Norma Jackson joins Thompson Coburn as Director of Diversity and Inclusion
August 30, 2018
Thompson Coburn is proud to announce that Norma Jackson has joined the Firm as Director of Diversity and Inclusion. Norma comes to Thompson Coburn from the University of Missouri system, where for 14 years she served in a number of recruitment and diversity-focused positions, most recently as the Director of Faculty and Professional Staff Diversity Enhancement and Engagement for the University’s College of Education.
At Thompson Coburn, Norma will assume a new director-level position that expands on the Firm’s longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace, in our work for clients and in the legal and business community as a whole.
“We are thrilled that Norma has joined us,” said Thompson Coburn Chairman Tom Minogue. “Over her years at the University of Missouri, Norma tirelessly pursued initiatives that sought to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for faculty, professional staff and students. We’re excited to see Norma take up our already robust diversity and inclusion programs and extend their reach and impact even further.”
In her time at the University of Missouri, Norma played an instrumental role in driving the College of Education’s efforts to respond to incidents of marginalization and racism on campus and rededicate its commitment to creating a welcoming environment for all members of its learning community. Norma led Difficult Dialogue Sessions for faculty and professional staff, coordinated a Diversity Champions program to recognize outstanding leaders in diversity and inclusion, and created The Bridge, the University of Missouri’s first standalone diversity and inclusion center within a college on campus.
Norma also served as co-chair of the College of Education’s Diversity Committee, which provided strategic direction for diversity efforts among the college’s stakeholders.
“Norma intimately understands the individual and institutional components of diversity, and how a meaningful interplay between the two helps us build strong, inclusive work environments where people of all backgrounds can thrive,” said Roger Flower, Thompson Coburn’s Chief Operating Officer. “We’re honored to work with Norma and excited to see her investment in our firmwide team.”
Norma attended the University of Missouri as an undergraduate. She obtained a dual Master of Arts in Human Resources Management and Human Resources Development from Webster University. In 2011, Norma earned a J.D. from the University of Missouri, attending law school while working full time at the university.
“I’m delighted to join the executive leadership of Thompson Coburn and proud that the Firm has elevated the issues of diversity and inclusion to a director-level position,” said Norma. “After my years of service in an academic environment, I’m excited to return to the corporate world in a role that allows me to combine my educational background in human resources and the law with my creativity and experience in the diversity arena. I can’t wait to get started.”
About Thompson Coburn
Thompson Coburn is a full-service law firm with nearly 380 attorneys practicing in more than 50 areas of law. With offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, Southern Illinois, St. Louis and Washington, D.C., the firm was named a top 30 law firm in the nation for exceptional client service in 2017 by BTI Consulting, the country’s leading provider of strategic research to law firms and general counsel.