91视频

Law school: Cornell Law School

Career highlight: The Oregon State Bar Association has twice honored Wada, handing him the President鈥檚 Public Service Award in 2007 and its Affirmative Action Award in 2002.

Noteworthy: The United Cerebral Palsy Association of Oregon and Southwest Washington named Wada, a longtime board member, the group鈥檚 Volunteer of the Year in 2006.

Mark Wada majored in business at the University of Oregon, an education that has since served him well in his legal representation of banks, commercial lenders, private equity funds, equipment lessors and other financial service providers. When he weighed a career in business against working as a lawyer, however, there was little indecision.

鈥淚 decided law was a better option for me for a lot of different reasons, including that you could put down roots in a community and practice in an area that you could be a part of,鈥� he said.

A 1978 graduate of Cornell Law School, Wada has gained broad experience in handling corporate and commercial law matters with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions. An Oregon Super Lawyer for six straight years, Wada was recognized by Best Lawyers in America as this year鈥檚 Portland Lawyer of the Year for banking and finance.

Wada also has received the Oregon State Bar鈥檚 2007 President鈥檚 Public Service Award and 2002 Affirmative Action Award. The Multnomah Bar Association honored him in 2002 with its annual Professionalism Award.

His volunteer work includes serving as a board member for the Campaign for Equal Justice. Wada said he believes it is every lawyer鈥檚 obligation to support access to justice.

鈥淚t鈥檚 one of the most basic legal principles, and I think that it is incredibly important to our society and to our legal system that people have access to the courts and are able to redress wrongs,鈥� he said. 鈥淚f we disenfranchise a large portion of the population, I think we鈥檙e going to have worse problems than we have already.鈥�

In 2006, the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Oregon and Southwest Washington presented Wada, a longtime board member, with its Volunteer of the Year Award. The father of two daughters, including an adult daughter with cerebral palsy, Wada said it鈥檚 an honor he holds close to his heart.