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Maurice A. Watson

Chairman

Maurice became Chairman of Husch Blackwell in 2012. In this role, he is responsible for developing and communicating the firm’s strategic direction and ensuring that its policies and culture align with this direction. He serves as the firm’s visible leader and public ambassador.

Maurice’s practice focuses on representation of educational institutions, including public and private schools and school systems and colleges and universities, along with regional and national education associations. He has successfully represented clients in state and federal courts in complaints brought by employees for employment discrimination, harassment and alleged violations of statutory and constitutional rights and cases filed by students for alleged violations of statutory and constitutional rights.

Maurice has advised public, private and nonprofit boards in sensitive investigations of misconduct involving executives, administrators and directors. He regularly speaks at national and regional meetings and conferences on the legal rights of students and employees in the school setting and also works with boards on best governance practices.

Throughout his career, Maurice has been an advocate for children, serving on the boards of schools, national education associations and children’s hospitals and supporting their interests in federal legislative matters.

Before joining Husch Blackwell, Maurice was a senior aide to U.S. Sen. John Danforth in Washington, D.C.

Awards & Recognitions

  • Missouri Hospital Association Excellence in Governance Award, 2007
  • NAACP Award, 2012
  • Nonprofit Connect Volunteer of the Year Award, 2012  [video]
  • Urban League of Greater Kansas City, Difference Maker of the Year Award, 2012
  • Velma E. Woodson Outstanding Leadership Award

Professional Associations & Memberships

  • American Bar Association
  • Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges
  • Jackson County Bar Association
  • Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
  • Lawyers’ Association of Kansas City, Board of Directors, 1994-1995
  • The Missouri Bar
  • Missouri School Boards Association Council of School Attorneys
  • National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions, Board of Trustees, Public Policy Council, 1997-2003
  • National Association of College and University Attorneys
  • National Association of Independent Schools, Board of Trustees, Secretary, 1995-2003
  • National School Boards Association Council of School Attorneys, Board of Directors, 2008-2012

Civic Involvement

  • AIDS Service Foundation, Board of Directors, 2006-2012
  • The Barstow School, Board of Trustees, President, 1989-1996
  • Children’s Mercy Hospital, Board of Directors, Chair, 1993-2007
  • Children’s Mercy Hospital Foundation, Board of Trustees, Vice Chair, 2002-2007, 2012-present
  • Harry S. Truman Library Institute, Board of Trustees, 2008-present
  • Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City, Community Advisory Board, 2005-2006
  • Kansas City Art Institute, Board of Trustees, Vice Chair, 2008-present; Secretary, 2012-present
  • Kansas City Ballet, Board of Directors, Executive Committee, 2001-2007
  • Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors, 2012-present
  • Metropolitan Community College Foundation, Board of Directors, 2011-present