The Legal 500 United States 2023 recommends Husch Blackwell as a “Top Tier Firm” in Education for the third consecutive year and has recommended the firm in 11 additional practice areas:
- Cannabis
- E-discovery
- Energy: Renewable/alternative power
- Government contracts
- Healthcare: Service providers
- Intellectual property - Patents: litigation (International Trade Commission)
- Labor and employment: Immigration
- M&A: middle-market (sub-$500 million)
- Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: toxic tort
- Real estate
- Real estate finance
In addition, the firm earned “Firms to Watch” distinctions in International Trade: Customs, export controls and economic sanctions and International Trade: Trade remedies and trade policy.
Partners Lisa Parker, Steve Levine and Marshall Custer were recognized as “Leading lawyers” in Education (Parker) and Cannabis (Levine and Custer). Megan Beebe and Alyssa Samuel were recognized as “Rising stars” for Cannabis.
Of the firm’s Education practice, The Legal 500 notes the “coast-to-coast team offers a strong regulatory and compliance focus, servicing all facets of the industry, including public institutions, state university systems, private institutions, specialty, religious, and for-profit institutions, specialized accrediting agencies, and K-12 school districts.” The ranking also notes the contributions of Parker as well as partners Hayley Hanson, Sean Tassi, Derek Teeter, Scott Schneider, Julie Miceli, Jason Montgomery and Michael Raupp. Husch Blackwell is one of only four law firms to garner a 2023 ranking for its Education practice in Legal 500’s highest tier.
The firm’s Cannabis practice “handles regulatory and transactional work, and has overseen cannabis as well as industrial hemp regulatory mandates across all 50 states.” In addition to Levine, Custer, Beebe and Samuel, the ranking also mentions the work of Lindy Martinez and Yuefan Wang. One client noted, “We would not be were we are today as a company without the guidance and support that Husch Blackwell has provided us.”
Husch Blackwell’s eDiscovery team is “highly active in litigation, with experience in a broad range of matters including IP disputes, breaches of contract, and class-action lawsuits.” The debut ranking notes practice co-leaders Tessa Jacob and Steve Neeley, as well as Taylor Concannon Hausmann.
Husch Blackwell’s energy & natural resources team is “well known for its capabilities in tax related matters, and is also experienced with project and tax equity finance, energy regulatory matters and M&A.” The ranking mentions practice leader Anna Kimbrell as well as Megan Caldwell, Linda Walsh, David Gardels, Robert Joseph, Mashaal Bhaidani and Chris Peterson.
The firm’s “very knowledgeable” Government Contracts team is “particularly known for its strong litigation offering, with a proven track record in bid protests and disputes before federal courts. Alongside this practice, the group assists contractor and subcontractors with compliance matters, government investigations and federal and state government healthcare programs.” Practice leader Brian Waagner, as well as Hal Perloff, Steven Neeley and Michael Schrier, were noted.
Husch Blackwell’s Healthcare Providers exhibits “incredible legal talent.” The ranking noted Healthcare team lead Curt Chase as well as Hal Katz, Ellee Cochran, Robert Blaisdell and Tom Shorter. One client notes, “The team works together seamlessly, and their responsiveness is incredible. I would feel as if I was on an island without them.”
Earning a ranking for the first time, the firm’s Section 337 practice "works as part of a wider international trade team of the firm, allowing the individuals access to broader experience. The work of the team spans industries, with clients including leaders in the biotech, automotive, shoe manufacturing, and vaping cartridge spaces.” The ranking highlights practice leader Beau Jackson and Jennifer Hoekel.
Husch Blackwell's Immigration practice “represents a breadth of clients across the education, energy, food and agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing and telecommunications industries.” The Legal 500 noted co-leaders Kelli Meilink and Christine Fabin.
“Small and mid-size companies entrust” Husch Blackwell’s Mergers & Acquisitions group “with their most significant M&A, contractual issues and corporate governance matters.” One client said Husch Blackwell is a “strong, comprehensive team that can handle the details and the overall strategy for transactions,” while another added the firm provides “exceptional client service” while bringing a “thoughtful, pragmatic approach to dealmaking while protecting our interests.” Practice lead Kirstin Salzman, Edward Wilson, Steven Carman, John Moore, Philip Koutnik and Ashley Edwards were all highlighted .
Husch Blackwell’s Toxic Tort team, which is “traditionally very strong out of its St Louis office, and continuing to broaden its geographic reach,” the firm is “ increasingly taking on national roles in toxic tort matters, alongside more regional mandates.” The Legal 500 notes the team “remains particular effective in handling asbestos litigation where it is noted for its ability to provide ‘strategic solutions that are innovative and practical.’” The rankings highlight practice leaders J.Y. Miller and Brandan Mueller as well as Jennifer Dlugosz, Jennifer Lee, Francis LoCoco, Melissa Merlin, Frederic Norris, Lisa Oberg, Joseph Orlet and Mark Zellmer.
The Legal 500 notes that the firm’s Real Estate practice “concentrates on REIT transactions and funds, corporate real estate, retail, logistics, telecoms facilities and stadium development, land use and opportunity zones.” Kevin Kelley, Charles Renner, David Linenbroker and David Richardson are highlighted. One client said, “The team at Husch Blackwell is top-notch. Every person I encountered was friendly, knowledgeable and professional…When new issues arose outside of the initial scope, the team was able to bring in additional lawyers to assist in a timely and cost-efficient manner.”
Earning a ranking for the first time, the firm’s Real Estate Finance practice “largely focuses on advising lenders and borrowers throughout the Midwest, West and Mid-South on real estate debt financing, including construction, bridge, mezzanine, term and syndicated loans.” Practice leader Dan Bray was noted for his experience in “loans secured by multifamily, office, industrial, self storage, resort and retail, and senior housing properties.”
The Legal 500 is also keeping tabs on two Husch Blackwell International Trade practices that received “Firms to Watch” designations:
- The Export Controls practice "punches above its weight in the export controls and economic sanctions spheres. The team has a particular focus on US sanctions programs concerning Cuba, Iran, Russia and Venezuela, as well as US entity list restrictions.”
- The Trade Remedies team “houses a growing trade remedies practice, which added six new clients over the past year. Senior counsel Jeffrey Neeley steers a team that is particularly noted for its experience in matters related to China, India, and East Asia.”
The Legal 500 analyzes and ranks the capabilities of law firms around the world in over 150 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.