Husch Blackwell has appointed Lorinda Holloway managing partner of its Austin office and Rick Illmer managing partner of its Dallas office. Holloway succeeds partner Adam Hauser, and Illmer succeeds partner Stephen Cockerham. Hauser and Cockerham will continue to practice law with the firm.
“I am delighted to announce the appointment of Lorinda and Rick as office managing partners,” said Chairman Maurice Watson. “Both are proven leaders in the firm and in the Austin and Dallas communities respectively. Adam Hauser in Austin, and Stephen Cockerham in Dallas, leave big boots to fill, and Lorinda and Rick are up to the task.”
Holloway is a partner in the firm’s Healthcare, Life Sciences & Education group. She represents healthcare clients in federal False Claims Act and state Medicaid fraud cases, as well as in business disputes and malpractice cases. She has been a fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation since 2010, a member of American Health Lawyers Association since 2008, and was recently elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Austin Bar Association’s Civil Litigation Section.
Illmer is a litigation partner with the firm’s Financial Services group and also serves on the firm’s Partner Board. His civil trial practice involves complex commercial and business tort litigation, including class action litigation, contract disputes, and fraud and antitrust claims. He is a board member of the Texas General Counsel Forum, Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter. He is also a member of the Texas Mortgage Bankers Association and the Association of Life Insurance Counsel, as well as a fellow of the American Bar Association.
Both Holloway and Illmer will continue to represent their clients while serving as office managing partners.
“I am honored to serve the firm in this new role,” said Holloway. “Adam has done a remarkable job – not just as office managing partner but as a firm leader for many years. I am grateful for the opportunity to build on Adam’s contributions, and I look forward to continuing to increase the firm’s involvement in the Austin community.”
“Husch Blackwell is committed to the Texas market,” said Illmer. “The talent in our Texas offices is considerable, and the opportunities are many. Stephen has done a great job to help strengthen the firm’s Dallas presence, and I look forward to furthering those efforts.”
Hauser will continue his practice as a partner in the firm’s Real Estate, Development & Construction and Healthcare, Life Sciences & Education groups. He served as Austin office managing partner since 2013. Hauser has been a member of the firm’s Executive Board and Partner Board, and was managing partner of Brown McCarroll prior to its merger with Husch Blackwell.
Cockerham will continue to represent clients on labor and employment matters as a partner on the firm’s Energy & Natural Resources team. He served as Dallas office managing partner since 2013.