Earlier this year at a gathering in Raleigh's Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, after the funeral services of Wade's dear brother Roger, I saw Ann Smith, who spoke to me, introducing me to someone with the general words of "this is Jim Blackburn. He and Wade have so many stories, they can go on and on."

That story began for me in the spring of 1979, when Wade was co-counsel to Jeffrey MacDonald, and I was on the other side. From that moment on, like so many others, I was taken with the charm, wit, personality and just interesting person that was Wade Smith.

In the years that followed, we tried cases against each other, with each other, and then finally, I was his client as well as the client of my good friend, Rick Gammon.

This is one of those podcast interviews where you can just sit back, relax and enjoy story telling at its best.

From the beginnings of the law firm where he has practiced since 1964, to the high-profile cases he participated in, to other cases, not as well known, but still very important, to his philosophy in how to be a good lawyer, Wade takes you inside and tells you all about it.

But law is not all that Wade does. He sings, plays the guitar, writes much of the content of the Christmas cards he and Ann send every year, paints, loves photography, and yes, was once a great running back for the football team at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

He truly is a legendary lawyer with a passion for life. I hope you will enjoy the time you spend with him.