Ryan K. Buchanan, former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia and a veteran federal prosecutor, will return to McGuireWoods as a partner in Atlanta, expanding the reach of the firm’s nationally recognized Government Investigations & White Collar Litigation Department.
Buchanan served as U.S. Attorney in the Atlanta-headquartered Northern District of Georgia from May 2022 until January 2025, leading an office of approximately 250 prosecutors, civil litigators, appellate lawyers, investigators, and professional staff. He brings national and international experience in government investigations, prosecutions, and civil litigation to McGuireWoods, where he began his private practice career as an associate in 2006.
“I was honored to serve as U.S. Attorney and to collaborate daily with talented and dedicated lawyers, law enforcement partners, and government and civic leaders in our vibrant region,” Buchanan said. “I am excited to return to McGuireWoods to begin a new chapter and to use my experience, knowledge, and insights to help clients achieve their goals.”
As U.S. Attorney, Buchanan oversaw prosecutions and investigations 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 also led the office’s robust collaboration efforts with hundreds of law enforcement agencies and community stakeholders on impactful public safety initiatives throughout the state, region, and country.
Buchanan contributed to national policy as a member of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC). He served as vice chair of the AGAC’s Terrorism and National Security Subcommittee and led the subcommittee’s Foreign Influence and Nation-State Threats Working Group. He also was a member of the Domestic Terrorism Executive Committee, an interagency committee that promotes information sharing to combat domestic terrorism threats.
“Ryan has a national perspective on government investigations, prosecutions, and civil litigation that will provide clients with powerful advantages in navigating enforcement actions and managing risk,” said Noreen Kelly, McGuireWoods’ deputy managing partner for litigation.
Among his many achievements, Buchanan led a high-profile investigation that uncovered multiple violations of the constitutional and statutory rights of detainees at the Fulton County Jail, and a multiyear investigation of the Georgia Department of Corrections that identified failures to protect the constitutional rights of incarcerated individuals. He also directed a lengthy corruption investigation that led to prosecutions of 11 high-ranking city officials and contractors in Atlanta, resulting in two convictions at trial and nine guilty pleas.
Before his confirmation by the United States Senate as U.S. Attorney in 2022, Buchanan served for 12 years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of Georgia and the Northern District of Alabama. An experienced trial lawyer, Buchanan has tried over 20 cases to verdict and litigated hundreds of cases from initial filing through appeal.
Buchanan will join a McGuireWoods practice that has represented Fortune 100 companies and financial institutions in some of the most notable and complicated criminal, regulatory, and investigative matters of the past decade. The firm has a deep bench of former federal and state prosecutors and senior enforcement officials in its litigation practices.
“Clients seeking to navigate the complexities of a government investigation or complex civil matter need knowledgeable and strategic legal advisers,” said Jason Cowley, chair of the firm’s Government Investigations & White Collar Litigation Department. “Ryan possesses these qualities in abundance and brings the knowledge and wisdom that comes from a distinguished career in public service.”
Buchanan is one of three former U.S. Attorneys who will join the firm in the coming weeks. Michael F. Easley Jr. will return to McGuireWoods in Raleigh after serving as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina. Eric Olshan, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, will join the firm in Pittsburgh.