Wade Davis is a shareholder in Leonard, Street and Deinard’s Mankato office where his practice focuses on litigating and resolving business and employment disputes, and advising employers in employment-related matters. Wade has experience before state and federal judges throughout the region and has successfully represented clients in mediations, arbitrations, administrative proceedings, at trial and on appeal.

Wade has experience litigating a variety of business disputes including claims for breach of contract; disputes between shareholders, board members, officers and key employees of closely held businesses; claims of unfair competition and misappropriation of trade secrets; claims for fraud and breach of fiduciary duty; disputes between commercial landlords and their tenants; franchise disputes; and other contract, statutory and tort claims.

Wade is an MSBA Certified Labor and Employment Law Specialist who represents and advises businesses and key employees in employment-related matters. He regularly defends employers against claims of sexual harassment, and age, gender, race, disability and religious discrimination. He has prosecuted and defended numerous claims for breach of contract, whistleblowing, covenants not to compete, misappropriation of trade secrets, defamation, and other statutory and tort claims. Wade also counsels clients and provides training on areas such as hiring, discrimination and harassment prevention, discipline and termination, and compliance with state and federal statutes.

Wade has been recognized by his peers and selected as a Super Lawyers®–Rising Star.

Professional and Civic Activities

• Federal Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Minnesota State Bar Association
• Iowa State Bar Association
• Board Member, Partnership for Affordable Housing

Wade’s experience covers an array of clients and matters in both business and employment litigation.

Representative Business Litigation

• Represented accountant of family partnership in complex multiparty litigation brought by a family member asserting claims for breach of fiduciary duty, aiding and abetting, and professional malpractice. The trial court dismissed all claims at summary judgment, the Court of Appeals affirmed and the Supreme Court declined to review the appeal.
• Represented commercial landlord whose tenant vacated premises in the second year of a ten-year lease. The tenants’ fraud counterclaim was dismissed and, after arbitration, Wade’s client received, and collected on, a substantial damage award for the entire lease term as well as attorney’s fees.
• Represented equipment manufacturer to prosecute and collect on a claim for substantial non-payment of goods. Successfully defended counterclaims for breach of franchise agreement and related statutes.
• Represented shareholder to prosecute and collect on personal guaranty by fellow shareholders. Successfully defended counterclaims and guided settlement in which the corporation was dissolved.
• Represented bank in complex multiparty litigation arising from failure of major development project.
• Represented commodities broker in multiparty litigation relating to the enforceability of sizeable futures contracts. 
• Represented construction supplier to obtain a judgment and collect against contractor who failed to pay for goods received. Wade’s client collected damages, interest and attorney’s fees.

Representative Employment Litigation

• Defended bottling company sued by former employee for age discrimination. The case was tried in state court and the company prevailed.
• Defended a religious association in action brought by former employee for sexual orientation discrimination. The trial court dismissed the claim at summary judgment, the Court of Appeals affirmed and the Supreme Court declined to review the appeal.
• Represented software company in action brought by former executive who asserted claims for unpaid bonuses and violations of Minnesota’s whistleblower statute. The employee voluntarily dismissed the entire lawsuit after the court dismissed his whistleblower claim.
• Defended telecommunications company sued by former employee for disability discrimination. The employee voluntarily dismissed his claim after summary judgment papers were filed by the employer.
• Represented employee who was sued by his former employer for numerous claims. A favorable settlement was reached after the trial court dismissed employer’s claims for defamation, negligence, breach of duty of good faith and fair dealing.
• Obtained ex parte injunctions in two separate cases where the trial court ordered former employees to surrender their personal computers containing confidential and trade secret information.
• Defended staffing company against claims by former employee for national origin discrimination. The court dismissed all claims on motion.

Wade co-authored "Damages in Business Tort Actions," a chapter in Minnesota Business Torts Deskbook by Minnesota CLE in 2008 and updated in 2009.

Education

• J.D., with high distinction, The University of Iowa College of Law, 2002
       Order of the Coif
• M.A., summa cum laude, Arizona State University, 1996
• B.A., summa cum laude, California State University, Sacramento, 1994

Admissions

• State of Minnesota
• State of Iowa
• U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit