Press Release

Winston-Salem, N.C. — Spilman Thomas & Battle (Spilman) announced that partner Erin Jones Adams has earned the Association of Workplace Investigators (AWI) Certificate Holder designation (AWI-CH), further enhancing the firm’s robust workplace investigations capabilities.

Jones Adams completed the rigorous certificate requirements at the AWI’s 2026 Training Institute in San Diego, where she successfully passed a series of comprehensive examinations to assess the core competencies required to conduct fair, thorough, and impartial workplace investigations. She now joins a select group of experienced investigators who have been awarded the AWI-CH distinction.

“Erin’s achievement reflects both her personal commitment to excellence and the strength of our firm’s workplace investigations team,” said Jeffrey D. Patton, who serves as Member in Charge of Spilman’s North Carolina office. “Our clients rely on us to navigate sensitive, high-stakes matters with discretion and precision. Erin’s AWI certificate reinforces the depth of our experience and our continued investment in delivering best-in-class investigative services.”

Jones Adams brings a broad and multifaceted legal background to her practice, including experience in complex litigation, internal compliance and administration roles in higher education, and now a practice focused in employment, education, corporate, healthcare law, and attorney investigator services. She routinely conducts workplace and Title IX investigations and advises clients on risk mitigation and compliance strategies. She also co-chairs Spilman’s Education Law and Workplace Investigations practice groups.

“Pursuing the AWI certificate was a natural extension of my work and commitment to conducting thorough investigations through a fair and impartial process,” Jones Adams said. “The Training Institute provided practical, real-world insight that will directly benefit our clients as we help them address sensitive workplace concerns with clarity and confidence.”

Spilman’s Workplace Investigations Practice Group is known for its ability to conduct independent, confidential investigations into highly sensitive matters across a wide range of industries, including healthcare, education, financial services, manufacturing, professional services, and government. The firm is regularly engaged to investigate allegations involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, bullying, and whistleblower claims, as well as other complex issues such as cybersecurity, fraud, theft, corruption, wage and hour violations, safety, and conduct posing significant financial or reputational risk, including matters involving senior executives and boards of directors.

The AWI is a professional membership association for those who conduct, manage, or have a professional interest in workplace investigations, including attorneys, human resources managers, private investigators, and others. For more information about AWI, please visit https://www.awi.org/.

About Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC
Spilman Thomas & Battle is a full-service, super-regional law firm serving local, regional, national, and international businesses. Founded in 1864, Spilman has offices in Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown, and Wheeling, West Virginia; Roanoke, Virginia; Harrisburg and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Jacksonville, Florida.