Matt Sawchak, Emma Perry Assume Bar Leadership Roles

Two Robinson Bradshaw attorneys based in the Triangle have assumed new positions as leaders in the bar. Litigator Matt Sawchak is vice president of the North Carolina Bar Association’s board of governors, and litigator Emma Perry is president of the 18th Judicial District Bar.

Sawchak began his three-year term after the NCBA’s annual meeting last week. The NCBA is a statewide service organization for legal professionals providing continuing legal education; legislative advocacy; practice management support; and leadership, service and networking opportunities. The board of governors provides leadership and governance to the NCBA, and its members also compose the board of directors for the North Carolina Bar Foundation.

At Robinson Bradshaw, Sawchak focuses his practice on complex litigation, antitrust and appeals. He has argued at all levels of the federal and North Carolina court systems, including the U.S. Supreme Court. Sawchak previously served as solicitor general of North Carolina from 2017 to 2020, acting as lead counsel in the state’s highest-stakes civil appeals. Sawchak received both a law degree and a master’s degree with honors from Duke University, and he earned his bachelor’s degree cum laude from Harvard University.

Perry became president of the 18th Judicial District Bar on June 6 after previously serving for two years as secretary and treasurer. The 18th Judicial District Bar is the mandatory association for lawyers who work in the district, which consists of Orange County and Chatham County. It is a subdivision of the North Carolina State Bar. 

In her practice at Robinson Bradshaw, Perry has represented businesses in actions involving a broad array of claims, including breach of contract, fraud, tax liability, trade secret misappropriation and trademark infringement. She earned her law degree with high honors from the University of Texas and her bachelor’s degree summa cum laude with honors from Baylor University.

Sawchak practices from Robinson Bradshaw’s Raleigh office, and Perry is based in the firm’s Research Triangle office.