The Town of Wake Forest has officially named Nathan McKinney as its new Town Attorney, the town announced. Taking over the legal reins from Hassan Kingsberry, who resigned back in February, McKinney comes into the role backed by a wealth of experience in varying capacities within the legal sphere.
In his new position, Nathan is tasked with various responsibilities, including providing legal counsel to a constellation of town figures and entities. He’ll be the go-to legal mind for the Mayor, the Board of Commissioners, Town Manager, and other town-appointed boards. McKinney's appointment is the culmination of a thorough search and interview process, highlighting the town's intent on securing a trustworthy figure for the role.
With roots beginning in Pensacola, Florida, McKinney moved to the Triangle when he was but a youngster at the age of seven. He obtained his bachelor’s degree from Pensacola Christian College in 1999 and later earned his Juris Doctor from the NC Central School of Law in 2005, according to an announcement by the Town of Wake Forest.
McKinney's journey through the legal realm included a stint as a public defender in Durham County from 2005 to 2013 and time in a private Raleigh firm in 2014, before settling into the Durham County Attorney's Office between 2014 to 2025. In his own words, McKinney expressed excitement for his new opportunity, stating, "My proudest and most enjoyable work accomplishments are the many times I've had the opportunity to work together with a team of people to properly engage the law, government services, operational strategy, sound risk management, interpersonal trust, and powerful communication to accomplish something that benefits all stakeholders, including the organization and the people it is tasked to serve – the residents." He made these remarks in a statement obtained by the Town of Wake Forest.
Apart from his legal career, McKinney is a family man, proudly married to his "amazing" wife, Amy, for 25 years, and they share four children and a granddaughter, as per the Town of Wake Forest announcement. When not steeped in the intricacies of local government law, he dedicates his time to family, fervently attending church, teaching Sunday School and delving into books on history, technology and the law, often reflecting on the greater good that can be accomplished through a well-run local government.
