Describe your history with Husch Blackwell.
I joined Husch Blackwell through its legacy firm, Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek, in 2014. HB merged with WHD in 2016, and I stayed on until 2019, when I went in-house with a client, Invenergy LLC, as Associate General Counsel for Permitting & Local Affairs. My career then took me to Vanguard Renewables and RWE Clean Energy, where I was most recently Director of Real Estate & Permitting Law.
In May 2024, I returned to HB, and it felt like a homecoming. I’m thrilled to be part of this innovative firm and the Husch Blackwell Energy & Natural Resources industry group.
What led you to your in-house positions, and how was your experience at Husch Blackwell useful in those roles?
I was drawn to in-house legal work to deeply understand and support a single business. My time at Husch Blackwell equipped me with exceptional client service skills, allowing me to fulfill the needs of my role effectively while supporting other business units. I refined these skills at Husch Blackwell and applied them to my in-house roles, making a positive impact on the company’s performance.
Why did you decide to rejoin the firm?
I decided to return for several reasons. As an AmLaw 100 law firm with over 1,000 attorneys, Husch Blackwell has an impressive bench of legal talent and offers an excellent platform for my practice to grow and evolve. Additionally, the uncommon firm culture stands out. The firm offers flexible work arrangements, ERGs, and cutting-edge office spaces, all of which create a supportive environment.
Also, I’m passionate about the legal work we do. The renewable energy industry is rapidly evolving, and I get to work on a diverse range of projects for our clients. This environment motivates me to grow and excel as an attorney.
Share any emerging trends that you’re seeing in your practice area.
In my practice areas of real estate and renewable energy, there are exciting trends emerging. AI in real estate is changing the legal space, and we have established a task force dedicated to leveraging AI tools to enhance efficiency for clients. While the commercial real estate market continues to face high interest rates and shifting occupancy trends, the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act has provided a clear path forward for sustained growth in the renewable energy sector over the next decade. Our Energy & Natural Resources team is experiencing rapid growth to keep pace with the market and will continue to expand.
What hobbies do you enjoy outside the office?
In October, I’ll be running the Chicago Marathon for the second year to raise funds for Recovery on Water (ROW), a nonprofit that helps breast cancer survivors find support through rowing. Additionally, I adopted a Blue Heeler named Luna from PAWS Chicago, and we walk three or four miles a day along Lake Monona in Madison.