Kaufman & Canoles is pleased to announce that Joseph E. Houchin has been named the Managing Director of the Firm’s Raleigh office, effective April 1, 2026.
Since joining Kaufman & Canoles in 2021, Mr. Houchin has demonstrated remarkable leadership qualities and unwavering dedication to serving the Firm’s clients and the greater Raleigh community. He serves by appointment as a Commissioner on the North Carolina State Bar Disciplinary Hearing Commission, the North Carolina Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission, and on the Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism. He is also a member of the Triangle Lawyer’s Chapter of the Federalist Society, an E.A. Morris Fellow for Emerging Leaders, and a Blackstone Fellow.
“Joe has built a formidable practice in the firm’s Raleigh office and is perfectly positioned to lead our efforts in North Carolina,” said Jason R. Davis, President and CEO of Kaufman & Canoles. “We are confident the Raleigh office will continue to thrive under his leadership.”
Mr. Houchin takes the reins from Frank A. Hirsch, Jr., his esteemed colleague and mentor, with whom he has forged a close relationship over the last five years, diligently working side by side to expand and enhance the Raleigh office's capabilities. After leaving his management role, Mr. Hirsch will continue to practice law in the Consumer Finance, Litigation, and Lender Representation practice groups, solving complex corporate legal issues through trials, litigation, arbitration, mediation, and negotiation.
Mr. Houchin is a litigator and Chair of Kaufman & Canoles’ White-Collar Defense and Investigations Practice Team where he represents clients under investigation or charged with criminal offenses in state and federal court. He also maintains a business litigation and regulatory compliance practice representing the needs of North Carolina employers and entrepreneurs. He received his B.A. at George Mason University and his J.D. from the University of Mississippi School of Law.
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The contents of this publication are intended for general information only and should not be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion on specific facts and circumstances. Copyright 2026.
