Chambers USA, one of the leading legal ratings agencies in the United States, has announced its 2016 rankings. Husch Blackwell received high honors in eight areas of practice, maintaining its favorable reputation among industry leaders. The firm was recognized in the areas of Corporate/Commercial, Corporate/M&A, Environment, Healthcare, Intellectual Property, Labor & Employment, Litigation: General Commercial and Real Estate.
Chambers said Husch Blackwell’s Corporate/Commercial team is “acknowledged for its wide-reaching strength in corporate and commercial law, with significant capabilities in financing, M&A and securities, and with notable experience dealing with renewable energy and biofuel resources."
With regard to the firm’s Corporate/M&A work, Chambers said Husch Blackwell “provides the full suite of corporate services, with particularly strong performance on high-value M&A, deals and private equity work” representing “major clients in the food, agriculture, manufacturing and energy industries.”
Chambers stated that Husch Blackwell’s Environmental team offers “strong experience in litigation and regulatory compliance” and “has built up an impressive client base in the agricultural and chemical manufacturing industries.” A client said, “They are smart, strategic thinkers about litigation.”
Clients praised what Chambers called Husch Blackwell’s “esteemed Healthcare team,” stating that “they are exceptional at client service. When you call them, they are there and they respond.” Another client said, “They have helped to craft the outcome we want; they are effective.”
In the area of Intellectual Property, Chambers called Husch Blackwell “a preeminent firm noted for the strength of its patent practice, which also has an impressive record in trademark and copyright law. “ The firm is “highly regarded for success in patent application, prosecution and litigation across a variety of industries, including medical equipment and retail.” A client said, “The attorneys at the firm are all very personable and proactive.”
Chambers said Husch Blackwell’s Labor & Employment group “possesses extensive trial experience in FLSA and wage and hour class actions.” One client stated, “They have a strong bench and a strong commitment to the employment practice.”
A client described Husch Blackwell’s Litigation/General Commercial team by saying, “I think they’re fantastic. I would count among their strengths their responsiveness, diligence and attention to detail. They know my business well so I don’t have to get them up to speed every time a new case comes through the door.” Chambers said the team “has an impressive record of representing clients in the education, agriculture and chemical industries” with areas of strength that include class actions, fraud and insurance matters.
Describing the firm’s Real Estate practice, Chambers said the group is “noted for its work on the financing and operation of sports facilities, as well as the full range of issues affecting mixed-use developments and clients in the railroad, healthcare and hospitality sectors.” One client said, “Overall, I’m very satisfied. They provide strong expertise and good value.” Another said, “The real estate team at the firm is simply fantastic. They are able to handle several high-priority, quick-turnaround projects for us without letting any balls drop.”
In Chambers’ individual recognitions, David W. Hilgers of the firm’s Austin, Texas, office received the ultimate honor of “Nationwide” acclaim in the area of Healthcare: Regulatory & Litigation for the third year in a row. Hilgers and 33 additional attorneys received regional honors as well:
Colorado:
Jeffrey A. Chase – Litigation: General Commercial – Senior Statesmen
Paul A. Jacobs – Real Estate – Senior Statesmen
Kevin H. Kelley – Real Estate
Mary H. Stuart – Labor & Employment
Missouri:
Samuel Digirolamo – Intellectual Property
Alan S. Nemes – Intellectual Property
Kansas City:
James M. Ash – Corporate/M&A
David A. Fenley – Real Estate
Gary D. Gilson – Corporate/M&A
*Jeffrey D. Hanslick – Labor & Employment
Paul F. Pautler, Jr. – Labor & Employment
John R. Phillips – Labor & Employment – Eminent Practitioner
Charles Renner – Real Estate
Jason A. Reschly – Corporate/M&A
Mark D. Welker – Labor & Employment
St. Louis:
Craig S. Biesterfeld – Real Estate
Gary H. Feder – Real Estate
Josef S. Glynias – Labor & Employment - Up & Coming
Bradley S. Hiles – Labor & Employment
David A. Linenbroker – Real Estate
Joseph G. Nassif – Environment
Mary Anne O'Connell – Corporate/M&A
Gregory R. Smith – Real Estate
Robert J. Tomaso – Labor & Employment
Amy L. Wachs – Environment
Robert F. Wilkinson – Environment
Nebraska:
David E. Gardels – Corporate/Commercial
Todd A. Richardson – Corporate/Commercial
Tennessee:
Ronald I. Feldman – Real Estate
Texas:
Diane T. Carter – Healthcare
Joseph “Joe” V. Geraci – Healthcare
David W. Hilgers – Healthcare
R. Keith Hopson – Environment
Hal Katz – Healthcare
*First year named to Chambers
Chambers and Partners establishes its rankings by utilizing a team of 150 researchers who conduct thousands of in-depth interviews with lawyers and their clients worldwide. The team identifies and ranks the world’s best lawyers and legal departments according to the criteria most valued by clients: legal knowledge and experience, ability, effectiveness and client service.