Wade M. Smith
Attorney Profile
Top Rated Criminal Defense Attorney in Raleigh, NC
Wade Smith has been one of North Carolina’s best known and most acclaimed lawyers for nearly 50 years. His trials are recounted in books, magazines and journals. A renowned storyteller, Wade insists that within each case there is a compelling story waiting to be told. In seminars and bar meetings Wade has shared the art of storytelling. His cases offer a fine collection of North Carolina Courtroom lore. In 1979, Wade served as counsel to Dr. Jeffrey McDonald in the much studied and discussed Green Beret Murder case. Most recently he was lead counsel for Collin Finnerty, one of three young men accused in the Duke Lacrosse Case.
To commemorate the body of work Wade has completed, the North Carolina Bar Association established in the spring of 2008 the annual Wade M. Smith award “for a Criminal Defense Attorney Who Exemplifies the Highest Ideals of the Profession.” In summer, 2008, the North Carolina Bar Association presented Wade with the H. Brent McKnight Renaissance Lawyer Award which annually goes to “an attorney whose trustworthiness, respectful and courteous treatment of all people, enthusiasm for intellectual achievement and commitment to excellence in work and service to the profession and community, inspires others.”
In Summer, 2009, Wade was be honored along with other lawyers from across America by Best Lawyers in America for 25 years of succession for inclusion in their list. He has been listed in Best Lawyers in America since its inception in 1983. He has been selected to the North Carolina Super Lawyers Top 100 list since its inception in 2006, and has been frequently listed in their prestigious Top 10 list throughout the years. He has been selected to the Top 25 Raleigh Lawyers list by North Carolina Super Lawyers since it began in 2013. In 2016, Super Lawyers Magazine honored Mr. Smith, calling him “Our Atticus Finch” in their cover editorial.
In 2004 Wade was named by Business North Carolina Magazine as North Carolina’s number one criminal lawyer. This selection was based on a vote by his fellow lawyers. He is now a member of Business North Carolina’s “Legal Elite” Hall of Fame
Certificates and Credentials
Top Lists
- Top 100: 2022 North Carolina Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2022 Raleigh Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2021 North Carolina Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2021 Raleigh Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2020 North Carolina Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2020 Raleigh Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2019 North Carolina Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2018 North Carolina Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2018 Raleigh Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2017 North Carolina Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2017 Raleigh Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2016 North Carolina Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2016 Raleigh Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2016 North Carolina Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2015 North Carolina Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2015 Raleigh Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2014 North Carolina Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2014 North Carolina Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2014 Raleigh Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2013 North Carolina Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2013 North Carolina Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2013 Raleigh Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2012 North Carolina Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2012 North Carolina Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2011 North Carolina Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2010 North Carolina Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2010 North Carolina Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2009 North Carolina Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2009 North Carolina Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2008 North Carolina Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2008 North Carolina Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2007 North Carolina Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2006 North Carolina Super Lawyers
About Wade M. Smith
First Admitted: 1963, North Carolina
Professional Webpage: https://tharringtonsmith.com/our_attorneys/wade-m-smith/
Scholarly Lectures/Writings
Honors/Awards
- Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers
- North Carolina Bar Association established the annual Wade M. Smith award “for a Criminal Defense Attorney Who Exemplifies the Highest Ideals of the Profession”, North Carolina Bar Association, 2008
- Award for 25 years in Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America, 2009
- #1 Criminal Lawyer in North Carolina , Business North Carolina Magazine, 2004
- Joseph Branch Professionalism Award, Wake County Bar Association, 1998
- Judge John J. Parker Memorial Award, North Carolina Bar Association, 2015
- H. Brent McKnight Renaissance Lawyer Award, 2008
- Lawyer of the Year, Criminal Defense Non-White Collar, 2010, 2014, Best Lawyers in America
- “Legal Elite” Hall of Fame, Business North Carolina Magazine
- Fellow of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers
- Fellow of the International Society of Barristers
- Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism Award, 2014
- Bet-The-Company Litigation, Non-White-Collar, & White-Collar Criminal Defense sections of Best Lawyers of America® Since 1983, Best Lawyers of America
- Lawyer of the Year, Criminal Defense, White Collar, Best Lawyers in America, 2013
- Distinguished Service Medal winner, University of North Carolina, 1989
- Included in Best Lawyers in America© since its inauguration in 1983, Best Lawyer, Best Lawyers in America
Bar/Professional Activity
- North Carolina State Bar, Member, 1963
- American Board of Criminal Lawyers, Fellow
- Wake County Bar Association, President, 1988
- American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow
- The North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission, appointed 2006 one of the eight original commissioners
- North Carolina Bar Association, Member
- International Society of Barristers, Fellow
Pro bono/Community Service
- University of North Carolina, President of the Alumni Association, 1985
- North Carolina Democratic Party, Chair, 1985
- North Carolina House of Representatives (2 elections), 1973-1977
Articles about Wade M. Smith appearing in Super Lawyers
Additional Sources of Information About Wade M. Smith
Visit my FindLaw® profile
Last Updated: 9/2/2021