Husch Blackwell CEO Paul Eberle to step down in 2024

Husch Blackwell is beginning a national search for its next chief executive following an announcement that Paul Eberle will step down in the first quarter of 2024.

Eberle joined Husch Blackwell in 2016 when the firm combined with Milwaukee-based Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek, where he had served as that firm’s chief executive since 2009. Eberle is one of the rare non-lawyers to lead a large U.S. law firm.

“Having an experienced and gifted chief executive run the business just makes sense,” Catherine Hanaway, Husch Blackwell’s chair, said in a press release. “It allows the owners of the business — our partners — to do the thing they are good at, which is the practice of law, and it enables us to tap into business perspectives that practicing lawyers might not routinely consider.”

Husch has engaged Calibrate Consulting to conduct the search. The firm said it will focus on candidates who have demonstrated success in the areas of strategy development, inclusive leadership, effective communications, business acumen and sound financial growth. Interested professionals should apply by Oct. 30.

Husch Blackwell is Missouri’s third largest law firm, with $476.7 million in gross revenue in 2021 according to Missouri Lawyers Media’s Money 2022 publication.

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