Mike Wells
Principal and Partner
Mike Wells has been a trusted advisor to clients for over 30 years. He concentrates his practice in the areas of estate planning, estate administration, elder law planning, complex civil litigation, workers' compensation, personal injury and fiduciary litigation.
He also has advised many different businesses and individuals on a range of legal issues. He is the recipient of numerous accolades as a lawyer and an engaged community servant worthy of the trust and confidence clients and citizens place in him.
Education
- Wake Forest University School of Law, J.D.
- Member, Wake Forest Law Review
- University of Virginia, Bachelor of Arts
Bar Admissions
- North Carolina, 1974
- West Virginia, 1975
- United States Supreme Court
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina
Areas of Practice
- Estate Planning and Estate Administration
- Elder Law Planning
- Complex Civil Litigation
- Workers' Compensation
- Personal Injury
- Fiduciary Litigation
Recognitions
- North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society, Supreme Court of North Carolina (2020)
- Best Lawyers in America, Estate Planning and Personal Injury (2017-2021)
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent® rating, 15+ years
- Top 100 North Carolina Super Lawyers® (2007)
- North Carolina Super Lawyers® (multiple years)
- North Carolina Bar Association Citizen Lawyer (2007 – inaugural year)
- American Bar Foundation fellow (recognition of outstanding achievements, dedication to the welfare of the community and highest principle of the legal profession)
- Triad Business Magazine Most Influential People in the Triad (multiple years)
Professional Activities
- North Carolina Bar Association/North Carolina Bar Foundation (president, 2012-2013; president-elect, 2011-2012)
- NCBA Board of Governors (2007-2011)
- Inaugural (and youngest) member of the North Carolina Bar Association Task Force on Alternatives to Litigation, which led to mandatory mediation in civil litigation matters (1985-1987)
- NCBA Estate Planning & Fiduciary Law section and Elder & Special Needs Law section member
- North Carolina State Bar
- Ethics Committee (1994-2000)
- Forsyth County Bar Association
- Forsyth County Young Lawyers Association (president, 1982-1983)
- Forsyth County Bar Association (vice-president, 1984-1985)
- Wake Forest School of Law adjunct professor (multiple years)
Community and State
- Leadership North Carolina (2007 – inaugural class)
- Leadership Winston-Salem (1989-1990)
- Reynolda Rotary (president, 1989-1990)
- Paul Harris Fellow Recognition for service to the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, awarded by Reynolda Rotary
- Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce (president, 2004)
- Chamber of Commerce/Duke Energy Citizenship & Service Award (2007)
- United Way Community Campaign (chairman, 2006)
- United Way Chairman's Award for leadership, service and commitment to the United Way, in honor of the state's most successful community campaign (2006)
- United Way President Search Committee (chairman, 2008-2009)
- United Way board member (chairman, 2008-2009)
- United Way Paul Fulton Tocqueville Leadership Service Award (2011)
- Forsyth Tech Board of Trustees (1994-2006)
- Forsyth Tech Foundation (1997-2004; president, 2000-2001)
- Downtown YMCA board member (chairman)
- Wake Forest University Planned Giving Council, past president
- North Carolina Department of Transportation board member (2018-2019)
- North Carolina Baptist Hospital Board of Trustees (2005-2008, 2010-2013, 2015-2019)
- North Carolina Baptist Medical Center Board (2012-2013)
- Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center Research Park Board (2010-2013)
- Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center Academic Affairs Committee (2011-2013)
- First Baptist Church (deacon, 1984- 2001; board chairman, 2000-2001; chairman of pastor selection committee, 1991-1992)
- First Baptist Church Sunday school teacher (youth classes, 1979-1985; adult classes, 1985-2000)
- Ardmore Baptist Church Sunday school teacher (adult classes, 2003-present)
- WS Business, Inc. board member (multiple years)
- WS Alliance board member (multiple years)
- Author of 200 "On the Way to the Courthouse" essays, published in State Bar and Lawyers Weekly and on National Public Radio; recent recognition by publishing company
- Host of weekly public service call-in show, "You and the Law," on WSJS 600 AM (1991-2016)
- Author of monthly column on legal issues for the Winston-Salem Journal (2003-present)
- Author of 25 manuscripts and speaker for Continuing Legal Education seminars across North Carolina and South Carolina
- On the Way to the Courthouse (2012)
- Requested speaker at over 50 bodies of faith, 35 business and professional organizations, and various charities and support groups
