prestigious Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America and Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers lists. Additionally, Graham is one of America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators and received a lifetime achievement award from America’s Top 100 Attorneys. His work on the Toyota case earned him a finalist spot for Public Justice’s 2014 Trial Lawyer of the Year. Graham has also been recognized as Beasley Allen’s 2006 Litigator of the Year and 2014 Products Liability Section Lawyer of the Year.

Throughout his career, he has taken on significant cases that have been instrumental in holding companies accountable and improving consumer safety. Graham has secured major verdicts, including a $114.5 million win against a bucket truck manufacturer and a $3 million verdict against Alabama Power Company for an electrical accident. One of his notable victories was against Ford Motor Co., where he helped secure $7 million for the family of Breanna Bumgarner, who tragically died due to a fire caused by a defect in her 2014 Ford Mustang after surviving a car crash. Graham also played a crucial role in addressing Toyota’s sudden unintended acceleration (SUA) issues. He was among the first to file lawsuits, leading to significant recalls and safety investigations. In 2013, a jury awarded $1.5 million to the families of two women who died in a crash caused by SUA in a 2005 Camry. This case prompted Toyota to settle many other lawsuits and pay $1.2 billion in fines. 

Graham has a strong background in the legal field and is dedicated to his community. He served as the President of the Alabama Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), a group that supports the right to trial by jury. To join ABOTA, lawyers must have led at least 20 civil jury trials. Graham has also been a National Board Member and is a Life Fellow in ABOTA. Beyond his legal work, he is active in his community, serving on the board of the River Region Board of Magic Moments, an organization that grants wishes to children with chronic illnesses.

Graham is married to Leigh Ann Hibbett from Florence, Alabama. They have two children: Whitney, who works as a physician assistant in cardiovascular surgery at Huntsville Hospital, and Robert, who is working in Montgomery. Graham is also a proud grandfather to his grandson, Gray.

Education

Graham earned his B.S. degree in marketing from Auburn University in 1980 before attending the University of Alabama School of Law, graduating in 1989. He began his law career at the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, where he participated in over 150 trials. 

Licenses

• Alabama (1989)