The attorneys of Thompson Coburn LLP are supported by an experienced administrative staff, organized into seven functional categories: Client Relations, Finance, Information Systems, Human Resources, Library & Research, Office Operations and Practice Support Services. These resources are an integral component of the legal services we provide, and allow our attorneys to focus their time on serving our clients. All office functions and arrangements are coordinated by staff, who are led by Chief Operating Officer, Stephen Blackwell.

Stephen Blackwell has served as the Firm’s Chief Operating Officer since coming to Thompson Coburn in 2008.

Client Relations

A professional marketing staff supports our attorneys as they manage their client relationships and grow their business. This department is responsible for initiating and supporting the marketing efforts of the Firm, including strategic planning, business development coaching and support, media relations, advertising, internal communications, and community relations. The Client Relations staff includes marketing and business development professionals, graphic designers, writers and data analysts who provide sophisticated consultation and support for our marketing objectives.

Anne Schuster has served as the Firm’s Director of Client Relations since coming to Thompson Coburn in 2001.

Finance

Thompson Coburn has a Business Office managed by CPAs and degreed accountants who direct the Firm's accounting functions including financial recordkeeping, reporting and analysis, client billing, collections, budgets and forecasts, tax returns, payroll, and retirement plan administration. We work closely with clients who have specific billing requirements, including electronic data exchange.

Mary Ann Hallemann has served as the Firm’s Chief Financial Officer since coming to Thompson Coburn in 1980.

Human Resources

The department is made up of a professional staff of human resources, recruiting, benefits, HRIS, and administrative personnel who support our attorneys, paralegals and staff in the areas of recruitment, employee relations, benefits administration, diversity, and training and development. The staff also ensures compliance with firm policies and procedures applicable to all firm personnel.

Angela Schaefer has served as Director of Human Resources since March 2008.

Information Systems

Thompson Coburn is among the most technologically advanced law firms in the country. We are committed to partnering with our clients to utilize technology to their best advantage, whether executing favorable deals or winning in litigation matters. We have extensive experience and expertise in legal practice applications including work product development, case document management and retrieval systems, electronic discovery, and many practice specific applications. We are innovative users of emerging technology with the goal of providing efficient, effective service to our clients.

Our networking capabilities enable the Firm to effectively serve clients nationwide. We provide clients with electronic access to their information via secured Internet connections and, in some cases, enable clients to use our systems to assist them in managing case information. The Firm routinely works with clients to facilitate task-based electronic billing systems.

Thompson Coburn is an early adopter of high potential technologies. We were one of the first law firms to employ electronic imaging and presentation in a Federal courtroom in the early 1990’s and continue to press for innovative and cost effective litigation support technologies. The Firm has internal professional staff and equipment for cost effective preparation, production and presentation of graphics, photos, video, and multi-media electronic information to support litigation, intellectual property, real estate and other legal practice areas.

The Firm has an extensive intranet, providing a central resource for legal practice and administrative departments, enabling quick, efficient access to information and applications. Many of our attorneys and professionals carry wireless devices so that they have immediate access to their email, contacts and calendar wherever they are. All Firm offices have full video conferencing capabilities operating over our private wide area network.

Phil Rightler has served as the Firm’s Chief Information Officer since coming to Thompson Coburn in 1990.

Library Services

A professional library staff supports attorney research and firm-wide projects. The Firm maintains a library in each of its locations, with an extensive practice-based collection in the St. Louis office, and aggressively supports initiatives to provide an increasing proportion of required reference materials in electronic form on our attorney desktops. Using paper and electronic resources, the library delivers legal, legislative, business, and scientific information to the Firm. Serials management, circulation, cataloging and other library back office functions are fully automated. The staff promotes effective use of the Internet through our topical and alphabetical indices of internet resources and by organizing commercial, subscription-based and free sites for the end user.

In addition, our library staff provides training for attorneys and other staff members on the use of the paper and electronic collections, and works closely with information providers to ensure information is available to our users in the most innovative and cost-effective means.

Mary Kay Jung has served as the Firm’s Director of Library Services since coming to Thompson Coburn in 1989.

Office Operations

A seasoned administrative staff, providing facilities management, purchasing, word processing, secretarial, training, records management and mail/copy/fax services to all offices, eliminate the need for our attorneys to devote time to these issues. Office Operations ensures that proper support services are in place to assist the legal staff with the efficient delivery of service to our clients and the Firm.

Larry Schulte has served as the Firm’s Director of Office Operations since coming to Thompson Coburn in 1996.

Practice Support Services

A diverse pool of professional resources gives our attorneys the depth of support they need to provide the highest level of client service, and ensures that our clients benefit from cost-effective management of those legal services by channeling work to appropriate levels of support personnel. This approach reduces costs, while allowing our attorneys to focus entirely on case-related issues. The administrative umbrella of Practice Support Services covers the recruiting, development and management of the Firm’s paralegals, practice area assistants, and litigation clerks, and also provides practice-specific docketing services, patent and trademark illustration, medical consultation, legal investigation and other professional non-attorney services throughout the Firm’s offices.

Jacqueline O'Quinn has served as Thompson Coburn’s Director of Practice Support Services since November 2007.