Why did you leave Husch Blackwell? Where did you go and what did you do?
The practice of law is rooted in the power of language – from what is codified in statutes, established through case law and negotiated in contracts, to what we convey to our clients through myriad mediums. The influence of language on our everyday lives has always intrigued me and is what drew me to my undergraduate degree in linguistics, rhetoric and writing – and eventually law.
Practicing law was always my goal, but I decided to gain some work experience first. Fresh out of undergrad, I worked as an assistant in the corporate and estate planning practice of a midsize Texas-based law firm that later merged with Husch Blackwell. Shortly after starting there, a paralegal position opened in the firm’s healthcare regulatory practice. I was asked to take the position, and I did. For the next six years, I soaked up as much knowledge and said yes to as many new experiences as I could. Eventually, I knew it was time to take the next step and attend law school.
What prompted your return to Husch Blackwell?
Why I returned is the same reason I stayed for so long: the firm’s amazing attorneys and staff. I am grateful to have worked with them during my formative professional years as a paralegal and am honored to be embraced by them now as a practicing attorney. The attorneys at this firm are top-notch, and I didn’t assume that I’d be viewed similarly. Part of retaining talent is creating a collegial atmosphere where people want to stay – or for us boomerang employees, return – which, in my experience, Husch Blackwell does very well.
What special experiences did you have or new skills did you develop during your time away that benefit Husch Blackwell clients?
With a law degree, I now serve our clients in a different way than I did as a paralegal. My time as a paralegal taught me about the inner workings of a law firm and to appreciate deadlines and details. Law school exposed me to a variety of practice areas – through the subjects I studied and my legal internships – that give me a greater understanding of all the legal issues a client may face.
Between leaving my paralegal position at Husch Blackwell and starting with the firm as an associate, I took advantage of every opportunity to hone the legal skills I would need to be a successful attorney. Even though I knew I would be a transactional attorney, I interned with a federal district judge in Houston to gain exposure to the courtroom, I worked as a contract attorney for the litigation practice at a smaller Texas-based firm, and I served as a research assistant for one my law school professors and as editor-in-chief of one of my law school’s legal journals. The knowledge I gained from these experiences helps inform the work I do for and advice I give our real estate clients.
What was the best change that happened at Husch Blackwell during your time away?
The firm’s expanded focus on diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) in our greater community and within the firm. I’ve enjoyed contributing to the firm’s HB Communities for Change and pro bono work and listening to and learning from our new DE&I leadership. I am proud to be part of a firm that has taken this vital initiative so seriously.