Claims, Concerts, and Metallica: Getting to Know Wayne Stephenson

With over three decades at Lawyers Mutual, Wayne Stephenson has built a career helping lawyers navigate some of their most challenging moments — while shaping how real estate claims are resolved. Outside the office, his passion for Metallica has become a meaningful part of his life.

We sat down with Wayne to hear his unique story of professional dedication, resilience, and a deep appreciation for music as both an outlet and a celebration of life.

OPENING/ BACKGROUND

How long have you been with Lawyers Mutual, and what first brought you into the world of legal malpractice claims?

I’ve been with LM twice (as have several others). I first came on board in late 1989, left for a couple of years around 1997, then returned in 1999 and have been here ever since. I came from a residential real estate practice in Raleigh/Durham, followed by a couple of years with a title company. I think it’s been about 34 years combined so far. It all started with answering an ad in the Wake County Bar newsletter.

For those who may not know you well, how would you describe your role as a claims attorney and what you enjoy most about the work?

I’ve always loved real estate, especially residential. It’s one of the few times folks need an attorney for something positive in their lives as they obtain the American Dream. I enjoy helping “my people” when they are facing a problem, which “Type A” personalities often have a hard time handling. I can’t imagine dealing with the stress of private practice real estate now, with all the wire fraud exposure.

When I got to LM in 1989, subrogation claims from the title insurance companies were never settled and were always litigated. I think my biggest contribution to LM and the real estate bar was convincing both insurance industries that it was in their economic interests to reach a middle ground and settle these matters without our insureds ending up in a lawsuit.

I now handle domestic matters as well, so I’m starting to learn a new area of the law later in my career.

DISCOVERING METALLICA

Let’s talk about Metallica. When did you first discover the band?

My first album at age 12 in eighth grade was Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid”, so I’ve always been attracted to heavier rock and metal. Although I listened to Metallica over the years, it wasn’t until 2009 that I really became a fan after my son Taylor suggested our first Metallica concert in Charlotte to help release the negative energy of a divorce. It worked. Now, attending a Metallica concert is as much about celebrating being alive as it is releasing negative energy.

Do you remember the first Metallica song or album that really hooked you?

It’s probably that 2009 concert in Charlotte when I was exhausted but thrilled at the end of the show. What was cool about that show was that our entire row was made up of dads and sons.

What is it about Metallica’s music that resonates with you the most?

Early on, it was a way to release negative energy in a positive way. Over the years, it has become a way to celebrate being alive. I may be one of the oldest at any given show, but I’m going down headbanging.

THE SUPER FAN EXPERIENCE

You’re part of Metallica’s elite fan club. How did you become a member, and what makes that community special?

Heavy metal fans generally are loners, usually by choice, and are very independent and individualistic. The fan club is more about bringing these folks together to realize there are others like them out there. Metallica fans view themselves as family more than a fan club.

What kinds of benefits or experiences come with being part of that fan club?

Metallica recognizes their hardcore fans by giving them a head start on ticket purchases before the public. As a “legacy” member (aka old timer), I get early access even among the fan club. We get discounts on merchandise. However, it’s the feeling of family and community that’s the greatest benefit. I now have friends from Norway, Quebec, the Bahamas, Australia, Colombia, and all over the USA.

Has being in the fan club changed the way you experience concerts or interact with other fans?

The fan club almost always has a pre-concert get-together, usually the day before a show. It’s very much a family reunion with folks from around the world. It was a lot of fun to help put together the fan club party when Metallica played Raleigh a few years ago. The fan club is broken down into smaller geographic fan clubs, and we are active members of “Creeping Carolinas.”

What I’ve really enjoyed, though, is being active in Metallica’s charity organization, “All Within My Hands”. Taylor and I have worked with food banks in Raleigh and Charlotte. I’ve participated in their blood drives several times. May is usually the Club’s “Month of Giving”.

The organization focuses on disaster relief, hunger, and scholarships for trades/blue collar professions. This includes scholarships for medical-related occupations at Central Piedmont Community College as well as aviation manufacturing at Guilford Technical Community College.

When Hurricane Helene hit Western NC, I reached out to AWMH to see if they could help and was told that at that very moment, the Board of Directors was discussing providing aid. AWMH donated $100,000, split evenly between Jose Andres’ World Central Kitchen (providing meals for Helene’s victims) and emergency clean-up crews (which could respond faster than services that went through FEMA).

