John Wester and Spencer Wiles Honored in Excellence in Law Awards

Robinson Bradshaw litigators John Wester and Spencer Wiles were recognized in North Carolina Lawyers Weekly’s Excellence in Law Awards for 2026. Wester was named an Icon, and Wiles was named a Phenom.

The awards program honors attorneys across North Carolina for outstanding professional achievement and highlights both emerging leaders and seasoned practitioners. The Icon distinction is awarded to attorneys with 30 or more years of practice, and the Phenom distinction recognizes attorneys with 10 years or less of practice.

Wester has practiced as trial and appellate counsel in complex business litigation. He has served as lead counsel in noteworthy cases reaching the U.S. Supreme Court, including Hyatt v. Shalala, an 18-year pro bono case in which Wester and his colleagues won new disability hearings under new standards for a class of 150,000 North Carolinians. In addition, Wester was president of the North Carolina Bar Association from 2009-10. He is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Wester earned his law degree with high honors from Duke University and his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was a Morehead Scholar.

Wiles focuses his practice on complex business litigation and arbitration across construction, insurance, land use, sports and entertainment, real estate and employment law. He is also a member of the North Carolina Bar Association’s Insurance Law Section Council. Wiles credits his competitive drive, collaborative instincts and communication skills to growing up with a strong emphasis on athletics and team sports.

Wiles earned his law degree magna cum laude from Washington and Lee University and his bachelor’s degree summa cum laude from Hampden-Sydney College.

Read the full NC Lawyers Weekly profiles here.