Alumni Spotlight - Madison Office

Join us in welcoming Jeff Vercauteren back to #TeamHB!

We talked with Jeff about his career path and return to Husch Blackwell:

Describe your history with Husch Blackwell.

I joined Husch Blackwell through its legacy firm, Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek, in 2014. When HB merged with WHD in 2016, I stayed with the firm until 2019 then went in-house with a client, Invenergy LLC, as Associate General Counsel for Permitting & Local Affairs. My career then took me to Vanguard Renewables and RWE Clean Energy, where I was most recently Director of Real Estate & Permitting Law. In May 2024, I returned to HB, and it feels like a homecoming. I'm thrilled to be part of this innovative firm and the Husch Blackwell Energy & Natural Resources Industry Group.

What led you to your in-house positions, and how was your experience at Husch Blackwell useful in those roles?

I was drawn to in-house legal work to deeply understand and support a single business. My time at HB equipped me with exceptional client service skills, allowing me to fulfill the needs of my role effectively while supporting other business units. I refined these skills at HB and applied them to my in-house roles, making a positive impact on the company’s performance.

Why did you decide to rejoin the firm?

I decided to return to Husch Blackwell for several reasons. As an AmLaw 100 law firm with over 1,000 attorneys, the legal talent is impressive, and the firm offers an excellent platform for my practice to grow and evolve. Additionally, the uncommon firm culture stands out. The firm offers flexible work arrangements, ERGs and cutting-edge office spaces, all of which create a supportive environment. I am passionate about the legal work we do. The renewable energy industry is rapidly evolving, and I get to work on a diverse range of projects for our clients. This environment motivates me to grow and excel as an attorney.

Share any emerging trends that you’re seeing in your practice area.

In my practice areas of real estate and renewable energy, there are exciting trends emerging. AI in real estate is changing the legal space and we have established a task force dedicated to leveraging AI tools to enhance efficiency for clients. While the commercial real estate market continues to face high interest rates and shifting occupancy trends, the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act has provided a clear path forward for sustained growth in the renewable energy sector over the next decade. Our Energy & Natural Resources team is experiencing rapid growth to keep pace with the market and will continue to expand.