Ryan Buchanan, managing partner of McGuireWoods’ Atlanta office, recalls the first time he saw a federal prosecutor stand up in court, state his name and declare, “I am appearing on behalf of the United States of America.”
The simple but profound act was a revelation for the recent law school graduate, then a U.S. District Court clerk in Birmingham, Alabama.
“I heard it, and I thought, ‘What an honor and what an opportunity,’ ” Buchanan says, a sense of awe still evident in his voice. “I instantly wanted it.”
Buchanan’s passion for public service carried him through a nearly 15-year career as a federal prosecutor, including three years in the high-profile role of U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. He oversaw matters involving domestic and international terrorism, healthcare and financial fraud, human trafficking, drug trafficking, whistleblower actions, cybercrime, public corruption, violent crime, organized crime and gang activities, and civil rights violations. He forged partnerships with law enforcement agencies and community stakeholders on public safety initiatives throughout the state, region and country. And on hundreds of occasions, he fulfilled his aspiration of appearing in court on behalf of the United States.
“It was an honor and a tremendous opportunity to be involved in matters that impacted people’s lives,” he says. “The biggest takeaway for me is having spent time in a space that made the lives of 8 million people better and safer. That’s the best part.”
Buchanan stepped down as U.S. attorney in January 2025, and two months later joined McGuireWoods’ Government Investigations & White Collar Litigation Department in Atlanta. The move was a homecoming for Buchanan, who in 2006 started his career in Charlotte as a labor and employment associate at Helms, Mulliss & Wicker, the North Carolina firm that merged with McGuireWoods in 2008.
Buchanan had never handled a government investigation or a white collar litigation matter before he left McGuireWoods to become a federal prosecutor in 2010. He returned to the firm after leading an office of nearly 250 prosecutors, civil litigators and support staff and overseeing investigations and prosecutions that touched six continents and made national headlines. He now has a comprehensive perspective that helps clients navigate government enforcement actions and manage risk, he says.
“I have a granular view of how cases and investigations operate and the top-line view of supervising those matters as a middle manager and then ultimately as the U.S. attorney,” says Buchanan, who was drawn back to McGuireWoods by the depth and reach of the firm’s government investigations practice.
“It is a big group that covers multiple subject matters and spans the entire country,” he says. “It affords me an opportunity to get in front of and participate in some of the most impactful matters with an infrastructure that supports success.”
Buchanan is one of three former U.S. attorneys to join McGuireWoods in 2025. Michael Easley Jr., former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, returned to the firm’s Raleigh office in March. Eric Olshan joined the Pittsburgh office in April after serving as U.S. attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
“It’s fun for me to be able to work with Michael and Eric again,” Buchanan says. “When I was a young associate at the firm, Michael was a summer associate. When he and I were U.S. attorneys together, there was a connection between our offices and I talked frequently with him.”
Buchanan became friends with Olshan when they served together on the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee, a select group of U.S. attorneys who advised the AG and U.S. Justice Department leaders on policy, procedure and management.
“The thing about Easley and Olshan is they are outstanding leaders, but also fantastic lawyers,” Buchanan says. “It’s fun to move from an administrator role as colleagues to a lawyer role as colleagues because they are a joy to work with.”
Buchanan also enjoys renewing acquaintances with mentors and colleagues from his early days as an associate at Helms, Mulliss and McGuireWoods. He says he developed a rapport with partners Greg Kilpatrick and Doug Ey (now retired) during an on-campus interview at Vanderbilt Law School. Buchanan decided to join the firm after visiting the Charlotte office and meeting other lawyers.
“I enjoyed the culture,” he says. “The caliber of the lawyering was apparent, and they seemed to be a really fun bunch.”
Buchanan says the experience he gained as a litigation associate, including two trials he describes as “career-impacting,” validated his decision to join the firm. The cases were not headline-grabbing matters, but the opportunity to work on them “shaped the direction of my career,” he says.
“I was smitten with trying cases,” he says. “That experience pushed me to think about pursuing more opportunities to stand up in court.”
Buchanan also formed lasting friendships and professional bonds with McGuireWoods colleagues like partner Paul Navarro, then a fellow labor and employment associate, and John McDonald, former managing partner of the firm’s Charlotte office. Buchanan marvels at the number of friends and mentors who remain at the firm nearly two decades after it recruited him.
“The fact that they’re still here just reminds me that this is a good place. It’s a place centered around good lawyering in a collegial space and committed to long-term career-building and client relationships,” he says.
Move to Atlanta
After getting married in 2008, Buchanan moved from Charlotte to McGuireWoods’ Atlanta office and continued doing labor and employment litigation work. But he still felt the pull of public service. Nine times he applied for a position as an assistant U.S. attorney in Atlanta, but never got an interview. Instead of giving up, he broadened his search to include Nashville, where he went to law school, and Birmingham, the city where his inspiration took root.
In 2010, Buchanan was hired as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Northern District of Alabama, where he made his mark as lead counsel in over 50 federal criminal cases and six jury trials, including national security matters. In 2013, he moved to the U.S. attorney’s office in Atlanta and further developed his national security bona fides, eventually becoming coordinator of the office’s National Security and Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council and later deputy chief of the Violent Crime and National Security Section.
The opportunity to serve as U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Georgia arose at a pivotal moment in 2020. There was a national emphasis on violent crime, domestic terrorism and national security — areas where Buchanan spent a decade gaining experience. During an open application process, Buchanan, feeling he was a “strong candidate,” seized the chance.
Through multiple rounds of interviews with Georgia’s two senators and with DOJ officials, Buchanan’s experience and shared sense of mission became apparent. He was nominated to be U.S. attorney in November 2021 and the U.S. Senate confirmed him in a voice vote six months later.
“It was surreal, but a tremendous honor and a wonderful opportunity,” he says.
Buchanan returned to McGuireWoods with the same enthusiasm he had for public service and a unique perspective to offer clients. He says the firm encourages and supports his efforts to build a practice and to increase McGuireWoods’ presence in Atlanta.
And if a new lawyer shows interest in pursuing public service opportunities, Buchanan has two words of advice: “Call me.”
“Our clients deserve the best and brightest, but so does our country,” he says. “Spending some time giving your talent and your skill to make the United States a better place is awesome, and I’ll support anyone who wants to pursue that. It doesn’t mean that you’re giving up on private practice. Like me, you may come back rejuvenated, with a perspective and experience that will serve our clients well.”