Allan Wade, the veteran lawyer who represents the Memphis City Council, among other clients, is a glib talker, both in the courtroom and out, as he indicated once again in a hearing Tuesday in the courtroom of Chancellor Jim Kyle and afterward.
Allan Wade
The hearing concerned a request by several plaintiffs attempting to halt the council’s proposed use of city funds to launch a “public information” campaign in favor of three referenda on the November 6th ballot. Wade argued vigorously against the suit and was gratified when the Chancellor went on to rule that the issue was not “ripe” for judgment.
Wade was explaining as much to a reporter in the hallway of the Courthouse after the hearing when John Marek, also a lawyer and one of the plaintiffs, passed by, muttering something about “corruption.” Wade instantly shifted gears, responding “Kiss my ass,” and then continuing with his exegesis of what he saw as the relevant legal issues in the case.
The outburst was a reminder of another reported incident in the council chambers when, after a meeting, several attendees expressed criticism of an action taken by Wade in his role as attorney for the council. One of them, Theron Bond, said Wade responded with a profane threat, and another, Carlos Ochoa, who was attempting to make a video of the exchange, said Wade called him a “punk.”