McGuireWoods partners Michael Easley, Ryan Buchanan, Kevin McGinnis and Cori Hockman have earned honors from ALM’s Southeastern Legal Awards, which salutes attorney excellence in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana.
Easley, based in Raleigh, is one of three finalists for Attorney of the Year. He led a successful lawsuit on behalf of 21 autistic children and their families challenging a potentially catastrophic cut to North Carolina’s Medicaid reimbursement rates for critical autism care. In November 2025, a judge blocked the cuts and on Dec. 10, 2025, Gov. Josh Stein announced that his administration would restore reimbursement rates to their previous levels, explaining that recent court orders made the cuts untenable. Earlier in 2025, Easley rejoined McGuireWoods after serving nearly four years as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Buchanan, based in Atlanta, is one of four finalists for Managing Partner of the Year. He returned to McGuireWoods in March 2025 after spending 15 years with the U.S. Department of Justice — the last three as the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. In July 2025 he became managing partner of the Atlanta office, which has since welcomed more than 10 lawyers and seven business professionals. Buchanan also serves as a guest lecturer at Emory University and the University of Georgia law schools.
Hockman, based in Raleigh, was selected as one of 10 On the Rise winners from North Carolina. She is a commercial litigator focused on matters where advanced technology is at the heart of the dispute. She spearheaded the technical aspects of trial strategy for internet startup client Entri in a complex antitrust suit against domain goliath GoDaddy. She is also the pro bono coordinator for the firm’s Raleigh office and obtained the first permanent injunction during the COVID-19 pandemic securing protective measures and testing for elderly inmates in Texas.
ALM’s Atlanta newspaper, the Daily Report, will recognize the honorees at a gala on May 7, 2026, at The Whitley in Atlanta, and in a special section of the publication.