At the University of North Carolina, Wade received his B.A. degree in Political Science in 1976 and his Law degree in 1979. He is a Board Certified Specialist in Family Law and a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.
Wade served in various staff positions in the U.S. House of Representatives before joining Wishart Norris Henninger & Pittman. An equity member of the firm, he practices in all areas of family law including equitable distribution, child custody, support and alimony. Wade has substantial experience with cases involving the valuation and distribution of business interests, and with cases involving complex taxation issues. Among his professional achievements, Wade has served as a member of several committees of the Family Law Council of the North Carolina Bar Association, and was Chairman of the Family Law Section for the 1999-2000 term. He continues as an ex-officio member of the Council as well as a member of the Continuing Legal Education Committee. Wade has participated as a member of the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts Child Custody Mediation Advisory Committee, the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission Ad Hoc Family Financial Committee, and the North Carolina Judicial Counsel Dispute Resolution Committee. His community leadership roles include serving as Chair of the Alamance County Strategic Planning Task Force, Chair of the Alamance County United Way, Chair of the March of Dimes Steering Committee for Alamance County, Professional Division Chair for the Alamance County Arts Council capital campaign, Deacon and Elder in the First Presbyterian Church, and Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 9, B.S.A. He is a past recipient of the Alamance Bar Association Community Service Award. Wade was inducted into the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers in 2000 and is a certified AAML Arbitrator. He has contributed to professional publications and is a frequent lecturer on family law matters. Wade was also among eight lawyers at Wishart Norris Henninger & Pittman chosen by his peers to be recognized as a ""2006 and 2007 North Carolina Super Lawyer"" in the practice area of Family Law, and in 2006 was selected as one of the ""Best Lawyers in America"" in Family Law.
