New Developments at HB

HB Again Achieves Mansfield Certification Plus

Husch Blackwell has achieved the Mansfield Certification Plus designation for the third consecutive year.

To receive Mansfield Certification, law firms must consider at least 30 percent women, attorneys of color or LGBTQ+ attorneys and lawyers with disabilities for 70 percent or more of the firm’s leadership positions, equity partner promotions, formal client pitch opportunities, and senior lateral positions. Husch Blackwell was awarded a “Plus” distinction for the third year in a row indicating that, in addition to meeting or exceeding the baseline certification requirements, it has successfully reached at least 30 percent underrepresented lawyer representation in a notable number of its current leadership roles.

The Mansfield Certification program is operated by Diversity Lab, an incubator for innovative ideas and solutions that boost diversity and inclusion in law. The program’s goal is to boost the representation of diverse lawyers in law firm leadership by broadening the pool of candidates considered for these opportunities.

HB Opens New England Offices

Husch Blackwell has opened new offices in Boston, Massachusetts, and Providence, Rhode Island. The launch, announced in July, brings the firm’s total offices to 25 nationwide.

The healthcare-focused expansion into New England coincides with a strong year for the firm’s healthcare industry team. In June, Husch Blackwell scored a national ranking from Chambers USA for top healthcare law firms, and in July the firm moved into the top five of the American Health Law Association’s annual ranking. Members of Husch Blackwell’s Healthcare group also serve as Chair of the American Bar Association’s Health Law Section and as President-Elect Designate of the American Health Law Association.

“This combination both enhances our bench strength and opens up opportunities for us in New England, which is one of the leading markets for healthcare services and a place we have long wanted to plant a flag,” said Husch Blackwell partner Curt Chase.

The newly arrived lawyers from Summit Health Law Partners bring to the firm strong client relationships throughout New England and are established legal practitioners in the areas of contracting, transactions, and federal and state healthcare regulatory law, particularly in navigating Massachusetts’ complex healthcare regulatory environment. They routinely assist hospitals and health systems, academic medical centers, eldercare facilities, behavioral health clinics, pharmacies, and physician groups, among others, across all areas of business operations.

HB’s Virtual Office Turns 1 and It’s Thriving!

On July 1, Husch Blackwell’s virtual office, The Link, marked its one-year anniversary. With early concerns that a virtual office would mean a loss of engagement, Link members focused from the beginning on building the infrastructure necessary to support attorneys and staff and keep them connected. The end result has been an enthusiastic team that feels better connected and more engaged than might be the case in a traditional office.

“The Link has proven that you don’t give up culture by not being in a physical office,” Office Managing Partner J.Y. Miller said. “Instead, you can make it even stronger. Link members have been very intentional about building the fabric to maintain Husch Blackwell’s culture.”

Chief Administrative Officer Bret Chapman had been considering how best to approach an office like The Link for years. When the COVID-19 pandemic switched the entire firm to a temporary remote status last spring, Chapman saw a natural opportunity and approached Miller about leading a new all-remote office. Miller and his team of toxic tort attorneys were enthusiastic about the challenge.

“We’d already seen that we could work more efficiently and increase connectivity between team members by integrating new technology into our workflows and our practice,” Miller noted.

The reopening of firm offices and client offices has only increased the benefits of a remote work strategy. “The Link is not about never being in the office,” Miller said. “It’s about being wherever you need to be.” Some days, that may be in a Husch Blackwell office; some days, that may be visiting a client; and some days, that may be working from home.”

The Link, which has grown to more than 100 professionals, has made its participants more efficient and improved their quality of life, and it’s been good for the firm as well. With no geographic limitations on hiring, the firm has been able to attract professionals from across the country and develop a presence in significantly more states. Moreover, “Clients see us as innovative because we’re the first AmLaw 100 firm to have a full-time virtual office,” said Miller. “Many have commended us for taking this leap.”

Diversity & Inclusion Update

HB Achieves HRC 100% for Sixth Consecutive Year
Husch Blackwell is proud to have achieved a perfect score on Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI) for the sixth consecutive year. The CEI is the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality.

HB Launches DEO Voluntary Personal Identification Audit & Survey
To further efforts toward a culture of inclusion, the firm launched a Voluntary Personal Identification Information Audit & Survey, which includes expanded diversity dimensions not captured by EEO categories. This voluntary survey data informs HB on how to broaden diversity-, equity- and inclusion-focused programming and initiatives to best meet the needs of all firm personnel.

HB Expands Its Affinity Groups/ERGs
As industries pivoted to working from home in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, HB attorneys organically came together to form supportive groups in an effort to remain connected. The firm, which recognizes and supports the natural coalescing of such groups, made additional space for them to continue to grow in the direction that best suits their collective. HB now has the following affinity groups: African American/Black; Allies; Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern and North African; HB Unidos (Hispanic/Latinx); LGBTQ+; HB Vets; Wellness; and Women.

Pro Bono Update

The HB Pro Bono Team is currently preparing celebrations for National Pro Bono Week, October 24-30, an initiative for showcasing the contributions pro bono work makes to our communities. National Pro Bono Week was launched in 2009 because of the increased need for pro bono services during harsh economic times. This past year, HB attorneys and professionals helped vulnerable populations, minority-owned small businesses and nonprofits facing legal challenges. During Pro Bono Week this year, we are celebrating how as one firm we made a big difference helping our pro bono clients navigate these legal challenges.

During National Pro Bono Week, in particular, the firm will recognize the extraordinary contributions of our attorneys and professionals in numerous pro bono efforts. In 2021, Husch Blackwell professionals contributed thousands of pro bono hours to help meet a wide variety of needs across the country, including but not limited to:

• Fighting for justice for the wrongfully convicted
• Assisting with rent and lease issues for tenants unable to make their monthly payments due to the pandemic
• Taking on legal work in association with the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance
• Providing advice to small businesses, entrepreneurs and nonprofits facing various legal challenges
• Bringing families together through adoption

Late last year, we launched our Communities for Change Pro Bono Initiative to represent minority businesses. We took on our first engagement in January and are now closing in on 50 Communities for Change clients. This work spans numerous legal services, including employment law, intellectual property, corporate formation and business certifications.

Read more Husch Blackwell news.