Husch Blackwell LLP > Phoenix, United States > Firm Profile

Husch Blackwell LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Chicago Elite > Corporate and M&A

Robert Joseph at Husch Blackwell LLP specializes in corporate, securities, and M&A law, with a particular focus on the energy industry. Joseph represents key clients such as NorthWestern Energy, OGE Energy Corp., and Louisville Gas & Electric, advising on complex transactions involving multi-million-dollar reorganizations and public offerings.

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

Husch Blackwell LLP has extensive experience handling a range of white-collar issues, including antitrust, FCA, and financial institution fraud. Jody Rudman, based in Austin, is a trial-experienced lawyer who has worked with clients across various industries, focusing on fraud and FCA matters. Catherine Hanaway, based in St Louis, handles high-profile, complex cases, specializing in FCPA, FCA, fraud, and money laundering.

Industry focus > Education Tier 1

Lauded for being ‘an essential resource for any higher education institution’, the group at Husch Blackwell LLP has a deep bench of specialists operating in the full gamut of regulatory, contentious and transactional education mandates. The team’s key strengths include handling sensitive compliance reviews, high-profile investigations and transactions such as change of control processes involving mergers, acquisitions and divestitures. Co-leading the team from Kansas City, Hayley Hanson is relied upon by private and public universities and colleges, major research institutions and academic medical centers. Also in Kansas City, team lead Sean Tassi provides clients with day-to-day counseling on federal and state regulations and online offerings. Leading the group’s accreditor practice, Chicago-based Julie Miceli has carved out a strong niche supporting accreditors navigating the revision of accrediting standards with respect to their diversity, equity and inclusion goals and regulations. Another integral member of the firm’s Chicago office is Lisa Parker who routinely represents higher education institutions in litigation before trial and appellate courts.

Dispute resolution > E-discovery Tier 2

Husch Blackwell LLP handles e-discovery for a wide range of high-stakes cases, including bet-the-company disputes, putative class actions and multidistrict litigation. The team is co-led by Steven Neely in Washington DC and Tessa Jacob. Jacob has an extensive technical knowledge of e-discovery such as using data mining tools, TAR and other review platforms. She excels at creating defensible discovery processes for clients facing various litigation and investigations. Taylor Concannon Hausmann is a skilled attorney in defending patent and trade secret cases, product liability and class action litigation. Jennifer Cavner in Austin focuses her practice on white-collar cases and internal investigations, while Kip Randall, promoted to partnership in January 2025, is equipped to manage document reviews in response to compulsory requests. All attorneys are based in Kansas City unless otherwise specified.

Real estate > Land use/zoning Tier 2

Husch Blackwell LLP is a one-stop shop for all issues pertaining to land use including, but not limited to, zoning, licensing agreements, restrictive covenants, easements, and development permits. The practice is led by Austin’s Nikelle Meade, who petitions local governments on behalf of her clients to secure land use permits; and St. Louis’ David Richardson, who advises developers on land use zoning, litigation, and other development issues. In Houston, government boards and administrations rely on Sandy Hellums-Gomez for advice related to land use, while litigator Katharine David serves as special or outside counsel to government entities. Milwaukee’s Rodney Carter assists with planning and zoning approvals while Jake Remington, also Milwaukee-based, represents clients in state and federal trials and appellate courts.

Dispute resolution > Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: toxic tort Tier 3

Husch Blackwell LLP  is active in toxic tort litigation for a range of companies and private equity firms in defending claims as NCC and trail counsel in PFAS litigation and asbestos related matters. In product liability and product safety, Brandan Mueller leads the team and is experienced in counseling clients through compliance issues and compliance testing, as well as ethical considerations and product warnings. In St Louis, J.Y Miller is active in mass tort litigation, having been involved in defense claims related to asbestos, as well as acting as national coordinating counsel for clients in toxic tort litigation. Joseph Kilpatrick practices from the firm’s virtual office known as The Link and his expertise extends to the defense of claims for mesothelioma, lung cancer, pleural plaques and thickening, as well as asbestosis against manufacturers including chemicals and paints. Jennifer Dlugosz, also practicing from The Link specializes in toxic tort matters in the Chicago area. Richard Morgan, Carli Pearson and Doug Pfeifer all joined the firm from Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP in March 2024.

