Zachariah Wade | Black Attorney in St. Petersburg, FL

Attorney Zachariah Wade is an experienced Black attorney in St. Petersburg, not only because of his previous experience working as an Assistant State Attorney in the Pinellas office, but also his deep passion for helping others who are facing a difficult situation. Before graduating from Stetson University College of Law, Wade attended Florida A&M, the largest black college in Florida, with a full scholarship for Political Science. Nearing the end of his time at Florida A&M, he realized that education was always an escape from difficult situations he may be facing at home, and education and justice were highly important to him. Those realizations led him to pursue a law degree. At the Stetson University School of Law, Wade was a member of the #1 Trial Team in the nation, and participated in competitions across the country. Today, he continues in his passion for education and justice by serving as an adjunct professor at the Stetson University School of Law as well as practicing law as a criminal defense attorney in Pinellas County.

Wade’s time at Florida A&M opened him up to his own unique culture, and inspired him to serve the Black community with his work. While Black people are the most impacted by the legal system, Wade believes there is a lack of education in that community regarding how they can find help. His approach to serving the Black community is thus through education While there is a lack of exposure to information about the legal system, there is no lack of information. 

Wade also is familiar with the discrimination that can take place within the legal system, and is dedicated to breaking the stigma surrounding Black attorneys. His passion for serving the community, especially the Black community, is rooted in his dedication to work hard for those who may have been victimized by the legal system. When asked what he believes is the most important message for Black Americans going through the legal system, he states that hiring a lawyer that understands the process and understands you and your background is crucial. 

Aside from his lived experience in the Black community, Wade also has extensive experience as a former Prosecutor. This experience allows him to understand the legal system as well as clients with a unique perspective. His specialty experience includes DUI manslaughter, severe bodily injury, vehicular manslaughter, traffic homicide, domestic violence drug trafficking, murder, sexual battery, and kidnapping. With more than 40 years of experience between the attorneys at The Law Offices of Marc N. Pelletier, P.A., Wade believes that “things are done better here,” and is committed to fighting for justice for individuals of diverse and underrepresented backgrounds.