Following a merger earlier this year, law firm Husch Blackwell now boasts one of the largest real estate law practices not only in the Midwest but across the country.
Husch Blackwell and Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C. joined forces in a merger that became effective July 15 of this year. The expanded firm has kept the name Husch Blackwell.
The merger is big news for the Midwest commercial real estate market. Husch Blackwell has long been an important presence in this part of the country. The firm now operates offices in the Midwest markets of Chattanooga, Tennessee; Chicago; Jefferson City, Missouri; Kansas City, Missouri; Lincoln, Nebraska; Madison, Wisconsin; Memphis, Tennessee; Milwaukee; Omaha; Springfield, Missouri; St. Louis; and Waukesha County, Wisconsin.
In all, the firm employs more than 700 attorneys and offices in 19 cities.
The two law firms first announced the merger in April. Officials at both firms say that the transition to the newly expanded firm has been a smooth one.
“We are pleased at how quickly our two firms have come together, and we are excited by the additional talent and experience that we have already gained,” said chief executive officer and managing partner Greg Smith, in a written statement. “This combination will undoubtedly help us better serve clients across all industries and in all of our markets.”
“I’m really encouraged by how teams from both firms have worked so well on integration efforts,” said Husch Blackwell deputy chief executive officer Paul Eberle, formerl chief executive at Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek. “To me, that speaks volumes to how we’re going to work together going forward.”
No money was involved in the merger. Instead, White Hirschboeck Dudek’s shareholders exchanged their shares in that law firm for ownership in Husch Blackwell. The more than 300 employees of White Hirschboeck Dudek will remain with Husch Blackwell.
The merger has been the largest law firm combination this year.
