Citing ramped-up demand during the pandemic and a geographic hole to fill, Husch Blackwell has expanded into two New England states, with the pickup of an 11-lawyer health care law boutique that has represented major hospitals in Boston.

The Missouri-founded firm announced Tuesday its merger with Summit Health Law Partners, giving it five additional partners and new offices in Boston and Providence, Rhode Island, effective Sept. 1. The move comes after Husch opened new offices in Los Angeles and Oakland earlier this year. Husch has plans to add more health care lawyers in California while also targeting the Southeast for growth.