Why have you chosen to make your career at Husch Blackwell?
I was looking for something new to build after being a part of starting the Charleston office of a large international law firm, and as it happened, Husch Blackwell, which sees the power of expanding its breadth and depth across the country, was targeting the Southeast. There is a ton of growth here in Charleston, so it was a strategic fit. I ended up joining Husch Blackwell because of the firm’s focus on starting a Charleston office – and The Link, its virtual office, will help to build the office the right way.
I spoke to some other firms about their desire to start a Charleston office, but they were not as forward-thinking as Husch Blackwell was with The Link and how it could be used as a powerful tool to start an office and recruit great talent who may prefer to work remotely. With some firms, there is still a mentality that attorneys need to be located in physical offices or traveling to an office. In my view, it’s an antiquated way of attracting top legal talent.
Describe your experience working as part of The Link, the firm’s virtual office.
The Link is impressive from an implementation standpoint. Members are part of a business unit rather than just remote workers who are given a computer, an internet connection and access to Zoom meetings. The attorneys in The Link are fully integrated within the firm.
The Link allows me to be more efficient because I’ve eliminated wasted time during my day, including the drive to and from the office and the walk to and from the parking garage. With The Link, I press a button and I’m up and running. I work more efficiently because I can respond to client needs whenever they arise, as efficient remote work is what many clients have embraced. And The Link allows talented attorneys to be part of an office build, but still maintain their desire to work smartly.
How has Husch Blackwell supported you in achieving work/life balance beyond The Link?
Husch Blackwell recognizes that there is a shift in the way that attorneys approach work. I do not want to tell you what approach to take to complete your work, or where to do it. If you can do your work well and on time, that is all that matters to me. Husch Blackwell as a firm and I are like-minded in that respect.
What is your advice for a new hire?
Embrace the fact that Husch Blackwell has recognized the realities of how the practice of law can be done at a high level. Embrace everything that Husch Blackwell has put in place, whether you are in The Link or a physical office. Either way, do not isolate yourself. Husch Blackwell is a large firm, but even if everyone is spread out across the country, we can all still get together, whether virtually or in person. There’s real value in that aspect of the practice of law, and Husch Blackwell is on the forefront of that reality.