Business NC’s 2025 Legal Elite Highlights 20 Robinson Bradshaw Attorneys, Matt Sawchak Named Appellate Winner

Business North Carolina recognized 11 Robinson Bradshaw attorneys in its 2025 Legal Elite awards, including Matthew W. Sawchak as the overall category winner for appellate law. An additional nine attorneys are in the Hall of Fame.

Sawchak received the most votes from his peers in the appellate category, and he will be permanently recognized in the publication’s Hall of Fame. In his award profile, Sawchak shared that his love for words and ideas led to his calling as a lawyer, and he discussed how the art of delegation both improves his own practice and strengthens litigation strategy overall.

The following Robinson Bradshaw attorneys were also recognized on the 2025 Legal Elite list:

• Patrick S. Bryant – Business
• Stephen D. Feldman – Appellate
• J. Adam Martin – Business
• Lawrence C. Moore III – Antitrust
• Preetha Suresh Rini – Young Guns
• Caroline Wannamaker Sink – Business
• Angelique R. Vincent – Employment
• John R. Wester – Appellate
• David C. Wright III – Litigation
• Erik R. Zimmerman – Appellate

Legal Elite’s Hall of Fame honors attorneys who have historically received the most votes in their respective category. The former and current Robinson Bradshaw attorneys included in the Hall of Fame are:

• Everett J. Bowman (d. 2016) – Antitrust (2006)
• Peter C. Buck – Business (2008)
• Stephen D. Feldman – Antitrust (2017)
• Jessica Mering Hardin – Tax & Estate Planning (2021)
• Robin L. Hinson (d. 2008) – Business (2007)
• Graham D. Holding – Tax & Estate Planning (2012)
• Stephen M. Lynch – Business (2011)
• Christy Eve Reid (d. 2014) – Tax & Estate Planning (2009)
• Russell M. Robinson II – Business (2002, 2003), Corporate (2002)
• Matthew W. Sawchak – Antitrust (2002, 2003), Appellate (2025)
• Brent A. Torstrick – Real Estate (2006)

The magazine annually polls all North Carolina-based members of the State Bar to determine the state’s top attorneys in 17 categories.