Easley, two top aides to lobby state government

Former North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley and two top aides are joining the Raleigh office of a Virginia-based lobbying, consulting and law firm.

McGuireWoods LLP said Thursday that Easley, Franklin Freeman and Ruffin Poole are joining its lobbying and consulting practice and will become partners in the law firm.

Easley will represent corporate clients as a senior member of the firm's lobbying and public affairs subsidiary. Freeman and Poole will lobby state government.

Freeman is a former state Supreme Court justice who served as chief of staff to Easley and former Gov. Jim Hunt. Poole was the top legal adviser to Easley and current Gov. Beverly Perdue.

McGuireWoods chairman Richard Cullen said all three have started their jobs. The firm is based in Richmond, Va.

Former Gov. Jim Martin also works for McGuireWoods in Charlotte.