Husch Blackwell names new Springfield managing partner

Husch Blackwell LLP selected a new managing partner to lead its Springfield office.

Effective Jan. 1, 18-year Husch employee Bryan Wade took the reins. Wade, a real estate and development attorney, succeeds Virginia Fry, the managing partner of the office for the past 12 years who has stayed on as a partner, Wade said.

Wade said Kansas City-based Husch transitions new managing partners as a company practice.

“I’ve got big shoes to fill. There’s some really excellent attorneys that have led this office from the beginning,” said wade, who leads a 16-attorney office located in Hammons Tower.

Wade said one focus will be to grow the ranks of the Springfield office, which has experienced a shakeup since June, when six partners left the firm to start a Queen City office for another Kansas City-based law firm, Spencer Fane Britt & Browne LLP. Four other Husch attorneys have since joined Spencer Fane, as have three support staff, according to Springfield Business Journal archives. 

Wade said the Spencer Fane moves were not a factor in his transition to managing partner.