Was it worth it?

As I start year three of partnership, I find myself reflecting on the years leading up to this.

I've had a love-hate relationship with the internet since it walked into my life in sixth grade.*

The internet is a great connector and a great provider of information. Learning how to connect with others** and always-be-learning are two things I'm forever grateful to the internet for.

For some time, I've had a goal: to make Milwaukee's 40 under 40.

Well, with three months to spare (in age qualification), I made it -- 40 Under 40 Class of 2026.

Every one—every lawyer, every human—makes mistakes.

If you’re a junior associate and you’ve realized you’ve made a mistake—maybe a typo in a filing, a missed detail, or something bigger—I want you to know: you are not alone, and you are not a failure.

New year? A brief (re)introduction:

I’m Emily—a commercial litigator, future rainmaker, and connector at Husch Blackwell.

I help businesses navigate complex contract, shareholder, and business disputes—guiding clients from pre-litigation strategy to trial, settlement, or the right off-ramp.

Season 6 of The Grace Period kicks of today, with Episode 51 -- revisiting the definition of wellbeing.

Lawyer wellbeing isn’t a perk--it’s a professional obligation.

I read 76 books in 2025, the last being Craig Johnson's Longmire novella, Tooth and Claw.

In very late 2024, I found the intellectual murder mystery genre--beginning with Louise Penny's now 20-book Gamache series and followed by William Kent Krueger's now 21-book Cork O'Connor series (book 22 out in August).

After some time off, I'm back in action.

Since today is my first business day of 2026, let's jump right into my billable hour plan and check in.

A New Year? Zeroes in all columns.

My word for Q1 2026?

Consistency.

In honor of last night’s win, a throwback to me taking my now husband to his first SEC football game. Hotty Toddy!

2024: the year of the nap

2025: the year of the book

2026: the year of the _____