Husch Blackwell announces that the firm has commenced a national search for its next chief executive. The firm has engaged Calibrate Consulting, Inc. to execute the search with a focus on candidates who have demonstrated success in the areas of strategy development, inclusive leadership, effective communications, business acumen and sound financial growth. The firm has requested that interested professionals respond by October 30, 2022.
After 15 years in law firm leadership, Paul Eberle announced his intention to leave the role in the first quarter of 2024. Eberle’s planned departure begins a succession plan focused on hiring his successor as part of an orderly transition period. Eberle has the distinction of being one of a very select few non-lawyers to lead a large U.S. law firm. He joined Husch Blackwell in 2016 when the firm combined with Milwaukee-based Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek, where he had served as that firm’s chief executive since 2009.
“Having an experienced and gifted chief executive run the business just makes sense,” said Catherine Hanaway, Husch Blackwell’s chair. “It allows the owners of the business—our partners—to do the thing they are good at, which is the practice of law, and it enables us to tap into business perspectives that practicing lawyers might not routinely consider.”
Husch Blackwell has consistently increased its revenue, headcount and geographic footprint over the last five years and is currently 91st in The American Lawyer’s annual ranking of the largest U.S. law firms.