Troutman Pepper Locke Recognized Across Multiple Categories in 2026 Southeastern Legal Awards

ATLANTA – Troutman Pepper Locke attorneys Mary Marshall Easley, David Dove, David Ghegan, and Leila Harrison, along with the firm, have been recognized by the Daily Report and Law.com as part of the 2026 Southeastern Legal Awards in the On the Rise in North Carolina, Best Mentors, Most Effective Deal-makers, Most Promising Newcomer, and Best Legal Innovation categories, respectively. The honorees will be celebrated at a gala on May 7, 2026, at The Whitley in Atlanta.

Winner

On the Rise in North Carolina – Mary Marshall Easley

Easley, associate in the firm’s Charlotte and Raleigh offices, received the On the Rise in North Carolina award in recognition of her relationship and community-focused approach to practice in commercial real estate, where she represents real estate funds, real estate investment trusts, developers, landlords, and tenants in transactions across the U.S. and involving all asset classes. The On the Rise award honors lawyers under 40 who are innovators in their fields, creators of distinctive practice niches, proven business generators, effective leaders, and dedicated contributors to both charitable and professional community service.

Finalists

Best Mentors – David Dove

Dove, partner in the firm’s Atlanta office, has been named a finalist in the Best Mentors category, which honors lawyers who have made a significant impact by supporting and advancing colleagues. As head of the firm’s Regulatory and Economic Investment Practice in the Southeast, Dove exemplifies the leadership and commitment to mentorship recognized by this award.

Most Effective Deal-makers – David Ghegan

Ghegan, partner in the firm’s Atlanta office, has been shortlisted in the Most Effective Deal-makers category, which recognizes lawyers who earn repeat business from their clients and successfully close transactions. He received this nomination for his work advising public and private companies on a variety of complex securities and corporate finance transactions, as well as mergers and acquisitions.

Most Promising Newcomer – Leila Harrison

Harrison, associate in the firm’s Atlanta office, is up for Most Promising Newcomer, an honor recognizing attorneys in their early years of practice who have demonstrated exceptional potential, work ethic, and legal acumen. She earned this recognition for her environmental regulatory compliance and due diligence work, as well as her litigation experience.

Best Legal Innovation

Troutman Pepper Locke is a finalist for the Best Legal Innovation award for the work of its nationally ranked and award-winning eDiscovery and Data Management subsidiary, eMerge. Led by practicing attorneys, eMerge’s Custom Solutions team develops innovative AI tools that address clients’ data-related challenges and enhance legal service quality and efficiency. By leveraging attorney-directed AI to more quickly surface the key facts clients need to prove their claims and defenses, eMerge helps our clients achieve superior legal outcomes without compromising accuracy or security.

Troutman Pepper Locke

Troutman Pepper Locke helps clients solve complex legal challenges and achieve their business goals in an ever-changing global economy. With more than 1,600 attorneys in 30+ offices, the firm serves clients in all major industry sectors, with particular depth in energy, financial services, health care and life sciences, insurance and reinsurance, private equity, and real estate. Learn more at troutman.com.