Len A. Wade
Practice Areas
Experience
- Arbitration
- Business Litigation
- Energy Litigation
- Healthcare Litigation
Biography
Len A. Wade is a partner in Jackson Walker’s Litigation group. He has a prominent practice focused on complex litigation, mediation, and arbitration. Len has been an accomplished mediator for over 20 years. He trained with Attorney-Mediators Institute in Dallas and is a member of the Association of Attorney Mediators. He also holds membership in the commercial panel of neutrals for the American Arbitration Association and has been a Barrister of the Eldon B. Mahon Inn of Court, a member of the Business Torts Subcommittee of the Litigation Section of the American Bar Association and a member of the planning board for the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee of the Young Lawyers’ Division of the ABA.
Len served as judge of the 141st District Court of the State of Texas from January of 2003 through February of 2009, during which he presided over numerous jury trials, nonjury trials, and contested hearings. Before taking the seat as a district judge, he represented both plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal court litigation, including business torts, contract claims, employment matters, and insurance coverage disputes.
Education
B.A., summa cum laude, Abilene Christian University
J.D., cum laude, Baylor University School of Law
- Baylor Law Review, Executive Editor
- President’s Award
- 1985 TYLA Moot Court Team
Bar Admissions
Texas
Court Admissions
United States District Courts for the Eastern and Northern Districts of Texas
Len has represented a cross-section of individuals and companies in pursuing and defending a variety of claims in complex matters, including:
- Defending an energy company in a title dispute in two parallel New Mexico state court cases;
- Representing specialty physicians in a derivative suit and fraud suit against the managing partner of the practice in American Health Lawyers Association arbitration;
- Defending a manufacturing company in nuisance suits arising from a plant explosion;
- Representing a landowner in litigation with an adjacent property owner in an easement dispute;
- Serving as trial counsel for appellate matters in major trials (significant motions, expert challenges, charge-related issues and post-verdict motion practice);
- Representing employers and employees in various types of employment matters; and
- Representing financial institutions in various types of disputes.
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Arbitration, 2019-2025
- Texas Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2020-2024
- “Top Attorneys” List – Arbitration and Mediation, 360 West Magazine, 2017-2022
- “Top Attorneys” List – Alternative Dispute Resolution and Commercial Litigation, Fort Worth Magazine, 2012-2013, 2017, 2019-2020, 2022-2023
- Rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell “Peer Review Rated”
- Listed in Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers prior to judicial election
Publications
- “Do the Eyes Have It? Psychological Testimony Regarding Eyewitness Accuracy”, 38 Baylor L. Rev. 169, 1986
Speeches
- “Challenging Experts in Texas State Courts,” Austin College – 2010 Law Symposium, Sherman, February 2010
- “Getting the Charge You Want, and Arguing It to the Jury,” Texas Bar CLE Trial of a Fiduciary Litigation Case Course, Fredericksburg, December 2009
- “Discrimination and Retaliation Claims,” Tarrant County Bar Association Employment Section, August 2009
- Speeches to Tarrant County Bar Association Employment Section, Tarrant County Trial Lawyers Association, and Dallas Bar Association Business Litigation Section, 2004-2007
- Tarrant County Bar Association
- Business Litigation Section Board of Directors, Chair, 2022-2023
- Judicial Evaluation Committee, Member, 2019-2022
- Business Litigation Section, Program Director, 2019
- Dallas Bar Association, Business Litigation Section Council, 2023
- Association of Attorney Mediators
- Abilene Christian University, Board of Visitors and University Council
- Eldon B. Mahon Inn of Court, Former Barrister
- Fort Worth Christian School, Trustee
- Pepperdine University School of Law, Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Adjunct Professor
September 17, 2024
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2024
Jackson Walker proudly announces the selection of 71 attorneys to Thomson Reuters’ 2024 “Texas Super Lawyers” list.
Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.
