New Developments at HB
2024 Fall Associates
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We’re in the midst of incredible growth at the firm, and our fall associate program is no exception! We recently welcomed our 2024 class of 73 fall associates, an increase of more than 30% over last year’s class and a new record for the firm. Our new colleagues are members of 17 different practice teams and have joined 19 Husch Blackwell offices across the country, representing 11 states and DC. Nearly all of our new recruits are former summer associates from recent years—an experience many of our alumni probably remember quite well.
The class gathered in the St. Louis office for HB Foundations, our fall associate orientation program, from September 16-19, where they had the opportunity to meet Chair Joe Glynias and Chief Executive Jamie Lawless, as well as other firm leadership, business professionals, and St. Louis attorneys. They also heard from a group of established associates with a panel on “What I Wish I Knew When I Was a New Associate” and from the firm’s new director of operations for the General Assignment Associates (GAA) business unit, Brandon Black.
When you think back to your early days at your first firm—whether it was Husch Blackwell or elsewhere in the industry—you probably recall both excitement and trepidation. We know it’s challenging for new J.D. graduates to navigate an Am Law 100 firm, and we’ve taken steps to make the transition easier. Part of our efforts to help new associates integrate into the firm’s culture and structure is Brandon’s role: along with Managing Director Joanna Penn and Chief Growth Officer and GAA SBU Leader Dean Boeschen, Brandon will work directly with the firm’s GAAs to help them develop skills, learn to serve clients effectively, and determine where they best fit within the firm.
The 2024 fall associates returned to their offices for their first week of in-person work on September 23 and were welcomed with a variety on local office events and mentor lunches. Online HB Foundations sessions are ongoing throughout the fall, helping our new team members learn more about the firm and its systems.
We hope this brought back memories of your own early career days…please join us in welcoming our 2024 fall associate class!