Charlotte, NC – Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP is pleased to announce that Ashley Edwards has been selected as a United States bankruptcy judge for the Western District of North Carolina. Ashley fills the seat of the Honorable J. Craig Whitley who retired in June.
In 14 years at Parker Poe, Ashley established herself as a go-to attorney in bankruptcy law, earning the praise of her clients and peers. Ashley’s clients, including Fortune 500 companies and national, regional, and community banks, recognized her high-caliber work in the area of bankruptcy and restructuring, ranking her in Chambers USA, Business North Carolina magazine’s "Legal Elite," and The Best Lawyers in America.
Her commitment to the practice was exemplified by the roles she served in the field, including as a member of the Next Generation Committee of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, the North Carolina Bar Association Bankruptcy Section, and the Southeastern Advisory Board of the American Bankruptcy Institute.
Ashley was admitted to practice before all U.S. Bankruptcy and District Courts in North Carolina and Georgia, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Prior to joining Parker Poe, Ashley clerked for Whitley of the United States Bankruptcy Court, Western District of North Carolina.
Ashley was selected as a judge by the circuit executive of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and sworn in Monday, September 16.
"Ashley’s dedication to our clients showed up in her work every day as she helped them meet their business objectives through creative solutions," said Chip Ford, a partner who leads the Financial Restructuring & Insolvency Group. "As she takes on this new role, I’m confident she’ll bring the same passion and thoughtful approach to the bench."
While at Parker Poe, Ashley served on the Pro Bono Committee and averaged more than 80 hours of pro bono services each year. In 2022, she was named among the 40 top business leaders under the age of 40 by the Charlotte Business Journal and has also been named to The Mecklenburg Times 50 Most Influential Women list.
"The Fourth Circuit clearly recognized what we already know — that Ashley is deeply experienced in bankruptcy law, is highly regarded among Southeast bankruptcy lawyers, and is a great fit for the job," said Will Esser, a partner who leads the firm’s Financial Services Industry Team. "Ashley will bring the same strong work ethic and enthusiasm to this new role that she brought to Parker Poe throughout her career."
About Parker Poe
Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP has more than 275 lawyers in eight offices in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Washington, DC. The firm provides legal counsel to many of the largest companies and local governments in the Southeast.
Parker Poe is a member of two leading international legal networks: TerraLex and the Employment Law Alliance. TerraLex and the ELA have chosen Parker Poe to help guide clients through the challenges of global business.