Attorney Wade Byrd, Law Offices of Wade E. Byrd, P.A., Fayetteville, North Carolina

Wade E. Byrd
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Lead Lawyer
phone	(910) 401-3590 (866) 508-3689 (Toll Free)
fax	(910) 323-9694
email	Email Me

Wade E. Byrd has nearly thirty years of legal experience helping clients in all types of cases with personal care and attention. Before opening the doors of his own law firm, he was employed as the Assistant District Attorney in Cumberland County from 1973-1977, serving as the Senior Trial Assistant from 1975-1977. In 1977, Mr. Byrd joined the law firm of Berry, Caudle, & Byrd. That firm became known as Berry & Byrd in 1986, and then The Law Offices of Wade Byrd in 1996. Mr. Byrd has extensive litigation and trial experience, and has focused his practice on serious medical malpractice, personal injury, and other complex tort litigation. Mr. Byrd is admitted to practice in all North Carolina State Courts, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.

Mr. Byrd received his law degree from Wake Forest University in 1973 and his undergraduate degree from Methodist College in 1970. He is a member in good standing of the American Bar Association, the American Board of Trial Advocates, the American College of Trial Lawyers, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, the Civil Justice Foundation, the Cumberland County Bar Association, the International Society of Barristers, the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, the North Carolina State Bar Association, served on the North Carolina Health Planning Commission in 1998, the Roscoe Pound Foundation, Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, and the Wake Forest Alumni Council. He is also a member of Fayetteville Academy, the Fayetteville Kiwanis Club, the Key Club, Methodist College Board of Trustees, and the United Way.

Mr. Byrd was the 2001 recipient of the Walter Clark Award from the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers and is listed in "The Best Lawyers in America" and the "Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers." He is the past president of the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers. He has published "In the Wake of Haslip: Punitive Damage Jury Instructions and Post-Verdict Reviews of Awards in North Carolina, TrialBriefs Vol. 24, No. 3, and is a frequent lecturer on a variety of legal topics such as:

Dealing with Juries - To Use or Not to Use an Expert and Alternatives to Hiring an Expert, 1989

Professional Negligence - Discovery and Proof of the Applicable Standard of Care, 1990

Damages - Economics of Catastrophic Injuries, 1991

Practical Trial Skills - Making the Most of Exhibits in Civil and Criminal Cases, 1992

Two Hot Topics: Punitive Damages in North Carolina and Winning at Mediation, Program Chair, 1993

Litigating and Recovering Punitive Damages - Shouldering the New Burdens of Proof to Obtain Punitives, 1995

Medical Malpractice, Pre-Screening and Case Selections: Which Frogs are Really Princes? 1996

The People's Choice Seminar: Winning Wrongful Death Closing Arguments, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1996

Picking the Jury, Seminar Speaker - Jury Selection, 1997

Seminar Speaker: Summation by the Masters, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1997

Personal Injury Cases - Jury Selection, 1998

Effectively Handling Wrongful Death Cases - Opening Statements & Closing Arguments, 1999

Panel Discussion - Attorney and Insurer Perspectives regarding the Standard of Medical Care, WFU Law Symposium, April 2002

Mr. Byrd has an impressive history of success over the years and has obtained the following verdicts and settlements on behalf of his clients:

Confidential settlement in 2001: $15.0 million involving a 38 year-old African American male who was left a ventilator dependant quadriplegic as a result of his neck being broken during an intubation.

Confidential settlement in 1996: $12.5 million involving a suicide.

Gaston County: $10.75 million settlement with physicians and hospital in case involving an infant that had suffered permanent brain injuries at birth.

Mecklenburg County: $8.1 million wrongful death verdict in case involving an outpatient suicide. This represents the highest verdict in the United States in a suicide case.

Guilford County: $7.1 million verdict represented the first medical malpractice verdict in Guilford County, the highest medical malpractice verdict in North Carolina, at that time, and the second highest punitive damages verdict in the state

Confidential settlement in 2001: $4.5 million involving a child who suffered significant brain injury as a result of medical treatment received for a heart condition.

Cumberland County: $3.5 million verdict involving an infant that had suffered permanent brain injuries.

Confidential settlement in 2001: $3.25 million for the wrongful death of a 46 year-old husband and father of 4 children who died due to a failure to see and appreciate a brain aneurysm by a radiologist performing an MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiogram).

Confidential settlement in 2002: $2.3 million for the wrongful death of a 38 year-old, wife and mother of 2 children who died following routine thyroidectomy.

Cumerland County: $1.5 million settlement in a car accident involving a 31 year-old wife and mother of 2 children which resulted in a closed-head injury and permanent brain damage.

Macon County: $800,000 wrongful death verdict in case involving throat cancer

Wade E. Byrd has settled dozens of other cases in excess of $1 million

Areas of Practice:: Medical Malpractice; Personal Injury -- Plaintiff

Litigation Percentage:: 100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions:: North Carolina, 1973; U.S. District Court Eastern District of North Carolina, 1978; U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 1982; U.S. Supreme Court, 1999

Education:: Wake Forest University School of Law, Winston Salem, North Carolina, 1973
J.D.
Honors: Justice Moot Court, 1972-73
Honors: Instructor, 1st Year Bibliography-Appellate Brief Writing & Argument, 1972; Methodist College, Fayetteville, North Carolina, 1970
B.A.
Major: Political Science

Published Works:: In the Wake of Haslip: Punitive Damage Jury Instructions and Post-Verdict Reviews of Awards in North Carolina, Vol. 24 Trial Briefs No. 3

