Husch Blackwell elects Hanaway as chair-elect

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Husch Blackwell partners have elected Catherine Hanaway, a former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri and a former speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives, to become the firm’s next chair in 2021.

Hanaway will be the firm’s first woman chair when she assumes the role on April 1, 2021. Since joining the firm in 2013, she has developed and led its government solutions group.

She could not immediately be reached for comment. In a news release, she said she will continue to build on the dedication of her predecessor, current Chairman Greg Smith, to the firm’s clients, gaining expertise in their industries and “maintaining a culture of collaboration, inclusion and professional excellence.”

Firm partners elected Hanaway to replace Smith, who will transition to practicing law full time as counsel to real estate developers and others in major real estate projects in the Midwest.

“Catherine has a proven track record in heading up large, complex organizations,” Smith stated in the release. “She is excellent at articulating goals and then executing on them, and I am confident that I am leaving this key position in very capable hands.”

Based in St. Louis, Hanaway led the firm’s litigation team on significant cases regarding criminal and civil investigations, commercial litigation and regulatory enforcement actions. Chief Executive Paul Eberle said he has long admired her grace under pressure, teamwork and focus throughout her time with the firm.

“She is eminently qualified and uniquely prepared to serve our law firm as chairperson,” he stated in the release.