Husch Blackwell partner Kirk P. Watson has been named Founding Dean of the University of Houston (UH) Hobby School of Public Affairs.
The Hobby School, named in honor of former Texas Lt. Gov. Bill Hobby, was originally founded as the Hobby Center for Public Policy at UH in 1981.
A member of the Texas Senate since 2007, Watson has focused his legal practice at Husch Blackwell on commercial litigation. He is also a recognized speaker on a range of legal and economic development topics and has addressed business and political leaders at public policy forums across the United States and internationally.
Watson is also the author of the recently published book, “Austin Unlimited,” which captures the growth of Austin as a center of high-tech, government and music. He served as Austin’s mayor from 1997-2001 and earned his J.D. and B.A. from Baylor University.
“Those of us who know Senator Watson are well aware of his three decades of public service, and we know how great this position will be for him and the State of Texas,” said Lorinda G. Holloway, managing partner of Husch Blackwell’s Austin office. ”Just last week, I introduced him at his book signing by saying how much we appreciated his work helping shape Austin so meaningfully, for doing it with such grace and purpose, and for highlighting in his book the gems in our community. We will miss having Senator Watson as our law partner, but we are incredibly excited for him as he focuses on this new endeavor.”