Wade Byrd knows his way around a courtroom.
He has a graceful gait.
He can put a client’s humanity into the heart of a juror with his Southern-lawyer charm and engaging personality. He has a style that can win a juror’s respect. No matter the case and no matter the courtroom, Wade Byrd is a lawyer with a presence.
“I like to represent those in need, and people who can’t afford a lawyer,” Byrd, 78, said this week after receiving the Order of the Long Leaf Pine on Tuesday from Gov. Josh Stein at Byrd’s law office on Person Street. “And giving the little guy a voice.”
The Long Leaf Pine is considered the highest civilian honor for those who have made significant contributions to the state and their communities through exemplary service and exceptional accomplishments.
“Being governor is cool, let me tell you that,” Stein said. “It’s a great job. But one thing I get to do is to just take pause from the swirl of daily life and reflect on who makes a difference, and since 1963, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine has served as an honor that the governor gets to bestow on North Carolinians who make a special mark on the community and on the state.
“It really is reserved for North Carolina’s finest people like Michael Jordan, Maya Angelou, and Billy Graham. I just did Dell Curry last week, who’s made a huge impact in Charlotte. And people like Wade Byrd.
“He takes people who have experienced some horrific wrong and need a champion to go wage battle in the court of law and our rules of justice, and to make sure that they get their day in court,” the governor said. “And if you have Wade Byrd on your side, you’re more likely going to win than not. He just is a man whose heart is bigger than his body. So, with that, I would love to honor you, Wade Byrd, with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.”
More than 20 friends and family members were on hand for the presentation, including longtime friend Crawford MacKethan.
“The governor’s hand on Wade’s shoulder was a big deal,” MacKethan said.
And perhaps no one may have been more proud Tuesday than Laura Byrd in seeing her father honored by the governor.
“I am especially filled with admiration for my father this week,” said Byrd, who works as a paralegal for the law office. “Over the course of his 50-year career as a trial lawyer, his exceptional talent in litigation and unwavering dedication to advocating for victims of injustice have made an indelible impact. He has devoted his life’s work to standing up for others and helping countless individuals find justice and a voice when they needed it most. I am in awe of all that he has accomplished and truly grateful to call him my father.”
Byrd was a humble recipient in a poignant moment.
“I am truly honored by the award, by your presence, and I am very grateful to be recognized in this way,” Byrd told the governor. “It is a privilege that I do not take lightly. In North Carolina, we understand that we are all in life together, and we all have to give back to our community, and help the least of those … the weak, the oppressed and downtrodden, and sometimes the unpopular. But this recognition reflects not only my efforts, but the support, encouragement, and shared commitment of so many people along the way, and so many people in this room.
“I am deeply thankful for those who nominated me, supported me, and believed in the work that I do.
“And to my family, whose love and steady support make everything possible,” Byrd said, “I share this honor with each and all of you, and in the end, the highest honor and praise go to God.”
Along Westmont Drive
Wade Byrd grew up with five brothers and a sister in the two-story, flat-top home along Westmont Drive near Snyder Memorial Baptist Church. He was born to the late William D. Byrd and Helen Evans Byrd. His father was in the insurance and real estate business. His mother was a registered nurse at what then was Cape Fear Valley and Highsmith Rainey hospitals.
He graduated from the old Fayetteville High School, class of 1966, where the senior class voted him “Most Friendly,” because of his engaging personality that would follow him throughout life. Those who know him best say he inherited his charming ways from his father and his kindness from his mother.
Every Sunday was for being in church and listening to sermons of Rev. James Cammack, and later palling around with the late Chris Cammack, who was the preacher’s son, and whom Byrd will tell you was “his best friend.”
Before the 11 a.m. service, there was Sunday school, where his attendance was perfect under teachers to include the late Richard Wiggins, the late Harold Downing, and the late Lacy Collier. All were lawyers. They taught Bible scripture, and something else.
“They talked about trying to make a level playing field for the little guy,” Byrd said.
They piqued his interest in law.
He enrolled in undergraduate classes at Wingate Junior College—now Wingate University—singing in the traveling choir and hitchhiking home on weekends. But times were difficult for a father and mother raising seven children.
“Daddy ran out of money,” Byrd said. “I dropped out my freshman year. Chris Cammack encouraged me to go see Mildred Poole, who was on the board of trustees at Methodist University. I enrolled as a day student and graduated in 1970.”
He earned his law degree from Wake Forest University in 1973.
“I went to work for Jack Thompson in the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office,” Byrd said. “I got thrown into the courtroom early and Superior Court after three months.”
Judges and juror and fellow attorneys saw a gifted lawyer on the rise.
Byrd later went into private practice with the late Dolph Berry and the late Bob Caudle. His legend as a young lawyer grew quickly and has endured for 52 years throughout the county, the state, and beyond.
Excellent Lawyer With Heart of Gold
“He is an excellent lawyer,” said Jerry Beaver, a retired criminal defense attorney. “He’s dependable, he is smart, and he’s willing to do battle when the battle needs to be done. He’s helped a lot of people over the years. I have nothing to say but good things about Wade Byrd. He is dedicated to his profession and deserving of any accolades. He has aligned himself with some reputable lawyers, and he gets high praise for giving money to a lot of charitable causes.”
Claire Hill is a retired Cumberland County Superior Court judge.
“Wade is one of the best trial attorneys in the state,” she said. “He is well respected for being a strong advocate for his clients. Before going into private practice, he was an assistant district attorney in Cumberland County. I did not have the privilege of presiding over one of his cases that went to trial, but his reputation was for being well prepared in all of his cases.”
Mary Ann Tally is another retired Cumberland County Superior Court judge with praise for Byrd as a lawyer with not only legal skills, but with compassion for others.
“Wade has a heart of gold, and always has,” Tally said. “He cares about people, and he would give you the shirt off his back. He is a wonderfully talented lawyer. He has been a really remarkable lawyer, not only here, but statewide. He is always prepared, and he never is a show horse, because he cares for his clients. I can’t say enough about Wade.”
Epilogue
Thursday was another day behind the desk in the historic Sedberry Holmes building Wade Byrd purchased in 1987.
A client was waiting.
Another successful personal injury case was in the books.
“I’ve never done it for notoriety,” Wade Byrd said about his legal career. “I was doing it for the people who needed a voice in the courtroom. When we’re lucky, my reward is seeing the relief in a client’s face, and them knowing their future will be alright financially and somebody fought for them.”
He could have practiced law anywhere, but …
“I love Fayetteville, and this is home,” Byrd said. “And I love what I do.”
Wade Byrd is a lawyer of renown and a lawyer of compassionate heart. And those who have come to know Wade Byrd will say so, too.
Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.
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