Az Business and AZRE magazines announced the publications’ lists of the Most Influential Women in Arizona of 2023, including Megan Irwin, environmental attorney at Husch Blackwell. In celebration of the 12th anniversary of the Most Influential Women program, azbigmedia.com is profiling one of the Most Influential Women of 2023 each day leading up to the Most Influential Women of 2023 dinner and reception.
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The Most Influential Women for 2023 will be honored at a reception on Thursday, August 17 at Chateau Luxe in Phoenix. For sponsorship information, email Amy.Lindsey@azbigmedia.com. For information about the event honoring the Most Influential Women, email Lynette.Carrington@azbigmedia.com or click here. To buy tickets, click here.
Megan Irwin, environmental attorney, Husch Blackwell
BACKGROUND: Megan Irwin draws upon her background in civil engineering and two decades of legal practice to advise clients on virtually all areas of environmental law. She advises clients on virtually all facets of corporate operations that touch upon environmental law.
CAREER PATH INSPIRATION: “I was kind of a hippy tree-hugger type in high school. I loved camping and backpacking. And I also loved math and science. So, combing those two interests led me to an environmental career. I first earned a degree in Civil Engineering (B.S.C.E.) with a focus on environmental engineering. I then got my Engineer In Training license and worked at international environmental consulting firms on remediation projects as an environmental consultant. During my time as a consultant, I interacted often with environmental attorneys. That exposed me to the types of projects I might be involved with as an environmental attorney, which to me was the next logical step in my journey. I’ve been in private practice as an environmental attorney for 20 years now.”
SOURCE OF PRIDE: “Becoming the managing partner for Husch Blackwell’s Phoenix office has allowed me to take a key role in building out our team in the Phoenix office. I am really proud of every single person in our office — the team we have created together and continue to build. I view my main responsibility as the managing partner of the Phoenix office as both supporting and growing a team that aligns with our national firm culture — positive, collaborative, embracing, diverse — come as you are, that’s who we want on the team.”
SOURCE OF INSPIRATION: “My book club. We started back in 2002, the year most of us graduated from law school. This group of mostly women lawyers all started off at different law firms. Fast forward 20 years, we have a few general counsels, some have started their own law firm and some of us now even work together at the same firm. Having this support system of women attorneys throughout my entire career — going through all of the learning curves and milestones together, all while balancing our growing families, other than my own family — it is definitely my Book Club that has supported me the most throughout my professional journey. “
SURPRISING FACT: “I like to run relay races through the woods with a group of longtime friends (Ragnar Trail Relays). We’ve done around eight of these all over the country. Teams of 8 run 120 miles through the wilderness — day and night, non-stop for 30-plus hours straight. It’s our idea of a ‘girls trip.’”