August 15, 2024
Attorney News
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 306 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2025 Edition, Including 9 “Lawyers of the Year” and 75 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 306 Jackson Walker attorneys across 81 specialty practice areas in its 2025 edition, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 75 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (75 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (55 attorneys) and the addition of 27 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
December 12, 2023
Attorney News
‘Fort Worth Magazine’ Lists 16 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among the “Top Attorneys” of 2023
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of 16 Fort Worth-based attorneys to Fort Worth Magazine’s “Top Attorneys” list for 2023. To be selected for inclusion, attorneys with an active license and who practice within the Tarrant County area must be nominated by their peers within the region. The list of nominees then goes through a “rigorous panel review to assure the highest of quality is met.”
September 19, 2023
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2023
Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.
August 17, 2023
Attorney News
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 287 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2024 Edition, Including 12 “Lawyers of the Year” and 80 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 287 Jackson Walker attorneys across 5 offices and 82 specialty practice areas in its 2024 edition, including 12 Lawyers of the Year and 80 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (66 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (60 attorneys) and the addition of 35 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
February 1, 2023
Attorney News
‘Fort Worth Magazine’ Lists 16 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among the “Top Attorneys” of 2022
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of 16 Fort Worth-based attorneys to Fort Worth Magazine’s “Top Attorneys” list for 2022.
January 24, 2023
Attorney News
Len Wade Elected to Dallas Bar Association Business Litigation Section Council
Len Wade has been elected to serve as a member of the 2023 Council for the Business Litigation Section of the Dallas Bar Association. He will serve in this role in addition to his role as Chair of the Tarrant County Bar Association Business Litigation Section.
September 21, 2022
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 64 “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2022
Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.
August 30, 2022
Attorney News
Len Wade Named Chair of Tarrant County Bar Association Business Litigation Section
Len Wade was elected Chair of the Tarrant County Bar Association Business Litigation Section. Previously, Len served a three-year term on the Judicial Evaluation Committee and was the program director for the Business Litigation Section.
August 18, 2022
Attorney News
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 214 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2023 Edition, Including 11 “Lawyers of the Year” and 41 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 214 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 79 specialty practice areas in its 2023 edition, including 11 Lawyers of the Year and 41 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.
Spotlight
Shari Waldrop, et al. v. Magnablend (Ellis County District Court). First chair trial counsel for manufacturing company in a six week trial resulting in a favorable outcome.
- Presided over numerous complex trials and pretrial disputes as judge of the 141st District Court from 2003-2009
- Mediated over 500 cases, including commercial, employment and personal injury disputes
- Successfully arbitrated numerous commercial, construction and employment disputes
- Nearburg Exploration Co. v. COG Operating, LLC (New Mexico State Court). Lead counsel for Defendant in two parallel state court proceedings resolved on favorable terms after significant pretrial activity.
- Next Generation Technologies, Inc. v. TechPlan, Inc. (Tarrant County District Court). Lead counsel for Defendant in multimillion dollar antitrust and breach of contract case. Obtained summary judgment which was affirmed on appeal.
- Kevin Hopfel v. Chesapeake Energy (Johnson County District Court). Co-counsel in successful defense of oil field injury claim.
- Zimmerer Kubota v. U-Haul (Tarrant County District Court). Co-counsel for Plaintiff who obtained a favorable judgment for landowner client in easement dispute with neighboring property owner.
- TV Host, Inc. v. TV Listing, Inc, et al. (Tarrant County District Court). Lead counsel for Plaintiff in dispute with departing officer who started a competing business. Case resolved in a favorable manner after injunction hearing.
- Penguin Leasing Company v. James Larussa (Dallas County District Court). Lead counsel for Plaintiff who prevailed on breach of fiduciary duty and breach of contract claims.
- Pension Planning Associates v. Owen Schmidt (Tarrant County Court at Law). Lead counsel for Plaintiff who prevailed in claims against former employee who started a competing business in violation of various agreements.
- Tandy Corporation v. American International Group, Inc., et al. (United States District Court, Northern District of Texas). Co-counsel in successful first-party insurance claim based upon damages arising from plant riots in Masan, South Korea.
