Why did you leave Husch Blackwell? Where did you go and what did you do?
I came to the firm as a summer associate in May 2018 and was offered full-time employment in September 2019 after graduating from law school and passing the bar. Four months into my professional practice, I received a call from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law asking if I’d be interested in a nine-month clerkship with the Hon. Sarah E. Pitlyk, U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri. The judge had just been confirmed by the Senate and needed a clerk to start immediately. One of my professors knew her and recommended me. It was the result of fortuitous circumstances – and an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.
The clerkship involved working in chambers with the judge and assisting her with legal research, writing and docket management. My co-clerks and I also helped the judge assess the strengths of the parties’ legal theories and arguments.
What prompted your return to Husch Blackwell?
Some people leave their firms to pursue other professional opportunities, but this clerkship was more of a pit stop for me. While there was no obligation that I return to Husch Blackwell after the clerkship, everyone was on the same page that I would regardless.
What special experiences did you have/new skills did you develop during your time away that benefit Husch Blackwell clients?
The clerkship was an opportunity to witness firsthand how judges decide cases. I also knew I would develop a number of important skills that would transfer to my complex commercial litigation practice.
Everything I learned during the experience permeates throughout what I do. I walked away with an improved understanding of what makes hard decisions easier for the judge and what will lead to a favorable outcome for the client, including expressing arguments so they’re crisp and clear.
In retrospect, what is one thing you missed about Husch Blackwell?
Certainly my team, but I also missed the competitive side of litigation. Working with the judge was more objective because we were trying to find the right answer for a particular case. In private practice, I’m trying to find the winning answer for our clients.
What was the best change that happened at Husch Blackwell during your time away?
Husch Blackwell took COVID-19 in stride and used it as an opportunity to reevaluate its approach to remote working. While I still prefer being in the office, the firm has made it easier to balance working in the office and working from home, adding a level of flexibility that makes the firm even more dynamic and effective.