Husch Blackwell’s HB In-House Program Celebrates One-Year Anniversary with Widespread Praise
Kansas City, MO – July 29, 2025 – A year after its launch, Husch Blackwell’s innovative HB In-House program, designed to train associates for in-house legal roles while enhancing client service, is earning accolades from participants, clients, and industry observers. The first-of-its-kind initiative, which prepares attorneys for corporate counsel positions through a tailored curriculum and mentorship, has been hailed as a game-changer in legal career development.
Launched in June 2024, HB In-House runs over four months, concluding in September, and offers a comprehensive training series covering critical skills for in-house roles, including understanding corporate business goals, budget management, financial statement analysis, risk mitigation, team-building, and leadership development. The program, developed in collaboration with over two dozen clients who serve as instructors and mentors, includes individual coaching, cohort-based learning, and opportunities for secondments to provide immersive in-house experience.
Joe Glynias, Husch Blackwell’s Chair and the program’s architect, emphasized its dual purpose: equipping attorneys with tools for a seamless transition to in-house roles while fostering a deeper understanding of client needs. “By teaching our lawyers the nuances of in-house legal departments, we ensure they can contribute significantly from day one, whether they stay with the firm or move to a client’s team,” Glynias said. He noted that the program reflects the firm’s commitment to investing in its people, recognizing that not all attorneys aspire to the traditional partner track.
The program’s impact is evident in its outcomes. Husch Blackwell, already among the top five U.S. law firms for placing attorneys in general counsel or chief legal officer roles (with 17 placements between 2017 and 2021), has seen HB In-House accelerate this pipeline. Participants have reported greater confidence in navigating corporate legal environments, with one graduate, quoted by Law360 Pulse, praising the program for providing “practical tools to understand client priorities.” Clients, including figures like Megan Belcher, chief legal officer at Scoular Co., have lauded the program for producing attorneys who can “move with greater speed” in in-house roles.
Industry sentiment, reflected in posts on X, underscores the program’s success. On July 29, 2025, accounts like @lawdotcom and @CorpCounsel shared articles celebrating HB In-House’s one-year milestone, noting its unique approach to aligning attorney training with client needs. However, some online discussions, particularly on Reddit’s r/biglaw, have sparked debate, with critics arguing that the program overtly acknowledges the “off-ramp” trend of associates leaving for in-house roles, potentially signaling a lack of faith in long-term firm retention. Others counter that it’s a pragmatic move, enhancing client relationships by training future in-house talent who may continue to send business back to the firm.
The program’s second year, launched in July 2025, has expanded its reach, incorporating more client faculty and refining its curriculum based on feedback from the inaugural cohort. Chief Operating Officer Angela Quinn, who previously served as Chief Client Officer, highlighted the program’s role in Husch Blackwell’s broader growth strategy, which includes a 90% increase in attorney headcount over the past decade and seven consecutive years of revenue growth. “HB In-House is a testament to our innovative approach to client service and attorney development,” Quinn said.
As the legal industry evolves, with increasing demand for in-house talent, HB In-House positions Husch Blackwell as a leader in preparing attorneys for diverse career paths. The program’s success has drawn attention from competitors, with some firms reportedly exploring similar models. For now, Husch Blackwell’s bold initiative continues to set a new standard, earning praise for its forward-thinking approach to bridging law firm and corporate legal worlds.
This article draws on information from Husch Blackwell’s announcements, industry reports, and posts on X. For more details, visit huschblackwell.com.