Michael E. Wade

born Los Angeles, California

Michael (“Mike”) Wade undertook a unique path to the practice of law and his ultimate partnership with Robert Armstrong and Terry Rowland from 1984 to 2010, when he retired and moved from his Southern California roots to the Pacific Northwest, only to rejoin the firm in 2023, as Of Counsel

In 1966, shortly after graduating high school, Mike enlisted as a medic in the U.S. Army during the height of the Vietnam War.  He was instead selected to the Infantry Officer Candidate School where, upon graduation, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and thereafter promoted to First Lieutenant. Deployed to South Vietnam in 1968 through 1969, he had the honor of serving with the 101st Airborne Division as an Infantry Captain.  He extended his 4-year service commitment for an additional tour and, during that year, he was selected to serve on two Courts-Martial.  Witnessing veteran members of the Army’s Judge Advocates Core rigorously prosecuting and defending murder and rape allegations, Mike’s interest in the law was ignited, causing him to continue his education, obtaining a Bachelor Science Degree from Long Beach State and thereafter his Juris Doctorate from Pepperdine University in 1977.

After joining a boutique transactional and litigation firm in 1977, he met Terry Rowland, who asked that he try some cases with what became Demler, Armstrong & Rowand.  As an equity partner, Mike tried numerous jury trials to verdict, defending both individuals and companies against of allegations of Bad Faith, Personal Injury Negligence, Product Liability, California’s Mobile Home Residency Law, Trademark Infringement; Intentional Interference with Prospective Economic Advantage and Violation of the Rent Stabilization Act, with one such trial lasting over 7 months.  He obtained defense verdicts on hotly contested bad faith and wrongful termination of contract cases, and prevailed in those same actions on cross-complaints for several hundred thousands of dollars.

As lead counsel for various insurance companies, Mike defended over 200 lawsuits alleging Bad Faith following the Northridge Earthquake in both State and Federal Court, during which he was recognized both by the plaintiff bar and Superior Court and Federal District Court Judges as an aggressive advocate, yet a man of his word. 

A Member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, The American Board of Trial Advocates, and even the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Mike was also recognized as a Southern California Super Lawyer for many consecutive years. 

One who saw a need, Mike’s volunteerism had no bounds.  President of various Homeowner Associations in Orange County, he also served as the Chairman of the Board of a large Southern California Church, as well as ultimately being elected by over 700 National youth soccer leaders as the volunteer President of the American Youth Soccer Organization (“AYSO”).  

Experience

Co-authored major tax legislation for the California health care industry

1966-1970 Captain U.S. Army Airborne Infantry

1977 Admitted to California bar

1977-1985 Extensive civil trial and appellate experience, with business and real estate emphasis in Orange County, California

1985 Joined Demler, Armstrong & Rowland

2006-2007 Southern California Super Lawyer, as recognized by Los Angeles Magazine

Member

• American Board of Trial Advocates
• The Million Dollar Advocates Forum
• Orange County Bar Association
• San Diego County Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Association of Southern California Defense Lawyers

Education

1974 Graduated California State University, Long Beach, B.A. Business Management

1977 Graduated Pepperdine University School of Law

1977 Chairman of the Moot Court Honors Board