Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd’s William McKinney Awarded North Carolina’s Highest Civilian Honor

The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is the highest civilian award for state service granted by the Office of the Governor. William was recognized for his service as General Counsel to Governor Cooper and Special Counsel to the Attorney General of North Carolina. As General Counsel, he directed the legal strategy of the Governor’s administration in matters such as the state’s COVID-19 State of Emergency and accompanying litigation, multiple hurricanes and high-stakes separation of powers litigation. 

William focuses his practice in the areas of state and local government, economic development and business litigation. He is based in the firm’s Greenville office and spends a significant amount of time in Raleigh, North Carolina, where the firm has several clients.