Energy > Renewable/alternative power Tier 3

The energy and natural resources practice at Husch Blackwell LLP, led by Kansas City’s Anna Kimbrell, offers assistance with the development, construction, financing, and operation of a range of renewable and alternative energy projects such as battery storage, solar, and wind, as well as natural gas, biofuels, and carbon sequestration. The group’s capabilities to handle high-value, high-profile, and cross-border matters are key factors that contribute to the team’s growing client roster which is comprised of notable names from the energy and financial services sectors. Kimbrell stands out in particular for advising on the full gamut of project development matters such as real estate, investments, and financing, with a focus on wind and solar power projects. In Omaha, David Gardels is the main contact in the department and specializes in M&A and dispositions while in Chicago, Jai Khanna is the key name for financing matters with experience leading on mezzanine secured and unsecured loan facilities, traditional bank lending, and lease transactions.

Industry focus > Cannabis Tier 3

Covering the key industries of banking, construction, and pharma, Husch Blackwell LLP is highly knowledgeable on both the regulatory and transactional sides, consistently representing both domestic and international clients. The marijuana and industrial hemp practice is especially well versed in handling government policy, drug development, and vendor contracts issues. Located in Denver, team leaders Steven Levine and Marshall Custer are very experienced, specializing in cannabis regulatory matters and franchise compliance programs. From Los Angeles, Hilary Bricken concentrates on M&A transactions, in Washington DC, Brent Salmons assists with divestitures and joint ventures, while Denver’s Jeffrey Whitney is also cited as key. Megan Beebe is a key name in Denver, while Alyssa Samuel, who works virtually, is also noted.

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: middle-market (sub-$500m) Tier 3

Serving buyers, sellers, private equity funds, and boards of directors, Husch Blackwell LLP advises on a broad spread of M&A, hostile takeovers, exchange offers, and take-private transactions. During 2023/24, the team notched up strong activity in the healthcare and life sciences spheres, while it also handled M&A deals in the manufacturing, education, energy, and retail sectors, among others. Kirstin Salzman steers the department from Kansas City, where she specializes in M&A with a focus on the manufacturing, distribution, and healthcare industries. The Kansas City team also includes Edward Wilson, who is noted for his close relationships with private fund clients. In Milwaukee, Philip Koutnik maintains a comprehensive corporate practice that spans M&A, divestitures, reorganizations, and general commercial work. Also noted is Madison-based Thomas Shorter, who is recommended for healthcare-related transactions.

Transport > Aviation and air travel: finance Tier 3

Husch Blackwell LLP  is notable active for American Airlines on various aircraft purchase agreements, engine leases, and portfolio acquisitions. ‘This practice combines deep industry expertise with a client-centered, innovative approach’ which is led by David Agee out of Springfield. It also works on marketing services agreements, passenger loyalty programs, and high-value cross-border aviation transactions. Agee utilizes his background in corporate law to represent all key stakeholders in large acquisition and financing matters. Washington DC’s Lana Yaghi ‘demonstrates excellent business acumen’ in her practice, applying regulatory knowledge that influences aircraft ownership and operations. Springfield-based Michael Cosby focuses on commercial aviation and is equipped to ensure that clients remain FAA and IRC-compliant throughout aircraft sales and leasing. Chatanooga’s Katie Giannasi, Springfield’s Lauren Hawkins, and Amanda Tummons alongside Denver’s Chris Sundberg round out the practice.

