Husch Blackwell’s Rankings Grow in the 2023 Edition of Chambers USA

Chambers USA recognized 73 Husch Blackwell attorneys in the 2023 guide released today, an increase of 14 ranked attorneys from 2022. In addition, 18 lawyers earned Chambers USA rankings for the first time.

Chambers also ranked Husch Blackwell in 34 departments spanning 17 of the firm’s practice areas with the firm’s Toxic Tort and Land Use practices earning first-time rankings.

Client feedback featured in the Chambers USA 2023 guide highlights Husch Blackwell’s dedication to resolving client issues and delivering exceptional client service.

The firm is recognized in:

Banking & Finance

• Colorado: Husch Blackwell’s team is noted for its capabilities in real estate financings and lending transactions. “The team has notable experience of acting for financial institutions and REITs on a range of complex matters arising from high-value acquisitions. They are routinely called upon to provide counsel on credit facility agreements, as well as refinancings.” One client said, “The group provides reliable counsel, and the attorneys have longstanding experience in their respective areas of practice.”
• Wisconsin: Husch Blackwell handles a variety of commercial and public finance matters, ranging across complex financing transactions to tax credit and abatement issues, due diligence, and intercreditor agreements. “They have always found the right resource for every question I have asked or every issue we needed handled,” said one client. “Their availability makes them an extension of our own team,” said another.

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.” Says one client, “The team is extremely knowledgeable and always ensures that their clients receive the best guidance possible.” Another client notes, “The group is able to handle complex regulatory and transactional matters, and they provide high-quality service.”

Corporate/Commercial

• Nebraska: Chambers noted that the firm “boasts a distinguished corporate and commercial offering with considerable experience across a wide array of sector concerns,” with “commendable experience working with clients from the renewable fuel, energy, and agribusiness sectors.” “The Husch Blackwell team has varied areas of special skills and knowledge,” states one client.

Corporate/M&A

• Kansas City and St. Louis: The team is “well placed to advise on large and complex transactions and regularly assists private and public companies with multimillion-dollar matters.” Noting the firm represents major clients in the food, agriculture, manufacturing, and energy industries, one pleased client said, “I am always impressed at the depth of Husch Blackwell’s specialist bench. Even for extremely unique and complex issues, they have great lawyers ready to assist.”
• Wisconsin: Husch Blackwell “has a sophisticated corporate law team acting for a broad client base, ranging from small local businesses to large global corporations.” Attorneys are “well versed in a broad array of matters, including M&A, joint ventures, private equity transactions, and licensing issues,” with “experience in corporate financing matters,” according to Chambers. One client said, “The firm has extremely talented partners who are all trained to handle complex issues. They also have a unique ability to communicate complex legal issues into strategic business sense.”

Energy State Regulatory & Litigation (Electricity)

• Texas: Husch Blackwell is “regularly engaged for their expertise in energy regulatory matters in Texas. The team regularly appears in regulatory proceedings before ERCOT and the PUC” and “possess[es] additional strength advising on policy compliance.” Says one client, “I’m impressed with the firm’s ability to navigate complex matters with knowledge and confidence. The team’s service level and responsiveness are excellent.”

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.” States one satisfied source, “Husch Blackwell’s environmental attorneys are very sophisticated, responsive, and knowledgeable.”

Government Contracts

• USA Nationwide | Highly Regarded: According to Chambers, the Husch Blackwell team is “a well-respected team noted for its expertise in advising on construction contracting matters,” and that it is “routinely called upon by government contractors to assist with significant issues, including bid protests before the GAO, contract administration matters, and False Claims Act investigations.” It further cites the team’s “experience providing counsel to contractors assisting with state and federal healthcare programs.” One client said, “Husch Blackwell provides a top-notch, strategic approach to difficult and complex matters. They provide a sound approach while always respecting the client’s goals and wishes.” Another client noted, “Their knowledge of the subject area and their understanding of the unique and nuanced business relationships their clients have with the government are terrific.”

