Washington University School of Law collaborates with Husch Blackwell for professional development​

Washington University School of Law and Husch Blackwell announce the launch of an intensive professional development program designed to enhance Husch Blackwell attorneys’ client relations and financial and legal business skills.​

Husch Blackwell University at Wash U will begin in fall 2013, when 25 to 30 of the firm’s attorneys will converge upon the Washington University in St. Louis campus for a series of three, three-day sessions. The sessions, to be held in both fall and spring, will focus on law firm economics and strategy, client relationships and leadership development — content especially important to those who recently were made partners at the firm.

“This program is an innovative way to offer high-level professional development to attorneys at a crucial time in their practice,” said Kent D. Syverud, JD, law dean and the Ethan A. H. Shepley Distinguished University Professor. “Extending the law school’s partnership with the legal community is particularly important given the evolving legal practice environment.”

Taught by law and business faculty and developed in a partnership between Washington University and Husch Blackwell, the courses will be tailored to Husch Blackwell’s strategy and culture.

Gregory R. Smith, CEO and managing partner at Husch Blackwell, said the program is part of the firm’s commitment to excellent client service.

“In this challenging economic environment, it is imperative that our attorneys receive quality continuing education that will immediately benefit clients,” he said. “We are proud to partner with Washington University School of Law to offer these customized courses and are pleased that such an excellent school is extending its commitment to the St. Louis legal community through innovative professional training for Husch Blackwell.”

Maurice A. Watson, chairman of Husch Blackwell, said the focused, on-campus programming supports the firm’s commitment to ongoing professional attorney development.

“This demonstration of our commitment to grow and equip our attorneys will make Husch Blackwell an even more attractive home for talented, ambitious attorneys,” he said.

Corporate governance expert Hillary A. Sale, JD, the Walter D. Coles Professor of Law and professor of management, has been named director of the new professional education program. Sale, who brings extensive experience in corporate leadership programming, is a member of the board of DirectWomen and co-chair of the DirectWomen Board Institute, an organization dedicated to developing women attorneys for public company board positions.

“Through our new and innovative model, Husch Blackwell University at Wash U will allow participants to acquire advanced leadership and legal practice skills with the goal of enhanced client relations,” Sale said.

Husch Blackwell is an industry-focused, full-service litigation and business law firm with locations in 16 U.S. cities and in London. National and global leaders are represented in major industries that include energy and natural resources; financial services; food and agribusiness; health care, life sciences and pharmaceuticals; industrial production, technology and transportation; and real estate, development and construction. Husch Blackwell attorneys provide deep expertise and insights to overcome obstacles, identify opportunities and create meaningful results for its clients. Visit www.HuschBlackwell.com for more information.

Washington University School of Law is widely recognized for its outstanding students, faculty and alumni and its excellence in providing legal education and innovative programming. Among its recent innovations are the national Semester in Practice, the Corporate Judicial Field Placement in Delaware, and the New York Regulatory and Business Externship.​ Visit law.wustl.edu for more information.

Media contacts:

Husch Blackwell
Susan Seilnacht
(816) 983-8783
susan.seilnacht@huschblackwell.com

Washington University in St. Louis
Jessica Martin
(314) 935-5251
jessica_martin@wustl.edu