As Chairman of Husch Blackwell, Maurice is the public ambassador and visible leader of the firm. He also is a member of the firm's Executive and Partner Boards.
Maurice principally serves as legal counsel to public school districts, private schools and national education associations. He has successfully represented schools in discrimination suits in federal and state courts and successfully defended school districts in Title IX cases. Maurice is a frequent speaker at national and state meetings on the legal rights of students and employees in schools as well as the school board's role in teacher terminations.
He represents the interests of children's hospitals in Washington, D.C., on legislative matters and also has successfully defended employers in employee retaliation cases.
Prior to his law practice, Maurice served as senior aide to U.S. Sen. John Danforth in Washington, D.C.
Awards & Recognitions
· Missouri Hospital Association Excellence in Governance Award, 2007
· Nonprofit Connect Volunteer of the Year Award, 2012
Professional Associations & Memberships
· American Bar Association
· Jackson County Bar Association
· Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
· The Missouri Bar
· Lawyers' Association of Kansas City, Board of Directors, 1994-1995
· Missouri School Boards Association Council of School Attorneys
· National Association of Independent Schools, Board of Trustees, Secretary, 1995-2003
· National School Boards Association Council of School Attorneys, Board of Directors, 2008-2011
Civic Involvement
· The Barstow School, Board of Trustees, President, 1989-1996
· Children's Mercy Hospital, Chair, Board of Directors, 1993-2007
· Children's Mercy Hospital Foundation, Board of Trustees, 2003-2007, 2010-2011
· FOCUS, Kansas City, 1995-1996
· Harry S. Truman Library Institute, Board of Trustees, 2008-2011
· Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City, 2005-2006
· Heart of America Community AIDS Partnership, 1990-2011
· Kansas City Art Institute, Board of Trustees, Board Vice Chair, 2008-2011
· Kansas City Ballet, Executive Committee, Board of Directors, 2001-2007
· The Learning Exchange, Board of Directors, Vice President, Secretary, 1993-1999
· National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions, Board of Trustees, 1997-2003
Experience
· Successfully presented amicus curiae argument on behalf of state high school activities associations in disability discrimination cases pled in federal circuit courts
News & Publications
News
5.14.12, Husch Blackwell Chairman Maurice Watson Receives Prestigious Volunteer of the Year Award
4.9.12, Missouri Lawyers Weekly: Watson Completes Rise at Husch Blackwell
4.2.12, Husch Blackwell Completes Leadership Transition
8.12.11, Husch Blackwell Announces Firm Leadership Transition
Publications
4.1.11, Striving for Greatness in Trusteeship, The Savvy Trustee
Events
4.15.11, Issues in Higher Education
Kansas City, MO
Seminar
4.23.10, Issues in Higher Education Seminar
Kansas City, MO
Seminar
4.17.09, Issues in Higher Education Seminar
Kansas City, MO
Seminar
4.25.08, Higher Education Seminar
Kansas City, MO
Seminar