The Legal 500 United States 2021 recommends Husch Blackwell as a “Top Tier Firm” in Education and has recommended the firm in five other practice areas: Cannabis, Government Contracts, Energy: Renewable/Alternative Power, M&A: Middle-Market (Sub-$500 million), and Real Estate. Partners Lisa Parker and Steve Levine were recognized as “Leading Lawyers” in Education and Cannabis, respectively; Meghan Brennan was recognized as a “Rising Star” in Cannabis.
Of the firm’s Education practice, Legal 500 notes, “‘well-respected’ education powerhouse Husch Blackwell LLP has a multi-state presence and a deep bench of experts handling the full gamut of education law matters, with particular strength in Title IX independent reviews.” The ranking also notes the contributions of Parker as well as partners Hayley Hanson, Derek Teeter, Julie Miceli and Scott Schneider. Husch Blackwell was one of only four law firms to garner a ranking for its Education practice in Legal 500’s highest tier.
Husch Blackwell’s Cannabis practice “is well regarded for its ‘experience with cannabis in multiple states as well as its impressive connectivity to regulators.’ ” In addition to Levine and Brennan, Marshall Custer was mentioned as a key lawyer in the group.
The firm’s Renewable Energy team “provides ‘practical and pragmatic advice’ to developers, tax credit investors and lenders engaged in solar, wind and battery storage projects,” noting “although the firm is active in deals throughout the country, it has gained particular praise from clients in relation to Texas-based matters which require knowledge of the state's unique regulatory requirements.” The ranking mentions practice head John Crossley as well as Jim Goettsch, Maria Faconti, Kaitlyn DeYoung, and Chris Reeder as key lawyers.
The firm’s Government Contracts group “has notable expertise handling federal construction contracting matters. In addition to representing clients in contract disputes and claims litigation, the department is well placed to advise on all phases of the procurement and contract administration processes.” Practice heads Hal Perloff and Brian Waagner, as well as Steven Neeley and William Hughes, were noted.
Husch Blackwell’s Mergers & Acquisitions group was cited for middle-market (sub-$500 million) M&A work. Legal 500 said the firm has “a notably strong presence in the Midwest, acting on a national scale for clients based in the region and for international clients seeking to buy or sell businesses in the Midwest,” calling out Kirstin Salzman, Jim Goettsch and Mary Anne O’Connell as key lawyers.
Legal 500 notes that the firm’s Real Estate practice, led by Carrie Hermeling, is “well-regarded for corporate real estate transactions, social infrastructure developments and property litigation with distinguished expertise in public-private partnership projects and deals involving stadiums and sporting arenas.”
The Legal 500 United States assesses and ranks the capabilities of law firms around the world in over 100 jurisdictions with a comprehensive research program. The rankings highlight practice area teams that provide “the most cutting edge and innovative advice to corporate counsel.” Research is based on feedback from 300,000 law firm clients worldwide, submissions from law firms and interviews with leading private practice lawyers.