Evan M. Sauda

Mr. Sauda counsels clients on all aspects of the franchise relationship, providing guidance on the intricacies of the franchise relationship and franchise disclosure documents. He also has experience advising clients on federal and state hemp laws and regulations and is Legal Lean Sigma^® Yellow Belt certified.

• Represented a tool manufacturer in a dispute with circuit board designer and assembler regarding amounts owed for components following termination of contract.

• Represents a financial institution handling and advising on defaults and collection efforts for an equipment leasing portfolio.

• Represented a hemp beverage company in a dispute with an investor over prepayment of a convertible note.

• Represented corporate landowners in condemnation cases arising out of the widening of I-485 through Ballantyne, North Carolina.

• Represented a developer and landlord in an action seeking to invalidate rental restrictions passed after the acquisition of a large portion of an unfinished residential subdivision.

• Advised a real estate company on the implementation and enforcement of a novel program involving agreements to list homes in the future.

• Served as arbitration counsel for a homebuilder in an action to require the seller to indemnify the client for deficient construction under the asset purchase agreement.

• Represented an equipment maintenance provider in an action against a former independent producer alleging breaches of the parties' agreement pre- and post-termination.

• Represented a manufacturer in an action against the former CEO for the collection of an unpaid loan and seeking a declaratory judgment that the CEO was not entitled to any post-termination payment.

• Advised on and implemented a lease renegotiation strategy for all locations of a large retailer during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Defended a class action seeking damages for a retailer's allegedly improper text messages under the TCPA.

• Represented a tool manufacturer in the defense of a putative class action alleging defective batteries and chargers and deceptive advertising practices under California law; settled on an individual basis following an expert inspection.

• Served as lead counsel in an action against a software developer for breach of delivery promises in the development agreement.

• Served as trial and appellate counsel for a group purchasing organization in a bench trial seeking payment of allowances from suppliers and the defense of counterclaims.

• Served as trial counsel in a weeklong bench trial arising from a utility's decision to terminate an engineering, procurement, and construction contract for a nuclear power plant.

• Served as trial counsel in a tortious interference case relating to the competitor's pressure on a common forklift dealership, resulting in a nearly $10 million jury verdict returned following the two-week trial.

• Served as arbitration counsel for a business owner in a dispute with a partner regarding a buyout provision, with the decision issued following a three-day arbitration hearing.

• Represented a franchisor in a two-week trial to jury verdict involving breach of contract and trademark action for royalty strike, holdover, and failure to de-identify against the franchisee.

• Served as counsel in a bench trial defending wrongful termination and buyback claims brought by a dealer, with the case settling following a trial and appeal.

• Lead trial counsel for a food service vendor in an AAA arbitration alleging breach of contract. The arbitration award was issued after a two-day arbitration in Jacksonville, Florida.

• Served as lead counsel for the purchasers of buildings in a breach of contract and misrepresentation action against a developer relating to claims about the income potential of commercial offices.

• Represented a tax consultant in a confidential AAA arbitration alleging breach of contract against a large public utility regarding tax savings realized and fees owed. The case settled before the final arbitration hearing.

• Defended a client in breach of contract and fraud claims brought as a result of promises supposedly made by a pre-takeover entity under 12 U.S.C. 1823.

• Board Member – Larry King's Clubhouse
• Member – 26th Judicial District Bar Grievance Committee
• Past Chair – Mecklenburg County Bar Legal Volunteer Recruitment Committee
• Member – American Bar Association, Forum on Franchising
• Elder – Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church
• Certified Legal Lean Sigma^® Yellow Belt

• "The Litigation Funding Landscape: Navigating the New Frontier," Association of Corporate Counsel (August 2025)
• Co-presenter – "Annual Franchise Law Legal Update," Southeast Franchise Forum (May 2022)
• Panelist – "Alternative Fee Arrangements, Are They Right for You?," Association of Corporate Counsel (October 2020)
• "February Finale: Modern E-Discovery – Managing Risks for Complex Litigation," North Carolina Bar Association (February 2020)

• Baker Donelson Launches Charlotte Office, Expands Foothold in Carolinas with Addition of Eight Shareholders (March 4, 2024)