Spotlight: Shianne Thomas
From Fresh Eyes to Local Impact: How This Attorney is Building Her KC Future
When Shianne Thomas moved to Kansas City, she brought with her more than a law degree—she brought curiosity, drive, and a clear intention to make her mark.
Originally from Des Moines, Iowa, Shianne’s path to KC wasn’t linear, but it was intentional. After earning her law degree from the University of Iowa, she knew she wanted to start her career in a city larger than her hometown—but one that still offered a strong sense of community.
“I wanted something bigger than Des Moines but not quite as big as Chicago,” she said. “Kansas City hit the sweet spot.”
After spending a summer interning with Husch Blackwell in KC—and meeting her fiancé during that same summer—Shianne had all the motivation she needed to make the move permanent. Now nearly two years in, she’s not only building a promising legal career, she’s discovering what it means to truly belong in Kansas City.
A Passion for Growth—In Business and Community
As a project and commercial finance attorney at Husch Blackwell, Shianne helps businesses and lenders negotiate and document large-scale financial transactions—many of which support local growth.
“One of the most rewarding parts of my job is getting to see a renewable energy company build a new solar project with their funding or a company I’ve worked with use their new funds to expand their business or launch a project here in our community.”
Outside of her client work, Shianne is proud to be part of a firm that prioritizes civic engagement and pro bono service. As a community-driven initiative, we couldn’t agree more. Husch Blackwell’s support has been instrumental to the impact Back2KC has made since our inception. Their partnership has helped us:
- Welcome 33 Professionals relocating back to KC after attending the annual event
- Support local startups in securing new investments
- Help companies hiring top-tier talent
- Inspire returnees to become powerful champions for the region
We’re deeply grateful for their continued commitment to Kansas City’s growth.
Finding Her Place—and Helping Others Do the Same
What excites Shianne most about Kansas City is the local energy and sense of pride.
“Whether it’s a farmers market, First Fridays in the Crossroads, the team spirit for the Chiefs, Current and Royals, or all the excellent local options for food, drinks, and shopping—it’s clear that people take pride in being from Kansas City… and that spirit is contagious!”
She’s become a regular at local events and festivals, including Brookside’s Art Festival and “Muse: A Soirée Celebrating Women in Food, Drinks & the Arts.” She also credits New2KC’s events page for helping her discover new happenings around town.
Shianne still acknowledges how challenging it can be to find your footing in a new city—and made it a rightful point to share this information with fellow newcomers.
“It’s important to know the right people or read the right bulletin board or get on the right email list… I’ve been doing my best to spread the word to other new Kansas Citians as soon as I hear of events because I know how hard it can be to find those things when you first arrive.”
Looking Ahead: Personal Impact and Community Investment
Shianne isn’t just here to explore KC—she’s here to invest in it.
“I would love to get deeply involved with an organization I am passionate about here in the city. I want to work to make an impact… Finding a niche and really investing my time and energy is my personal goal.”
Advice for Other Newcomers? Start Small and Ask Around
For those considering a move to KC—or still finding their footing—Shianne has two key pieces of advice.
“First, ask the people around you what they’re involved in. You’d be surprised how willing they are to connect you to something meaningful,” she said. “And second, don’t be afraid to show up to that first event alone. Go to the local shop that aligns with your interests, start a conversation, follow their social media, and see where it takes you. That’s how I started to build my own community.”
Connect with Shianne
Learn more about Shianne’s work at Husch Blackwell, or reach out to her directly at shianne.thomas@huschblackwell.com.
We’re proud to have professionals like Shianne Thomas choosing Kansas City not just as a place to live, but as a place to grow, connect, and contribute.
Stay tuned next week as we continue our Spotlight series featuring more of the people building Kansas City’s next chapter!
Know someone who should be featured in our Spotlight series? Let us know—we love celebrating people shaping Kansas City’s future.