Healthcare

• Massachusetts*: Husch Blackwell’s team “assists a range of healthcare clients, including those in telemedicine, patient transportation, and staffing, with contract agreements and licensing matters, among a wide variety of other issues.” Said one client, “Husch Blackwell is able to bring whatever specialists we need, given the current challenge we are facing.”
• Missouri: Husch Blackwell enjoys an excellent reputation for the strength of its healthcare practice, drawing from a “strong pool of expert attorneys with a wealth of experience in the healthcare sector.” One happy client stated, “The team’s responsiveness is excellent, and the lawyers are well versed in business realities and balancing that within a legal framework.”
• Texas: Chambers said Husch Blackwell is a “standout healthcare group representing clients in transactional and regulatory matters” with “expertise in healthcare fraud and abuse issues, governance, and telemedicine.” Notes an industry source, “The team takes the time to understand the overall corporate structure and culture of a client’s organization in order for it to be effective.”
• USA Nationwide | Highly Regarded: Husch Blackwell’s team “fields significant experience in disputes such as litigation arising from Medicare fraud” and is “noted for its expertise in transactions such as M&A, as well as advising on regulatory concerns arising from HIPAA and telemedicine issues.”  Said one client, “Husch Blackwell has deep, well-informed resources within their team. They excellently handle our issues with confidence and confidentiality.”

Insurance

• Missouri: Husch Blackwell is recognized for its representation of clients “across a wide range of matters, including coverage disputes, insurance sector transactions, and regulatory compliance issues.” The team is also ranked in Insurance: Transactional & Regulatory.
• Texas: Chambers notes that the firm “represents major insurers in D&O, property damage, and business interruption matters, among others. It also advises clients on regulatory matters.” Says one client, “Husch Blackwell has proven to be a tremendous partner on a wide range of matters, but particularly those that are complex and sophisticated.”

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,” offering “advice on copyright, trademarks, and licensing issues,” and represents clients across a range of industries including distribution, engineering, and agribusiness. The firm “also holds strong expertise in the area of trade secrets, becoming increasingly involved in data, contract, and security disputes.” One client notes, “The team is very aware of the current market environment as well as regulatory updates.”

International Trade Export Controls & Economic Sanctions

• USA Nationwide | Highly Regarded: Husch Blackwell “has solid skills in representing clients in export controls and economic sanctions matters. The firm’s lawyers have expertise in the technology, manufacturing, and transportation sectors, among others,” according to Chambers’ notes. “The firm anticipates clients’ needs and provides clear, concise, and business-minded advice in a very timely fashion,” says one client. Another client noted, “The firm makes us aware of developing issues so that we can strategize appropriately.”

Labor & Employment

• Colorado: Chambers states that Husch Blackwell is “a strong choice to handle business-critical litigation on behalf of employers. The firm’s expertise encompasses trade secret, discrimination, and retaliation claims, among others.” One source said, “They can be trusted to handle even the most complex matters yet communicate the process and desired results in simple terms.”
• 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 and advises on labor law issues that include negotiations with unions and the NLRB.” The firm also “offers experience in ERISA litigation and trade secret disputes. One client noted, “Husch has always strived to handle our matters efficiently and with the least amount of disruption to our business. The attorneys are always ready to assist and prioritize communication and timely responses.”
• Wisconsin*: Chambers states that Husch Blackwell is a “well-reputed firm noted for its labor and employment offering. The firm is sought after by clients for their expertise in matters associated with M&A transactions. The team is well versed in handling class actions and advising on issues relating to restrictive covenants.” One client said, “The team goes out of its way to anticipate our needs and use its knowledge to strategize and foresee next steps.”

Litigation

• Austin (General Commercial): Chambers said that Husch Blackwell has a notable commercial litigation practice offering experienced handling of fraud, breach of contract, and bankruptcy-related claims” and is “sought after by clients in the engineering, healthcare, and financial services sectors,” among others. “They are strategic, aggressive, and have a clear understanding of the law and facts relevant to our matter,” indicated one client.
• Kansas City* and St. Louis (General Commercial) and Missouri (White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations): Chambers said the firm “enjoys a premier reputation for the strength of its contentious capabilities. The firm has an impressive record of representing clients across the pharmaceutical, healthcare, transportation, and agriculture industries and is regularly sought out for advice on whistle-blower complaints, theft of trade secrets, and healthcare-related investigations.” “They are staffed with highly talented attorneys that exceed our expectations. They are responsive and work with us to provide solutions that are practical,” said one pleased client.

Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations

• Missouri: Chambers said the firm “enjoys a premier reputation for the strength of its contentious capabilities. Areas of strength include class actions as well as fraud and insurance-related matters. The firm has an impressive record of representing clients across the pharmaceutical, healthcare, transportation, and agriculture industries and is regularly sought out for advice on whistle-blower complaints, theft of trade secrets, and healthcare-related investigations.” “They are staffed with highly talented attorneys that exceed our expectations. They are responsive and work with us to provide solutions that are practical,” said one pleased client.

Product Liability: Toxic Torts*

• USA Nationwide: Chambers cited the firm for its “considerable expertise handling asbestos exposure litigation often involving multiple state court actions, drawing on its nationwide reach. The firm is frequently called upon to act in a national coordinating role as well as handling representation in trial and settlement negotiations.” Chambers also said the firm “regularly acts for clients in the manufacturing, agriculture, and healthcare sectors, among others.” Says one client, “It’s like talking to a trusted friend. I can get straightforward answers that take our business into account. They provide an accessible and reliable service.”

Real Estate

• Colorado: 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 that the team is “increasingly active in PPP redevelopment work and smart city communities” and “serves a varied client roster that includes REITs and developers.” Chambers noted that the firm “provides more specialized services to projects associated with zoning and land use.” A client says, “New and novel issues can arise in sophisticated transactions and Husch Blackwell has the depth of experience to successfully assess stumbling blocks, pivot, and address as necessary.”
• St. Louis: Chambers cites an “outstanding team in St. Louis with a strong reputation for representing developers on complex projects involving tax credits and incentives and has experience handling PPP projects” and an “impressive track record providing counsel to both municipalities and corporations” with “deep sector expertise in housing, technology, and sport” and the capability to advise on real estate matters throughout the USA. Clients say, “The Husch Blackwell team provides best-in-class service on commercial real estate transactions.”
• Tennessee*: Chambers said Husch Blackwell “has a team of well-known real estate lawyers offering their expertise on a variety of matters. The firm is adept at handling corporate real estate deals as well as advising on major development projects in the region. The group acts for manufacturers and healthcare groups, amongst others.” One client said, “The team is strong at adapting style to meet our needs and is always very strong at ensuring that our needs in a transaction are covered. When dealing with challenging transactions their ability to communicate amongst their team towards effective solutions is second to none.”
• Texas: Husch Blackwell’s team provides high-quality counsel to a host of clients on a range of transactional matters, says Chambers. “They are adept at advising on development, regulatory, and environmental matters related to projects. The group has considerable expertise in the energy market, whereby they assist clients through complex financial matters. Additionally, Husch Blackwell complements its real estate practice with further strength in advising clients on zoning and land use issues.” One client says, “They see a good amount of deal flow and know what we should expect when negotiating with another party.” Another states simply, “Excellent knowledge in real estate contract law.”
• Wisconsin: Chambers said that Husch Blackwell “hosts a robust and respected real estate team, with experience in many areas of real estate, including financing, zoning, leasing, and property acquisitions and divestitures. The team exhibits clout in New Market Tax Credits, construction loans, and tax incremental financing.” Chambers also notes that “the department can assist with governance issues. The firm works for a range of noted clients in the areas of health, telecommunications, education, and real estate development.”

Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use*

• Texas: Chambers said Husch Blackwell “provides high-quality counsel to a host of clients on a range of transactional matters. It is adept at advising on development, regulatory, and environmental matters related to projects.” Chambers notes that the firm “has considerable expertise in the energy market, where it assists clients through complex financial matters. Husch Blackwell complements its real estate practice with further strength in advising clients on zoning and land use issues.”

