Husch Blackwell Names Glynias, 46, Firm Chair, Bucking Age Trend

Husch Blackwell named St. Louis-based labor and employment partner Joe Glynias as the firm’s chair elect, selecting a 46-year-old lawyer to usher in a new generation of leadership and bucking Big Law’s trend of more elderly leaders.

Glynias, a Husch Blackwell lifer who joined the firm in 2003, will succeed current chair Catherine Hanaway in April.

Glynias will maintain his full-time practice, according to the firm. His labor and employment work concentrates on wage and hour collective actions under state and federal law, the firm said.

The incoming chair is significantly younger than the average Big Law leader. The average age of top leaders who departed top roles at the largest firms last year and this year was 66, The American Lawyer reported in November.

Husch Blackwell already has a unique leadership structure among Big Law firms. It is run by a chief executive officer without a law degree—the lone AmLaw 100 firm with that distinction. That role is poised to change hands on Thursday, when Jamie Lawless will take over from Paul Eberle, who’s held the CEO position since 2018.

Lawless, who works from home out of Tampa, Florida, previously served in Baker McKenzie’s leadership for 10 years, helping the international firm establish its business and alternative legal service operations that serviced lawyers in 45 countries. Glynias helped recruit Lawless to the firm, the incoming CEO said in a statement.

“Our firm defines itself in many uncommon ways, including that a successful law firm does not have to be run by a lawyer,” Glynias said in a statement, adding that Lawless has proven to be “an inspiring and competent leader.”

Husch Blackwell also elected two partners to serve three-year terms on its executive board. Those partners are Jen Dlugosz, who currently serves as s the deputy managing partner of Husch Blackwell’s virtual office, The Link, and Julie Miceli, who is the Chicago office managing partner.

Husch Blackwell’s revenue in 2022, the most recent available year, was around $555 million, a 16.6% increase over 2021, according to AmLaw data.