Practice Experience
Len has represented a cross-section of individuals and companies in pursuing and defending a variety of claims in complex matters, including:
- Defending an energy company in a title dispute in two parallel New Mexico state court cases;
- Representing specialty physicians in a derivative suit and fraud suit against the managing partner of the practice in American Health Lawyers Association arbitration;
- Defending a manufacturing company in nuisance suits arising from a plant explosion;
- Representing a landowner in litigation with an adjacent property owner in an easement dispute;
- Serving as trial counsel for appellate matters in major trials (significant motions, expert challenges, charge-related issues and post-verdict motion practice);
- Representing employers and employees in various types of employment matters; and
- Representing financial institutions in various types of disputes.
Recognition & Accolades
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Arbitration, 2019-2025
- Texas Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2020-2024
- “Top Attorneys” List – Arbitration and Mediation, 360 West Magazine, 2017-2022
- “Top Attorneys” List – Alternative Dispute Resolution and Commercial Litigation, Fort Worth Magazine, 2012-2013, 2017, 2019-2020, 2022-2023
- Rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell “Peer Review Rated”
- Listed in Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers prior to judicial election
Publications & Speeches
Publications
- “Do the Eyes Have It? Psychological Testimony Regarding Eyewitness Accuracy”, 38 Baylor L. Rev. 169, 1986
Speeches
- “Challenging Experts in Texas State Courts,” Austin College – 2010 Law Symposium, Sherman, February 2010
- “Getting the Charge You Want, and Arguing It to the Jury,” Texas Bar CLE Trial of a Fiduciary Litigation Case Course, Fredericksburg, December 2009
- “Discrimination and Retaliation Claims,” Tarrant County Bar Association Employment Section, August 2009
- Speeches to Tarrant County Bar Association Employment Section, Tarrant County Trial Lawyers Association, and Dallas Bar Association Business Litigation Section, 2004-2007
Community Involvement
- Tarrant County Bar Association
- Business Litigation Section Board of Directors, Chair, 2022-2023
- Judicial Evaluation Committee, Member, 2019-2022
- Business Litigation Section, Program Director, 2019
- Dallas Bar Association, Business Litigation Section Council, 2023
- Association of Attorney Mediators
- Abilene Christian University, Board of Visitors and University Council
- Eldon B. Mahon Inn of Court, Former Barrister
- Fort Worth Christian School, Trustee
- Pepperdine University School of Law, Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Adjunct Professor
Career Highlights
Spotlight
Shari Waldrop, et al. v. Magnablend (Ellis County District Court). First chair trial counsel for manufacturing company in a six week trial resulting in a favorable outcome.
- Presided over numerous complex trials and pretrial disputes as judge of the 141st District Court from 2003-2009
- Mediated over 500 cases, including commercial, employment and personal injury disputes
- Successfully arbitrated numerous commercial, construction and employment disputes
- Nearburg Exploration Co. v. COG Operating, LLC (New Mexico State Court). Lead counsel for Defendant in two parallel state court proceedings resolved on favorable terms after significant pretrial activity.
- Next Generation Technologies, Inc. v. TechPlan, Inc. (Tarrant County District Court). Lead counsel for Defendant in multimillion dollar antitrust and breach of contract case. Obtained summary judgment which was affirmed on appeal.
- Kevin Hopfel v. Chesapeake Energy (Johnson County District Court). Co-counsel in successful defense of oil field injury claim.
- Zimmerer Kubota v. U-Haul (Tarrant County District Court). Co-counsel for Plaintiff who obtained a favorable judgment for landowner client in easement dispute with neighboring property owner.
- TV Host, Inc. v. TV Listing, Inc, et al. (Tarrant County District Court). Lead counsel for Plaintiff in dispute with departing officer who started a competing business. Case resolved in a favorable manner after injunction hearing.
- Penguin Leasing Company v. James Larussa (Dallas County District Court). Lead counsel for Plaintiff who prevailed on breach of fiduciary duty and breach of contract claims.
- Pension Planning Associates v. Owen Schmidt (Tarrant County Court at Law). Lead counsel for Plaintiff who prevailed in claims against former employee who started a competing business in violation of various agreements.
- Tandy Corporation v. American International Group, Inc., et al. (United States District Court, Northern District of Texas). Co-counsel in successful first-party insurance claim based upon damages arising from plant riots in Masan, South Korea.