Professional Development

The curriculum of these informal monthly lunch-and-learns for new associates includes topics such as teamwork, document and email management, pro bono opportunities, and diversity and inclusion.

Our attorneys are encouraged to build their professional networks inside and outside of the firm. In doing so, they position themselves for lifelong learning and development. We financially support participation in a diverse range of conferences and associations, particularly for attorneys and staff who are people of color, women, part of the LGBTQ+ community, or any intersection thereof.

The yearlong Core Skills Curriculum focuses on the career management, business development and professional skills that all attorneys need to advance deep into their careers. Distinguished presenters, both internal and external, help attorneys strengthen core competencies, fill knowledge gaps and prepare for new challenges.

A key component to associate development is partner participation. Young associates are matched with partners in at least one of the practice areas to which the associate is assigned. Partners share practice-specific and career-related advice. The Mentoring Program continues for junior and midlevel associates, building on the other professional development instruction provided at those levels.

We offer high-level professional development to select senior associates and junior partners through Husch Blackwell University at Wash U, an intensive nine-day program in partnership with Washington University’s Olin School of Business in St. Louis. The program focuses on law firm economics and strategy, client relationships and leadership development to provide talented and more experienced attorneys with the professional skills required to become equity partners.

The committee provides a forum for monthly discussion of firm policies and practices that affect associates. NextGen encourages younger attorneys to maximize their Husch Blackwell experience by getting involved in firm initiatives, programming, training and events.

Every attorney at Husch Blackwell is assigned to one of the firm’s Practice Specialty Centers (PSCs). These groups, which correspond to the firm’s practice areas, are dedicated to providing in-depth training for attorneys at all levels. All PSCs have a partner leader who is responsible for associate training on relevant subjects. These leaders actively monitor associate workloads and project assignments to ensure they receive challenging work, progress at an appropriate rate and have opportunities to develop practice area experience.

Each of the firm’s industry groups offers regular training on industry trends and topics to advance attorneys’ knowledge in their specific fields.

All attorneys are encouraged to take advantage of programs that teach efficient and effective career management. We conduct training on a broad range of topics that include time and project management, diversity and inclusion, and leadership, as well as presentation, negotiation and trial advocacy skills.