Individual attorneys recognized by Chambers are:

Colorado

• *Steve Agee – Banking & Finance – Band 2
• *Andrea Austin – Real Estate – Band 3
• Daniel Bray – Banking & Finance – Band 2
• Barbara Grandjean – Labor & Employment – Band 2
• *Ashley Jordaan – Labor & Employment – Band 3
• Kevin Kelley – Real Estate – Band 1
• Christopher Ottele – Labor & Employment – Band 3

Missouri

• *Michael Annis – Intellectual Property – Band 3
• Curt Chase – Healthcare – Band 1
• Catherine Hanaway – Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations – Band 2
• Sarah Hellmann – Healthcare – Band 2
• Jennifer Hoekel – Intellectual Property – Band 3
• Jeff Jensen – Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations – Band 2
• *Michael Martinich-Sauter – Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations – Up and Coming
• Jason Reschly – Tax – Band 1
• *Christopher Smith – Healthcare – Band 2
• Rudolph Telscher – Intellectual Property – Band 2
• Harvey Tettlebaum – Healthcare – Band 2
• Cori Turner – Healthcare – Band 2

Kansas City

• James Ash – Corporate/M&A – Senior Statespeople
• Paul Pautler – Labor & Employment – Band 3
• Kirstin Salzman – Corporate/M&A – Band 3
• *Jeffrey Simon – Litigation: General Commercial – Band 4
• Julianne Story – Labor & Employment – Band 3
• Charles Renner – Real Estate – Band 2
• Edward Wilson – Corporate/M&A – Band 2

St. Louis

• Christopher Erker – Environment – Band 1
• Josef Glynias – Labor & Employment – Band 2
• Courtney Hill – Real Estate – Band 3
• *William Hof – Real Estate – Band 3
• David Linenbroker – Real Estate – Band 1
• James Monafo – Labor & Employment – Band 3
• Mary Anne O’Connell – Corporate/M&A – Band 2
• David Richardson – Real Estate – Band 2
• Matthew Schneider – Corporate/M&A – Band 3
• Gregory Smith – Real Estate – Senior Statespeople
• Melissa Smith-Groff – Real Estate – Band 3
• Robert Tomaso – Labor & Employment – Eminent Practitioners
• Amy Wachs – Environment – Band 1

Nebraska

• David Gardels – Corporate/Commercial – Band 1
• Marnie Jensen – Litigation: General Commercial – Band 3
• Victoria Sitz – Corporate/Commercial – Band 1

Texas

• Diane Carter – Healthcare – Band 2
• *Michael Crowe – Healthcare – Band 4
• Scott Davis – Insurance – Band 4
• Joseph Geraci – Healthcare – Band 2
• David Hilgers – Healthcare – Senior Statespeople
• R. Tyler Johnson – Real Estate – Band 4
• Hal Katz – Healthcare – Band 1
• Nikelle Meade – Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use – Band 3
• Chris Reeder – Energy: State Regulatory & Litigation (Electricity) – Band 3
• *Reuben Rosof – Banking & Finance – Band 5
• David Timmins – Insurance – Band 4

USA Nationwide

• Marshall Custer – Cannabis Law: Western United States – Band 3
• *Jennifer Dlugosz – Product Liability: Toxic Torts – Band 1
• *Kyle Gilster – Political Law – Band 4
• Beau Jackson – International Trade: Intellectual Property (Section 337) – Up and Coming
• Tessa Jacob – E-Discovery & Information Governance – Band 3
• *Jennifer Lee – Product Liability: Toxic Torts – Band 1
• Steve Levine – Cannabis Law: Western United States – Band 1
• *J.Y. Miller – Product Liability: Toxic Torts – Band 1
• Cortney O’Toole Morgan – International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions – Band 5
• *Hal Perloff – Government Contracts – Band 5
• *Davis Stauss – Privacy & Data Security – Band 6
• Brain Waagner – Government Contracts – Band 4
• Linda Walsh – Energy: Electricity (Regulatory & Litigation) – Band 4

Wisconsin

• Bradley Dallet – Real Estate – Band 3
• *David Eckhardt – Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation – Band 2
• Hal Karas – Real Estate – Senior Statespeople
• Phil Koutnik – Corporate/M&A – Band 3
• Rebecca Mitich – Real Estate – Band 2
• Lynda Templen – Banking & Finance – Band 3
• *Nathan Volz – Banking & Finance – Band 3

*Indicates practices and attorneys previously not ranked by Chambers USA

Chambers and Partners, which publishes Chambers USA, develops its ranking by utilizing a team of over 200 research analysts who assess lawyers and law firms across the USA, conducting thousands of one-on-one interviews per year with in-house counsel and third-party experts. The team identifies and ranks the world’s best lawyers and legal departments according to the criteria most valued by clients: commercial awareness, cross-border capabilities, value and delivery to budget, and client service.