Affinity Groups

Thompson Coburn’s attorney-led affinity groups contribute to the Firm’s success through recruitment and retention efforts, formal and informal training and mentoring, employee networking, professional development opportunities, creating a positive and supportive work environment, community outreach and helping to deliver the commitment to diversity and inclusion.​

AFRICAN AMERICAN/BLACK

• We work to increase the pipeline to attract, retain, and promote top talent
• We provide a forum to connect with Thompson Coburn attorneys across the country
• We foster an inclusive culture that supports the long-term success of African American attorneys
• We build and cultivate relationships in order to increase business development
• We provide opportunities for attendance at local, regional, and national events, programs, conferences, and seminars

Diona Rogers
Co-Chair

Bob Wallace
Co-Chair

ASIAN/SOUTH ASIAN (ASA)

• We collaborate with the Firm’s Diversity Committee and other affinity groups to support internal and external diversity efforts
• We provide a forum for ASAME attorneys and staff to connect and share their experiences
• We engage with law students and other diverse groups to assist in our recruitment and retention efforts
• We actively partner with NAPABA and affiliated Law Student Associations of various law schools
• We work closely with a number of legal service organizations that focus efforts on various issues impacting the ASAME community
• We arrange for our members to attend seminars and conferences that promote our mission and goals

Emily Murphy
Co-Chair

Shoko Naruo
Co-Chair

HISPANIC/LATINX

• We cultivate networking opportunities and use business relationships to strengthen the Firm’s connection to the Hispanic/Latino community
• We host events and support initiatives that address and educate about issues affecting the Hispanic/Latino community
• We actively support the recruitment, retention, and promotion of Hispanic/Latino attorneys
• We sponsor member attendance at the Hispanic National Bar Association annual conference

Carlos Ortiz
Chicago

LGBTQ+

• We support LGBTQ+ attorneys and allies by working with organizations and networks that address LGBTQ+ priorities in various communities
• We foster a firmwide sense of community through sponsorship and participation in a number of academic, professional, and social events and activities
• We provide informal cross-office mentoring networks to build ties among our group members
• We encourage LGBTQ+ recruitment efforts and relationship building with community partners

Evelyn Clark
Co-Chair

Matt Rudolphi
Co-Chair

MIDDLE EASTERN & ARAB AFFINITY GROUP

• We foster an inclusive culture that supports the long-term success of Middle Eastern and Arab attorneys.
• We provide opportunities for attendance at local, regional, and national events, programs, conferences, and seminars
• We cultivate networking opportunities and use business relationships to strengthen the Firm’s connection to Middle Eastern and Arab communities
• We work to increase the pipeline to attract, retain, and promote top talent

Fatima Khan
St. Louis

WORKING PARENT AFFINITY GROUP

• We foster a supportive culture to assist in the recruitment and retention of Thompson Coburn attorneys that are working parents
• We encourage supportive relationships among firm parents by providing a forum for attorneys to share information and resources
• We work to introduce initiatives that will specifically benefit our working parents
• We maintain a site on the Firm's intranet with useful news, initiatives, policies, benefits, contacts, and other relevant information
• We provide feedback and advocate for working parents on issues and policies identified by and relevant to Thompson Coburn working parents

Dawn Wright
Chair