Why have you chosen to make your career at Husch Blackwell?
Before beginning my career at Husch Blackwell, I was a summer associate here. I liked the challenge and complexity of the work and enjoyed being a member of a team. What really stood out was that there were at least four lawyers in the office who had a few young children. I thought to myself, these people are hard-working, have kids and are happy. They’re either terrible parents (which wasn’t the case!) or are able to work and live the way they want to live. It was then that I realized what roof I wanted to work under. The comfortable culture within the office and opportunity for a life outside of it crystallized that this was the place for me.
What is one thing that makes Husch Blackwell special?
I have a team of people at the office and within the firm who value me as a person and share the desire to create and maintain a great place to work. Every member of the team respects my interests outside the practice and my efforts to raise my family. The firm’s culture comes from the people; they make the institution what it is. My experience influences my role as the Omaha office’s hiring chair and contributions as a member of the firm’s General Assignment Associate Hiring Committee. I want to do as much as I can to guard and protect our culture and ensure people continue to feel valued.
What is your advice for a new hire?
Whomever you’re working for – make that person’s life easier. Do things that give this person who is also busy less to stress about. If you can help others, you instill confidence and become a valued member of the team. And, ultimately, you make everyone happier!
Is there a case you worked on that you found particularly rewarding?
A federal judge appointed us as counsel for an indigent defendant. A woman who suffered from mental health issues owned a house that was being foreclosed on by a large bank. The house was struck by lightning, which caused a lot of damage, and the bank wanted to recover this money. The case settled and my client received nearly 75 percent of the money. This meant that she didn’t have to choose between her medication or basic shelter. Being able to help her in this way was very satisfying.
How has Husch Blackwell supported you in achieving work/life balance?
Enjoying my life matters to me, and as long as I’m completing my work on time and at a high level, I have flexibility. The firm’s parental leave policy – the ability to take three months off to help my wife and be present for our newborn without having to worry about work – is almost unheard of in the practice of law. Having my bosses tell me, after long hours working on a case, to take some time away from the office to refresh is also just a great example of how the firm promotes attorney well-being. To be at a place where that’s encouraged is just awesome.