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Overview

Maurice, who formerly served as the firm’s Chairman, principally advises educational institutions, including public and private schools and school systems, colleges and universities, and regional and national education associations.

He has represented clients in state and federal courts in complaints brought by employees for employment discrimination, harassment and alleged violations of statutory and constitutional rights and cases filed by students for alleged violations of statutory and constitutional rights with favorable outcomes.

Maurice brings significant leadership experience in the health care and education sectors, having served on numerous community and national boards, including:

  • Children’s Mercy Hospital and Children’s Mercy Hospital Foundation
  • National Association of Children’s Hospitals
  • Saint Luke’s Health System
  • Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City
  • National Association of Independent Schools
  • National School Board Association’s Council of School Attorneys
  • Kansas City Art Institute
  • AIDS Service Foundation

Maurice also advises public, private and nonprofit boards in sensitive investigations of misconduct involving executives, administrators and directors. He regularly speaks at national and regional meetings and conferences on the legal rights of students and employees in the school setting and also works with boards on best governance practices.

As Chairman of Husch Blackwell from 2012-18, he led the firm’s Executive Board and was responsible for the firm’s strategic direction, culture and policies. As the firm’s visible leader and public ambassador, he communicated the firm’s vision and strategic direction to the firm’s clients and the market. Externally, he was responsible for developing and communicating the firm’s strategic direction and ensuring that its policies and culture align with this direction.

Before joining Husch Blackwell, Maurice was a senior aide to U.S. Sen. John Danforth in Washington, D.C.

Industries

Services

Recognition

  • Kansas City Business Journal, Power 100, 2014-2017
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent
  • Missouri Hospital Association Excellence in Governance Award, 2007
  • Missouri Lawyers Weekly, Law Firm Leader, 2018
  • NAACP, Kansas City, Mo., Chapter, Velma E. Woodson Outstanding Leadership Award, 2012
  • Nonprofit Connect Volunteer of the Year Award, 2012  [video]
  • Savoy Magazine, 2015 Most Influential Black Lawyers
  • Urban League of Greater Kansas City, Difference Maker of the Year Award, 2012

Education

  • J.D., Harvard Law School
  • A.B., Harvard University
    • cum laude

Admissions

  • Missouri
  • U.S. District Court, District of Kansas
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • African American Managing Partners Network
  • American Bar Association
  • Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges
  • Civic Council of Greater Kansas City
  • Jackson County Bar Association
  • Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
  • Lawyers’ Association of Kansas City, Board of Directors, 1994-1995
  • Leadership Council on Legal Diversity
  • The Missouri Bar
  • MRIGlobal, Board of Directors, 2016
  • National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions, Board of Trustees, 1997-2003
  • National Association of College and University Attorneys
  • National Association of Independent Schools, Board of Trustees, Secretary, 1995-2003
  • National School Boards Association, Council of School Attorneys, Board of Directors, 2008-2012
Media Mentions | September 17, 2018
Kansas City Star Influencer Series: Shielding LGBTQ people from discrimination: What stands in the way?

Jeff Simon and Maurice Watson discuss state law protections for LGBTQ individuals and barriers that stand in the way.

Media Mentions | August 15, 2018
Kansas City Business Journal: Help us find and showcase KC's LGBTQ-owned companies

"We are fortunately at a time and moment in our history, I think the point has tipped where people are not shy when folks are open, confident and comfortable with being who they are — be that gay, lesbian, transgender, queer."--Maurice Watson

Media Mentions | July 30, 2018
Kansas City Star Influencer Series: Here's what Missouri Influencers have to say about gun control and gun rights

Jeff Simon and Maurice Watson comment on gun rights/gun control as part of "The Influencer Series."

Media Mentions | July 16, 2018
Kansas City Star Influencer Series: Here's what Influencers had to say about universal pre-K, other education issues

Maurice Watson and Jeff Simon provide their thoughts on how investments in education make a profound impact on states and local communities.

News Releases | June 11, 2018
Maurice Watson Recognized as Managing Partner of the Year By AANP

The African American Managing Partners Network will honor Husch Blackwell partner Maurice Watson as its “Managing Partner of the Year.”

Media Mentions | June 06, 2018
Kansas City Star: The Influencer Series

Jeff Simon and Maurice Watson were interviewed for a Kansas City Star multimedia package called “The Influencer Series.”

Community Leadership
  • AIDS Service Foundation, Board of Directors, 2006-2012
  • The Barstow School, Board of Trustees, President, 1989-1996
  • Children’s Mercy Hospital, Board of Directors, Chair, 1993-2007
  • Children’s Mercy Hospital Foundation, Board of Trustees, Vice Chair, 2002-2007, 2012-present
  • Civic Council of Greater Kansas City, Director, 2014-present
  • Harry S. Truman Library Institute, Board of Directors, 2008-2017, Board Secretary, 2015-2017
  • Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City, Community Advisory Board, 2005-2006
  • Kansas City Art Institute, Board of Trustees, 2008-2014
  • Kansas City Ballet, Board of Directors, Executive Committee, 2001-2007
  • Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors, 2012-2016
  • Metropolitan Community College Foundation, Board of Directors, 2011-present
  • Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Board of Trustees, 2012-present
  • University of Missouri-Kansas City, Board of Trustees, 2012-present