The African American Managing Partners Network will honor Husch Blackwell partner Maurice A. Watson as its “Managing Partner of the Year” during the National Bar Association’s 92nd annual convention in New Orleans in July.
The award is presented annually to an African-American lawyer who serves or has previously served as managing partner of an AmLaw 200 law firm or one of its offices. Watson — who is based in Kansas City and served as Chairman of Husch Blackwell from 2012 to 2018 — led the firm’s Executive Board and was responsible for the firm’s strategic direction, culture and policies.
Watson focuses his practice primarily on educational institutions and healthcare. He is active in Kansas City community affairs, currently serving as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Children’s Mercy Hospital Foundation and as Director of the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City. He is also on the Boards of Directors of the Metropolitan Community College Foundation, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the University of Missouri–Kansas City.
A graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School, Watson was recognized earlier this year as a “Law Firm Leader” by Missouri Lawyers Weekly and was named by Savoy Magazine to its “Most Influential Black Lawyers” list in 2015.
“I am honored to receive this award from an esteemed group of leaders who continually set high standards as examples for the next generation of African-American lawyers,” said Watson. He will receive the Managing Partner of the Year Award during a July 31 event at the National Bar Association convention.