Law360 | 11th Circ. Says Cos.’ 20-Year Contract Fight Properly Ended

Alston & Bird served as trial counsel for Electrolux Home Products Inc. in a breach of contract case pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia. The case arises from Whitesell’s breach of a supply agreement entered into between Whitesell and Electrolux in 2000. Whitesell originally asserted breach of contract claims against Electrolux and sought more than $100 million in damages. Electrolux successfully defeated those claims before trial through motions practice. As a result, Electrolux proceeded to trial as a counterclaim plaintiff and, following a two-week jury trial, obtained a complete verdict of $1.2 million after the jury concluded that Whitesell breached the contract. The $1.2 million represents the full amount that Electrolux sought in the trial. In addition to the verdict, the court also entered judgment in favor of Electrolux for an additional $3.8 million based on Electrolux’s prior success on another breach of contract claim against Whitesell, bringing the total judgment in Electrolux’s favor to $5 million. Representing Electrolux in the case were Alston & Bird partner Amanda Waide and senior associate Jamie George.