Energy > Energy regulation: electric power Tier 4

Husch Blackwell LLP’s energy regulation team has a strong track record of guiding clients through federal and state regulatory challenges to advance key projects. The firm provides comprehensive legal services across regulatory, litigation, and business matters, including generation, transmission, distribution, and regional power markets. The team regularly advises on rate and cost allocation issues, as well as interconnection procedures within regional transmission organizations and independent system operators. Practice co-heads include Kansas City-based Anna Kimbrell, and Washington DC-based Linda Walsh, who brings over 35 years of experience representing electric utilities before FERC and NERC. In Austin, co-head Chris Reeder is a seasoned regulatory lawyer advising on project development and regulatory proceedings.

Finance > Financial services regulation Tier 4

Husch Blackwell LLP  advises a broad range of financial services clients, including mortgage lenders, auto finance companies, and credit card providers, on compliance with federal and state regulations such as the FCRA, ECOA, and TILA. The firm provides regulatory guidance on consumer credit laws, risk management, and evolving compliance requirements, leveraging its in-depth industry knowledge. Madison-based Marci Kawski leads the practice, drawing on her expertise in both national consumer finance regulations and Wisconsin-specific laws. Susan Seaman, based in Columbus via the firm’s virtual office, advises on credit, deposit, and payment systems regulations. Christopher Friedman , who also operates virtually, supports clients navigating entry into new jurisdictions and product launches. The team expanded in February 2024 with the addition of former CFPB attorney Mike Silver, who brings deep regulatory experience to the practice.

Government > Government contracts Tier 4

Husch Blackwell LLP have a ‘solid foundation’ in the government contracts field and frequently handle an array of contentious matters in the federal construction contracting engineering support services and healthcare contracting spaces. This includes bid protests, contract termination litigation, debarment issues and federal investigations. Brian Waagner leads the team and is well versed in bid protests, disputes and FCA litigation. Waagner sits in the firm’s Washington DC office and is supported there by Hal Perloff, who excels in domestic preference rules and labor standards, FCA litigation and suspension and debarment proceedings, and Steven Neeley, who often covers transactions concerning government contractors, next to his contentious practice. Michael Schrier offers employment advice and litigation for government contractors and Cormac Connor advises on internal investigations, and both are also based in DC. Eric Singley joined the practice in January 2024 followed by John Meyer in April 2024, with the former covering corporate matters and the latter handling matters in the energy sector.

Healthcare > Service providers Tier 4

Husch Blackwell LLP houses a team which is praised by clients for its ‘impressive breadth and depth across the universe of regulatory and transactional issues’. In Kansas City, Curt Chase leads the team with his expansive knowledge of regulatory compliance and transactional matters, often advising academic medical centers and hospitals. Boston’s Robert Blaisdell has longstanding experience in vendor contracting, and healthcare fraud and abuse, in addition to the full spectrum of issues concerning assisted living facilities, while Crystal Bloom stands out for her specialism in the regulatory regime governing psychiatric and community hospitals, and ambulance services in Massachusetts. Tom Shorter is recommended for his extensive knowledge of M&A, joint ventures, and restructurings within the healthcare space in Madison. Dallas’ Alison Hollender is well-equipped to advise on healthcare facility licensure issues and corporate healthcare transactions.

Insurance > Advice to insurers Tier 4

Husch Blackwell LLP houses a team of insurance litigators well-versed in coverage disputes involving the full spectrum of insurance lines, from P&C and auto to D&O and fiduciary, and are experienced in handling class actions, receiverships, declaratory judgment actions, disputes with state and federal regulators, malpractice claims, and more. In Kansas City, practice co-chair Kirsten Byrd serves as the team’s key contact for insurance receiverships, and Milwaukee-based co-chair Jason Fathallah’s recent engagements include COVID-19 business interruption litigation. Also in Milwaukee is third co-lead Dieter Juedes, whose practice focuses on defending insurers in high-exposure disputes, and bad faith claims. In the St. Louis office, the fourth and final co-leader David Sobelman litigates prolifically in courts across the country and has developed experience in commercial fraud coverage claims, contractual disputes, toxic torts, ERISA claims, and professional liability matters, among others. In Denver, Ashley DeVerna advises insurers in life and health disputes and those stemming from cyber and environmental liabilities.

Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (International Trade Commission) Tier 4

Husch Blackwell LLP’s ITC practice utilizes the firm’s expertise in international trade and intellectual property to represent clients in Section 337 investigations across various sectors, including biotech, automotive, and manufacturing. The team is well-equipped to handle cases involving competitor disputes, as well as defensive cases against non-practicing entities. The team is led by Beau Jackson, who splits his time between Kansas City and Washington DC; given his ‘wealth of ITC and international trade experience’, Jackson serves as lead counsel in all of the team’s ITC cases. In St Louis, Jennifer Hoekel and Kara Fussner are experienced patent litigators who offer further support.

Labor and employment > Immigration Tier 4

Well-established across Kansas and Missouri, Husch Blackwell LLP advises on employment-related immigration sponsorship strategies for US employers, including short- and long-term work authorisations, non-immigrant visas and permanent residence. The team is also a key port of call for companies seeking I-9 and e-verify compliance training. An esteemed duo heads up the department: Kelli Meilink, in Kansas City, and Christine Fabin, who operates through The Link. Meilink assists companies with the permanent residence process and L-1 and E-2 visa programs. Fabin is a key contact for organizations looking to hire foreign nationals and is particularly strong at sponsorship petitions and employment-based green cards. In St Louis, Tiffany Baldwin offers immigration advice tailored to the healthcare sector, with extensive experience with physician waivers.

Real estate Tier 4

Husch Blackwell LLP‘s real estate, development, and construction team handles a range of projects across the market. The team is involved in deals ranging from public-private partnerships for mixed-use developments and airports to smaller land-use deals. With considerable experience and breadth, the practice acts for a multitude of clients, from development companies to sports franchises, and hospitality management companies. Jonathan Giokas leads the real estate team, based in the St Louis office; he counsels investors, institutions, companies, and public entities concerning real estate and finance matters, with a particular focus on transactions that leverage both public and private capital sources. Elsewhere, Charles Renner heads up the public-private partnership group, working out of Kansas City.

Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: design Tier 5

Husch Blackwell LLP‘s employee benefits and executive compensation practice works with both consumers – employers and in-house fiduciaries – and producers – banks, investment funds, plan sponsors – of benefit, compensation and retirement plans in order to provide a comprehensive service to clients. Kansas City’s Craig Kovarik leads the group, whose broad experience covers equity-based compensation, employee incentive plans, and non-qualified compensation arrangements. St. Louis’ Alan Kandel leads on ESOPs, phantom equity and fringe benefit plans, while Milwaukee’s David Eckhardt deals with a broad range of plan design and implementation as well as regulatory and tax compliance. Denver’s Molly Hobbs is an expert on how benefit and retirement plans are affected by ERISA, ACA, and HIPAA regulations.

Real estate > Construction (including construction litigation) Tier 5

Husch Blackwell LLP offers contract drafting and dispute resolution services to developers, general contractors, and construction managers in connection with mixed-use developments, casinos, hotels, stadiums, and wastewater treatment facilities. The practice is led by Milwaukee’s Joshua Levy, who represents clients in trials and arbitrational hearings regarding change orders, cost overruns, design defects, and project delays. He is joined by fellow practice head, Omaha’s Brent Meyer, who advises government entities, business owners, suppliers and subcontractors on lien claims and other disputes, alongside contract negotiation and regulatory compliance.

Real estate > Real estate finance Tier 5

Husch Blackwell LLP‘s real estate finance practice centres on debt financing, including acquisition and development loans. The firm regularly serves as local counsel for lenders and borrowers throughout the Midwest, West and Mid-South. Daniel Bray leads the firm in Denver and advises on mortgage and mezzanine loans, with particular expertise in the fields of storage, manufactured housing, hospitality, resort, and senior housing properties. In Milwaukee, Rebecca Mitich has deep knowledge of tax-advantaged real estate development work, representing developers and national commercial banks in construction financing projects. Based in St. Louis, David Richardson is also noted.

International trade and national security > Trade remedies and trade policy

Labor and employment > Workplace and employment counseling

Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection)