Chambers USA 2018 has ranked Husch Blackwell in 10 practice categories and recognized 37 lawyers in 11 offices across the firm. The firm earned rankings in the areas of Banking & Finance, Corporate/Commercial, Corporate/M&A, Environment, Healthcare, Intellectual Property, Labor & Employment, Litigation: General Commercial, Natural Resources & Environment and Real Estate.
Client comments in the Chambers USA 2018 directory call attention to Husch Blackwell’s focus on solving client problems and providing excellent service:
- Banking & Finance. With “specialties that include industrial revenue bonds and the representation of agent banks in syndicated loan negotiations,” Chambers said the Husch Blackwell team is known for its ability to “handle a variety of commercial and public finance matters.” One client said, “They provide an array of services one would anticipate a larger firm providing, but with an approach of a strong regional firm in which a 'client first' mindset does not get lost. The firm always brings a high level of knowledge with a practical application.”
- Corporate/Commercial. Chambers said Husch Blackwell “offers notable proficiency in M&A, corporate governance and securities matters” and “has commendable experience working with clients from the renewable fuel, energy and agribusiness sectors.” Chambers also noted the team’s expertise in tax credit financing, venture capital and private equity matters.
- Corporate/M&A. The team, according to Chambers, is “well-placed to advise on large and complex transactions and regularly assists with multimillion-dollar matters.” It also “offers strong experience of private equity mandates and other related financing arrangements including joint ventures, debt securities and large restructurings.” Clients cited the team's proactive attitude, saying, “They give you that attention throughout the transaction from beginning to end.” Another client commended the team for its “excellent skill, communication and responsiveness.”
- Environment. Chambers said this “established team with particular experience in litigation and regulatory compliance” focuses on permits, cleanups, enforcement actions and other EPA-related matters. One client noted, “Their litigation and environmental abilities are very strong.They're responsive, their rates are fair and they've demonstrated value.”
- Healthcare. Chambers said Husch Blackwell’s team “offers expertise in healthcare fraud and abuse issues, governance and telemedicine” and is a “standout healthcare group representing clients in transactional and regulatory matters throughout Texas.” One client said, “The team offers excellent client service and is very easy to work with.”
- Intellectual Property. Chambers said the firm “holds strong expertise in the area of trade secrets and tort law, becoming increasingly involved in data, contract and security disputes.” Clients commend the team’s proactive and client-focused approach, noting “Their client service is very good; they are very responsive and flexible to our needs.” One client says of the firm's performance: “They are one of my go-to firms for IP.”
- Labor & Employment. Husch Blackwell “carries significant litigation expertise in FLSA and wage and hour class and collective actions and “advises on labor law issues that include negotiations with unions and the NLRB.” Sources admire the strength of the firm's bench and conclude it is “a very good firm" with “some very fine lawyers.” One client noted, “They were on the ball and so fast with everything.”
- Litigation/General Commercial. Chambers said the firm’s “areas of strength include class actions as well as fraud and insurance-related matters.” Clients praise the firm as "knowledgeable, responsive and very proactive in helping us get to a resolution." One client said, “They did an excellent job; they have a team with solid trial experience, which is critical.”
- Real Estate. Chambers said the group is “capable of advising on real estate matters throughout the USA” and is “noted for its work on the financing and operation of sports facilities, as well as the full range of issues affecting mixed-use developments.” Chambers also mentioned the firm’s “strong reputation for representing developers on complex projects involving tax credits and incentives” and “significant experience handling PPP projects.” One client said, “The lawyers are more than just advisers, they are partners in achieving our goals. They are always extremely knowledgeable and exceptionally effective.”
Linda L. Walsh of the firm's Washington, D.C. office received an individual ”Nationwide” ranking in Energy: Electricity (Regulatory & Litigation), garnering notice for her handling of FERC and NERC reliability matters, administrative litigation and transmission rate proceedings. Clients characterized Walsh as ”experienced, knowledgeable, creative and responsive.”
Colorado:
Jeffrey A. Chase – Litigation: General Commercial – Senior Statesmen
Paul A. Jacobs – Real Estate – Senior Statesmen
Kevin H. Kelley – Real Estate – Band 2
Joseph Lubinski – Real Estate – Up and Coming
Mary H. Stuart – Labor & Employment – Band 3
Illinois:
Patrick S. Coffey – Healthcare – Band 3
Missouri:
Samuel Digirolamo – Intellectual Property – Band 1
Alan S. Nemes – Intellectual Property – Band 3
Rudolph Telscher – Intellectual Property – Band 3 NEW
Kansas City:
James M. Ash – Corporate/M&A – Band 1
Paul F. Pautler, Jr. – Labor & Employment – Band 3
John R. Phillips – Labor & Employment – Eminent Practitioner
Charles Renner – Real Estate – Band 3
Jason A. Reschly – Corporate/M&A – Band 3
Julianne Story – Labor & Employment – Recognised Practitioner NEW
St. Louis:
Bradley S. Hiles – Labor & Employment – Band 3
David A. Linenbroker – Real Estate – Band 3
Mary Anne O'Connell – Corporate/M&A – Band 2
Gregory R. Smith – Real Estate – Band 1
Robert J. Tomaso – Labor & Employment – Band 1
Amy L. Wachs – Environment – Band 2
Robert F. Wilkinson – Environment – Band 2
Nebraska:
David E. Gardels – Corporate/Commercial – Band 1
Todd A. Richardson – Corporate/Commercial – Band 3
Tennessee:
Ronald I. Feldman – Real Estate – Band 3
Texas:
Diane T. Carter – Healthcare – Band 3
Scott L. Davis – Insurance – Recognised Practitioner NEW
Joseph “Joe” V. Geraci – Healthcare – Band 2
David W. Hilgers – Healthcare – Band 1
Hal Katz – Healthcare – Band 2
USA Nationwide
Linda L. Walsh – Energy: Electricity (Regulatory & Litigation) – Band 5 NEW
Wisconsin:
Eugenia (Gina) Carter – Intellectual Property – Band 3 and Intellectual Property: Litigation – Spotlight Table
Brad Dallet – Real Estate – Band 2
John F. Emanuel – Corporate/M&A – Band 2
Hal Karas – Real Estate – Band 1
Eric E. Lenzen – Corporate M&A – Band 3
Richard W. Silverthorn – Corporate/M&A – Band 3
Chambers and Partners, which publishes Chambers USA, develops its rankings by utilizing a team of 170 full-time researchers and editors who conduct thousands of in-depth interviews with lawyers and their clients worldwide. The team identifies and ranks the world’s best lawyers and legal departments according to the criteria most valued by clients: legal knowledge and experience, ability, effectiveness and client service.