Classes/Seminars Taught:: Dealing With Juries: To Use or Not To Use an Expert and Alternatives to Hiring an Expert, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1989; Program Chair, Insurance Law, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1990; Advanced Personal Injury Law: Demonstrative Evidence, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1990; Practical Trial Skills: Making the Most of Exhibits in Civil and Criminal Cases, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1990; Professional Negligence: Discovery and Proof of the Applicable Standard of Care, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1990; Practical Trial Skills, Making the Most of Exhibits in Civil and Criminal Cases, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1991; Damages: Economics of Catastrophic Injuries, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1991; Personal Injury Law: THE SLAM DUNK: Winning Opening Statements, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1992; Practical Trial Skills: Making the Most of Exhibits in Civil and Criminal Cases, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1992; Trial Advocacy Clinic: GENERAL SESSION: Exhibits and Demonstrative Evidence, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1992; Program Chair, Two Hot Topics: Punitive Damages in NC and Winning at Mediation, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1993; Practical Trial Skills: Making the Most of Exhibits in Civil and Criminal Cases, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1993; Expert Witnesses: Medical Witnesses in Medical Malpractice Cases, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1993; Alternative Dispute Resolution: Simulated Mediation of a Products Liability Case, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1995; Wrongful Death: Closing Argument: For the Plaintiff, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1995; Litigating and Recovering Punitive Damages: Shouldering the New Burdens of Proof to Obtain Punitives, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1995; National College of Advocacy: Dynamic Demonstrative Evidence, American Association for Justice, February 9, 1996; Seminar Speaker: All-Star Trial of a Civil Case, North Carolina Bar Foundation, March 29, 1996; Medical Malpractice: Pre-Screening and Case Selections: Which Frogs are Really Princes?, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1996; The People's Choice Seminar: Winning Wrongful Death Closing Arguments, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1996; 32nd Annual Convention: Jury Selection Demonstration; Send-Off Address as Incoming President, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1996; National College of Advocacy: Dynamic Demonstrative Evidence, Association of Trail Lawyers of America, February 7, 1997; 33rd Annual Convention: Send-Off Address as Outgoing President, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1997; Seminar Speaker - Jury Selection Demonstration: Picking the Jury, Hillsboro/Wilmington, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1997; Seminar Speaker: Summation by the Masters, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1997; Medical Negligence: Examination of the Medical Expert: For the Plaintiff, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1997; Legal Issues: 1998 Update, ECU School of Medicine 20th Annual Health Law Forum (CME), September 16, 1998; Personal Injury Case: Jury Selection, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1998; Effectively Handling Wrongful Death Cases: Opening Statements & Closing Arguments, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1999; Medicine on Trial: Experts, The Bar & The Bench on Hot Topics In Medical Evidence, Autopsies as Evidence: Cross-Examining the Medical Examiner, North Carolina Bar Foundation, May 26, 1999; Overcoming Juror Bias: Overcoming Juror Biases in Jury Selection, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 2003; Civil Procedure Seminar: Trial and Judgment, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 2003; Mediation and Settlement: Conducting the Mediation, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 2003

Honors and Awards:: American College of Trial Lawyers (Fellow); International Society of Barristers; American Board of Trial Advocates; The Best Lawyers in America; Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers; Methodist College Outstanding Alumnus of the Year: 2001; Outstanding President, Fayetteville Kiwanis Club; Supporting Fellow, The Roscoe Pound Foundation

Professional Associations and Memberships:: American Bar Association; Member; American Board of Trial Advocates; Member; American Association for Justice; Sustaining Member; American Association for Justice, 1999 - 2000; State Delegate; American Association for Justice, 1998 - 1999; Member, Committee on Key Persons; American Association for Justice, 1998 - 1999; Member, ATLA List Advisory Committee; American Association for Justice, 1998 - 1999; Member, PAC Task Force; American Association for Justice, 1997 - 1999; Member, Committee on Elections; American Association for Justice, 1996 - 1999; Member, Committee on Bar Liaison; American Association for Justice, 1996 - 1997; Member, Council of Presidents; Civil Justice Foundation, 1997 - 2000; Member, Board of Trustees; Cumberland County Bar Association; Member; International Society of Barristers; Member; North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1999 - 2000; Chair, Committee on Endowment; North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1999 - 2000; Chair, Committee on Political Action; North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1999 - 2000; Member, Board of Governors; North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1998 - 1999; Member, Legislative Committee; North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1997 - 1998; Immediate Past President; North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1996 - 1997; President; North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1995 - 1996; President Elect; North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1992 - 1995; Legislative Vice-President; North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1992 - 1994; Co-Chair, Committee on Political Action; North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers; Trustee, Committee on Political Action; North Carolina State Bar; Member; Trial Lawyers for Public Justice; Member; Fayetteville Academy, 1988 - 1991; Chairman, Board of Directors; Fayetteville Academy, 1986 - 1988; Member, Board of Directors; Fayetteville Kiwanis Club; Member; Fayetteville Kiwanis Club, 1984 - 1985; Outstanding President; Key Club, International; Honorary Member; Methodist College, 1997 - 2000; Member, Board of Trustees; United Way-Cumberland County, 1997 - 1998; Chair, Lawyers Division; Wake Forest University Law Alumni Council, 1998 - Present; Member, President-Elect 2002 - 2003; Wake Forest University President's Club; Member; Wake Forest University Deacon Club; Member

Past Employment Positions:: Cumberland County Assistant District Attorney, Senior Trial Assistant, 1975 - 1977; Berry, Caudle & Byrd, 1977 - 1986; Berry & Byrd, 1986 - 1996

Fraternities/Sororities:: Phi Delta Phi