2017 Trusted Advisers Up-and-Comer: Larissa Warren

SBJ photo by WES HAMILTON

Resume Highlights

• Bachelor’s in criminology, Missouri State University; master’s in education, Boston College; Juris Doctor, Boston College Law School

• Three-year executive director at Polk County House of Hope.

• Associate attorney at Husch Blackwell LLP’s Springfield office since August 2016.

• Legal intern for the Boston Police Department’s Office of Labor Relations, participating in negotiations between the city and four labor unions.

• Worked as a substitute teacher for All Nations Academy in Zanzibar, Tanzania.

Husch Blackwell LLP associate attorney Larissa Warren is only a year removed from Boston College Law School. Yet, she’s already illustrated her leadership qualities in the firm’s Springfield office, and she’s earnestly building her clients’ trust.

Mostly representing employers, Warren works to advise clients on industry laws and regulations and also represents them in state and federal courts in suits involving discrimination charges and the Fair Labor Standards Act.

“As an attorney, my foundational goal should always be to practice in a manner that merits my client’s trust,” she says. “As a new member of my profession, I look forward to earning my clients’ trust in a more comprehensive way as my career develops, but daily endeavor to continue growing trust through each small task conducted with ethics and excellence along the way.”

Warren takes a proactive approach, so her clients address legal issues on the front end rather than waiting until a crisis strikes before acting. Perhaps she’s drawing on her internship experience with Boston Police Department’s Office of Labor Relations, where she researched contract law prior to negotiations between the city and four labor unions.

“I collaborate with clients and our legal team about ways not only to address existing problems but strategies to prevent future legal difficulties,” she says.

Warren’s work quickly struck a chord with Husch Blackwell’s local managing partner. Bryan Wade says since joining the firm last year, she’s already established herself as a leading voice with room to grow.

“Firm management certainly considers Larissa one of our up-and-coming talents,” Wade says. “She enjoys an excellent reputation in our firm and already has demonstrated that she has tremendous leadership potential.”

Outside of the office, Warren is involved in a number of civic activities impacting the Springfield-area community.

An active member of the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association, Warren serves on the Friends of Ashley House Committee that raises money for traditional housing run by Presbyterian Children’s Home and Services. Through the work, Warren helps girls ages 16-21 who are exiting the foster care system.

She also is working to implement a juvenile justice committee via the Supreme Court of Missouri’s commission on racial and ethnic fairness.

“This committee will respond to needs in Missouri communities identified by those involved with the juvenile justice system,” she says.

With experience as a teacher in Tanzania, Warren is committed to increasing the diversity in all of Husch Blackwell’s offices.

“Larissa is working with firm diversity officers to bring to Springfield a program that introduces diverse college students to the challenges of practicing law,” Wade says. “She has met with several community leaders to set up a companion mentorship program and we look forward to the growth of the program.”