CONCERT ADVENTURES

Do you have a favorite concert or moment that stands out among all the shows you’ve attended?

During the “Hardwired” tour, Metallica requested fans to submit art that would be used as part of the stage production during one song each night. The band selected my portrait of James Hetfield, singer and guitarist, to use in the show. My painting has traveled throughout Europe and North America. It was a special night to see my favorite band in my hometown, as my kids got to see their dad’s artwork as part of the show. It made me feel validated as a self-taught artist.

Metallica singer James Hetfield with an image of Wayne Stephenson's art on the Jumbotron. — Metallica’s Jame’s Hetfield with Wayne’s color portrait of him in background.

Another favorite moment was getting “chills” as Metallica played “No Leaf Clover” with the San Francisco Symphony, like my reaction to hearing Paul McCartney singing “Yesterday” live for the first time.

How many times have you seen Metallica live?

Twenty so far, with tickets to three more shows later this year and early 2027.

FAMILY CONNECTION

You’ve sometimes traveled with your adult son to see the band. What has it been like sharing that experience together?

If you are familiar with the reality show from a few years back starring Ozzy Osbourne and his son, Jack, called “Ozzy and Jack’s World Tour,” showcasing their father/son trips, then you’ve seen our role models.

Do the two of you have favorite songs or concert memories from those trips?

Playing their instruments in Atlanta and LA. Meeting two of the band members in Columbia, SC. Hearing them play with the Symphony in San Francisco, where we also visited their headquarters and their rental house before they became famous. Attending their 40^th anniversary shows in San Francisco. Our first time in the “snake pit” in LA with the band playing directly above us where I was briefly “headbanging” beside Jason Momoa. Having Kirk Hammett & James Hetfield play the guitar solo of “Master of Puppets” directly above us in the Charlotte “snake pit” for my 67^th birthday. Giving advice to young parents with their kids in Tampa on how best to become “pick magnets”, including James personally handing a pick and talking to a little fellow at the end of the show. Attending the invitation-only concert for 300 folks in the Hamptons last Labor Day, outside, under a tent where we were on the rail and just a few feet away from Paul McCartney, who had his cellphone out just like we did. Several charity fundraiser concerts in LA, where half the show is acoustic, with songs they’ve never played live before.

MUSIC AND WORK-LIFE BALANCE

Your work often involves helping lawyers through difficult situations. Does music—Metallica or otherwise—play a role in how you relax or recharge?

It is probably more of a way to connect with insureds and defense counsel who secretly admit to being Metallica fans as well. North Carolina barbeque serves the same purpose.

Is there a Metallica song that feels like a personal anthem or favorite?

When I was going through a rough period in my life, the lyrics of “Broken, Beat & Scarred” spoke to me. “You rise, you fall, you’re down, then you rise again. What don’t kill you makes you more strong.”

FUN/PERSONAL

If someone new to Metallica asked you where to start, which three songs would you recommend?

For a beginner, “Enter Sandman” is a good introduction. Next would be my two favorites, “Master of Puppets” and “One”. As far as live performance, “Creeping Death” always gets the crowd jumping.

Have you ever met any of the band members?

Taylor and I met Kirk Hammett, the lead guitarist, at a horror convention in Charlotte. We met him again at a special event at the Columbia Art Museum in SC, a few years later. After the event, several of the Metallica Fan Club members went to a restaurant, where the bassist, Rob Trujillo, was eating as well. He recognized some of our group and came over to talk to us, shaking everyone’s hand (and I was cool enough not to pull out the cellphone). They were in town for a small concert by their side project funk/punk cover band “The Wedding Band”. I again met both that same weekend at a promotional event for the band’s “Blackened” Whiskey.

What’s one Metallica-related experience still on your bucket list?

My goal is to attend 25 shows before I turn 70 in a little over 2 years. I’m at 20 shows now, with tickets already for 3 shows in late 2026/early 2027 at the unique Vegas Sphere, so I think I can make it, depending on their touring schedule. I was making plans to combine 2 shows with a tour of London when I first heard the rumors of their Vegas Sphere residency.