Chambers USA 2020 ranked Husch Blackwell in 10 practice categories and recognized 42 lawyers, with 13 attorneys earning first-time rankings. The firm earned rankings in the areas of Banking & Finance, Corporate/Commercial, Corporate/M&A, Environment, Healthcare, Intellectual Property, Labor & Employment, Litigation: General Commercial, Cannabis Law, and Real Estate.
Client comments in the Chambers USA 2020 directory call attention to Husch Blackwell’s focus on solving client problems and providing excellent client service:
Banking & Finance (Wisconsin). The Husch Blackwell team, said Chambers, “handles a variety of commercial and public finance matters, ranging from complex financing transactions to tax credit issues, due diligence and intercreditor agreements.” Chambers pointed out the group’s “specialties include industrial revenue bonds and the representation of agent banks in syndicated loan negotiations.” One client says the team “follows through on everything and does not miss details.”
*Cannabis Law (USA Nationwide). Chambers cited the firm’s “cross-disciplinary team” that “utilizes its well-established base in regulatory compliance to advise on a range of transactions and business structuring matters.” The team's “particular strength is delivery of accurate and timely information,” says a client.
Corporate/Commercial (Nebraska). Chambers noted Husch Blackwell’s “commendable experience working with clients from the renewable fuel, energy and agribusiness sectors” and its “distinguished corporate and commercial offering with considerable experience across a wide array of sector concerns.” Chambers also cited the team’s “notable proficiency in M&A, corporate governance and securities matters.”
Corporate/M&A (Kansas City, St. Louis, Wisconsin). This team “enjoys an outstanding reputation for its corporate expertise” and is “well placed to advise on large and complex transactions,” according to Chambers. The group “offers strong experience of private equity mandates and other related financing arrangements including joint ventures, debt securities and large restructurings.” Comments one source, “The team adapts to its audience and works effectively as a team; the team presents tremendous value to its clients.” Another client remarks: “They are very responsive to communications and strive to keep costs low.”
Environment (St. Louis). Chambers said Husch Blackwell’s “established team with particular experience in litigation and regulatory compliance” has built up an “impressive client base in the agriculture, energy and chemical manufacturing industries,” with involvement “in CERCLA litigation, advising on disposal issues and remediation.”
Healthcare (Texas). Chambers said Husch Blackwell offers a “standout healthcare group representing clients in transactional and regulatory matters throughout Texas” with “expertise in healthcare fraud and abuse issues, governance and telemedicine.” Clients say, “Husch is very well respected for its breadth and depth.” States another source, “I've been impressed. It has the deepest experience in the state.”
Intellectual Property (Missouri). Chambers said the firm “enjoys a fine reputation for its defense work and maintains a highly active presence across the patent space” and “also holds strong expertise in the area of trade secrets, becoming increasingly involved in data, contract and security disputes.”
Labor & Employment (Kansas City and St. Louis). Husch Blackwell was noted by Chambers for “outstanding labor and employment capabilities” and “significant litigation expertise in FLSA and wage and hour class and collective actions.” One client noted, “"They are professional, smart and responsive.” Another client said, “They are always available and efficiently and effectively find us a legal partner with expertise in whatever matter arises.”
Litigation/General Commercial (St. Louis). Chambers said the firm’s “distinguished outfit” has an “impressive record of representing clients across the pharmaceutical, healthcare, transportation and agriculture industries.” One client said, “They are extremely responsive and thorough, and I wouldn't do anything without their advice.”
Real Estate (Colorado, St. Louis, Wisconsin). Chambers said that the group 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 and clients in the railroad, healthcare and hospitality sectors.” Chambers also notes the team’s “additional strength in tax increment financing and real estate litigation” and “land use and zoning expertise. One client comments, “It's far and away the most professional and experienced firm I have ever worked with. I cannot overemphasize how positive an experience I have had working with Husch Blackwell.” Another client adds that “the team is responsive to our needs, many times before we even know that the need is there.”
Colorado
- Jeffrey A. Chase – Litigation: General Commercial – Senior Statespeople
- Kevin H. Kelley – Real Estate – Band 2
- Joseph E. Lubinski – Real Estate – Band 2
Illinois
- Patrick S. Coffey – Healthcare – Band 4
Missouri
Kansas City
St. Louis
Nebraska
Texas
USA Nationwide
- *Meghan L. Brennan – Cannabis Law: Colorado – Associates to Watch
- Steven N. Levine – Cannabis Law: Colorado – Band 1
- Linda L. Walsh – Energy: Electricity (Regulatory & Litigation) – Band 4
Utah
- David R. Rudd – Corporate/M&A – Band 2
Wisconsin
- Brad Dallet – Real Estate – Band 2
- Hal Karas – Real Estate – Senior Statespeople
- *Philip R. Koutnik – Corporate/M&A – Up and Coming
- Eric E. Lenzen – Corporate M&A – Band 3
- *Derek Taylor – Banking & Finance – Band 3
- *Lynda R. Templen – Banking & Finance – Band 3
*Practice and attorneys recognized for first time in Chambers USA
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.