Atty. Wade M. Smith
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.
Profile Summary
About Wade M. Smith at a glance
Wade M. Smith is an attorney based in Raleigh, North Carolina, practforg at Tharrington Smith LLP. Admitted to practice in North Carolina, North Carolina State Bar. Educated at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (J.D., 1963) and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (—). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Bet-the-Company Litigation (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: General Practice (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2026). Serands clients in Raleigh, NC and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- 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 will be honored along with other lawyers from across America by Best Lawyers in America
- This honor recognizes him for being chosen 25 years in succession for inclusion in the publication, Best Lawyers in America
- 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
- In 2009 Wade was named by Charlotte Magazine's Super Lawyers Section as one of North Carolina's Top Ten Lawyers
- Wade was born in 1937 in Albemarle, North Carolina
- His mother and father were textile workers, having barely survived the Great Depression
- Wade and his brother, Roger, were raised in a mill village called New Town
- The family attended North Albemarle Baptist Church
- Wade recalls that they went to church "every single time the doors opened
- In high school Wade was an All American football player with many opportunities to play on college football scholarships
- But he chose, instead, an academic scholarship, The Morehead, at the University of North Carolina
- At UNC he excelled in academics and athletics, serving as one of the captains of the football team and winning many honors as an athlete
- He was also awarded membership in the University's highest honorary, The Golden Fleece
- Wade has maintained his connection with the University, serving as President of the Alumni Association in 1985
- In 1989 the University awarded him its Distinguished Service Medal
- After completing his undergraduate work and earning an A.B. in English, Wade attended the University of North Carolina School of Law, graduating in 1963
- From 1963 to 1964 he was clerk to North Carolina Supreme Court Justice, Carlisle W. Higgins
- After his year as a clerk, Wade joined friend and fellow law clerk, J. Harold Tharrington, to found the law firm Tharrington Smith
- Justice Higgins was a mentor to Wade throughout his formative years as a lawyer and, after finishing his years on the North Carolina Supreme Court, Justice Higgins joined Tharrington Smith, remaining with the firm until his death in 1980
- Wade counts among his most important mentors acclaimed defense lawyers, Robert L. McMillan, Jr., Carl Churchill and Joseph Cheshire V. But Wade says he has learned the most from his brother, Roger W. Smith, a renowned lawyer in his own right
- From 1964 to 1966 Wade was a prosecutor in Wake County Superior Court
- He then began his work as a trial lawyer
- During the ensuing years Wade has tried dozens of cases before juries in federal and state courts across North Carolina and other states
- In 1973 Wade was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives and was reelected in 1975
- In 1977 he retired from politics to devote full time to the practice of law
- In 1985 he was elected to a one year term as chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party
- Wade has been chosen for membership in many associations recognizing excellence in trial work
- He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a Fellow of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, and a Fellow of the International Society of Barristers
- He served as President of the Wake County Bar Association in 1988
- In 1998 he was presented the Joseph Branch Professionalism Award by the Wake County Bar Association
- He has been listed in Best Lawyers in America since its inception
- In 2014 he received the Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism Award
- In 2006 the North Carolina General Assembly established The North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission
- The purpose of the Commission is to evaluate actual innocence claims made by people convicted of criminal acts in North Carolina
- Wade was appointed by the North Carolina Chief Justice to serve as one of the eight commissioners serving on this new North Carolina Commission
- Wade's work crosses many spectra, both civil and criminal
- He has represented people and businesses great and small
- Wade insists that there are no small cases
- All cases which concern people are important to them, and therefore to him
- He often represents businesses and business people in crisis during federal and state criminal investigations and trials
- He has represented people from every walk of life and every kind of employment
- He has worked in the areas of tax fraud, Medicaid and Medicare Fraud, health care fraud, environmental crimes and financial crimes
- Wade and Ann have two children, Karen Linehan and Robyn Yigit Smith
- They have four grandchildren, two girls, Kelsey Linehan and Dylan Linehan, and two boys, Kenan Wade Yigit and Aslan Asa Byrum Yigit
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in North Carolina
Practforg law in North Carolina. Legal matters in North Carolina are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantiand law. Cases originating in Raleigh are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate North Carolina state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in North Carolina brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantiand law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in North Carolina courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional North Carolina attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Raleigh or all attorneys in North Carolina.
Frequently Asked
Common questions about Wade M. Smith
Where is Wade M. Smith's law office located?
Wade M. Smith's law practice is located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The firm is Tharrington Smith LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
Where did Wade M. Smith go to law school?
Wade M. Smith earned their education at (J.D., 1963); (—).
How can I contact Wade M. Smith for a consultation?
You can contact Wade M. Smith directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Wade M. Smith receiandd?
Wade M. Smith's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Bet-the-Company Litigation; Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: General Practice; Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar; Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:; Best Lawyers in America — White-Collar Criminal Defense.
Practice Areas
Education
J.D.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- 1963
—
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- In Progress
Awards
Best Lawyers in America — Bet-the-Company Litigation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: General Practice
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — White-Collar Criminal Defense
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Fellow of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Top 25 Raleigh Super Lawyers (2013, 2014)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Listed in Super Lawyers North Carolina (Since 2006)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Top 100 List North Carolina Super Lawyers (Since 2006)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Top 10 North Carolina Super Lawyers List (2006-2010, 2012-2014)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Award for 25 years in Best Lawyers in America (2009)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Lawyer of the Year, Criminal Defense Non-White Collar, (2010, 2014)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Lawyer of the Year, Criminal Defense, White Collar (2013)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — H. Brent McKnight Renaissance Lawyer Award (2008)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Business North Carolina Legal Elite
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — #1 Criminal Lawyer in North Carolina by Business North Carolina Magazine (2004)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Member of Business North Carolina's "Legal Elite" Hall of Fame
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism Award (2014)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — University of North Carolina, Distinguished Service Medal Winner (1989)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Wake County Bar Association, Joseph Branch Professionalism Award (1998)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — North Carolina Bar Association’s Judge John J. Parker Memorial Award (2015)
- 2026
Lawyer of the Year — Criminal Defense: General Practice (Raleigh)
- 2025
Lawyer of the Year — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (Raleigh)
- 2025
Lawyer of the Year — Criminal Defense: General Practice (Raleigh)
- 2014
Lawyer of the Year — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (Raleigh)
- 2013
Lawyer of the Year — Criminal Defense: General Practice (Raleigh)
- 2010
Lawyer of the Year — Wake County Bar Association (Joseph Branch Professionalism Award)
- 1998
Lawyer of the Year — University of North Carolina (Distinguished Service Medal Winner)
- 1989
Bar Admissions
North Carolina, North Carolina State Bar
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