Norma Jackson, Lesley Wynes promoted to new C-Suite positions for diversity and inclusion, legal talent

In recognition of Thompson Coburn’s continued commitment to diversity and inclusion and strategic growth, the Firm has created two new C-Suite positions, promoting Norma Jackson to Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer and Lesley Wynes to Chief Legal Talent Officer.

“We’re delighted to welcome Norma and Lesley to the senior levels of our administrative leadership team,” said Roger Flower, Thompson Coburn’s Chief Operating Officer. “In the short time that Norma and Lesley have been with us, these talented professionals have transformed our approach to two foundational aspects of the way we run our Firm and serve our clients: finding and retaining the best possible legal talent and creating a diverse and inclusive workplace for all of our employees.”

“These new positions recognize the hard work and passion Norma and Lesley have brought to their roles and Thompson Coburn’s investment in our outstanding team.”

Norma Jackson

In her role as Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Norma will lead Thompson Coburn’s continuing efforts to promote and support a diverse team and create an inclusive work environment in each of the Firm’s offices. Norma will also continue to oversee the development and execution of programs to enhance the professional development and continuing legal education needs of Thompson Coburn lawyers.

Norma joined Thompson Coburn in August 2018 from the University of Missouri system, where for 14 years she served in a number of recruitment and diversity-focused positions. During Norma’s tenure as Director of Diversity & Inclusion, Thompson Coburn expanded attorney affinity groups and pipeline programs, launched new and improved diversity-centered training programs for Firm personnel, and created a library of diversity awareness materials for internal and external use. As a result of these efforts, the Firm was selected as the 2019 recipient of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association’s (MCCA) George B. Vashon Innovator Award, a recognition for organizations that have made extraordinary strides to support diverse attorneys.

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.

Lesley Wynes

As Thompson Coburn’s first Chief Legal Talent Officer, Lesley will expand her recruiting efforts to all attorney hires at the Firm, from lateral partners to associates and counsel and to the law students selected for our summer associate program. She will continue to develop and implement innovative integration programs for new partners, all focused on building on attorneys’ individual strengths and connecting them with mentors and advocates across the Firm’s six offices.

Lesley joined Thompson Coburn in June 2019 after serving in a number of senior leadership roles at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and Pritzker School of Law. As Thompson Coburn's first Director of Partner Recruiting and Integration, Lesley has successfully recruited and integrated more than a dozen lateral partners and worked extensively on the launch and growth of the Firm’s Dallas office, which has nearly tripled in size since its founding in March 2020.

Lesley earned her B.A. from the University of Michigan and her J.D. from Harvard Law School. Early in her professional career, she was an associate with both the Wildman Harrold and McDermott, Will & Emery firms in Chicago.