Why did you leave Husch Blackwell? Where did you go and what did you do?
When I joined Husch Blackwell as a healthcare regulatory associate in Denver in 2015, I hadn’t expected to ever leave. But three years later, I followed the partners who mentored me and who I considered my work family to a large, international law firm just a few blocks away. One of those partners was the reason I joined Husch Blackwell in the first place. She was a few years ahead of me in her career, doing everything I aspired to do, and had taken me under her wing.
What prompted your return to Husch Blackwell?
My husband and I could have made Denver our forever home, but after having our first child, and then expecting a second one during the pandemic, it became very difficult to juggle the demands of parenting and professional life without extended family nearby, so we decided to move back to our home state of Wisconsin. However, my firm didn’t have a Wisconsin office and also could not accommodate a long-term remote practice situation.
I reconnected with some of the other Husch Blackwell attorneys I had enjoyed working with, and our conversations made it feel like I had never left. They were very supportive of me and discussed how the firm had adapted amid this time of uncertainty. The firm’s progressive approach in establishing a virtual office (The Link) with comprehensive technologies was very attractive. I could have the flexibility I needed in my work and personal life, while developing a fulfilling career. I found that although some other firms permitted their attorneys to work remotely during the first year or two of the pandemic, it was unclear whether remote work would be a permanent option. The Link, however, is here to stay, not just through the pandemic.
What special experiences did you have or new skills did you develop during your time away that benefit Husch Blackwell clients?
I developed a greater understanding of the behavioral health industry and regulatory framework that those types of providers need to navigate. I also supported more private equity clients investing in the healthcare space, and further honed my expertise in healthcare fraud and abuse laws. Now back at Husch Blackwell, I continue to learn from people I view as experts and admire.
In retrospect, what is one thing you missed about Husch Blackwell?
The breadth and depth of the expertise and large bench of true healthcare attorneys within the firm’s Healthcare, Life Sciences, and Education team. Few firms can match Husch Blackwell’s capabilities representing clients in the healthcare industry. It is always reassuring to know that if something is outside of my wheelhouse, there is likely someone within our team I can loop in to assist a client.
What is one thing that stands out from the Husch Blackwell employee experience?
The firm’s flexibility and willingness to adapt. Law firms are not typically at the cutting edge of implementing alternative work arrangements or career tracks. But Husch Blackwell understands that career progression may not always follow a linear track from associate to partner, and it supports attorneys in finding the path that is most suitable to their individual needs and goals. This, combined with the opportunities presented by The Link, sets Husch Blackwell apart.
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